Unions, most racial minorities have left court empty-handed

While choosing Charter winners and losers is a subjective exercise -- many legal triumphs can be partial or Pyrrhic -- few would deny that one of the biggest losers has been the trade-union movement.

Activists who represent the poor and the homeless have also come away pretty much empty-handed, as have racial minorities -- with the exception of aboriginals.

"Topping the list of Charter winners are gays and lesbians, aboriginals and the women's movement. The latter has won major victories in how the courts have defined obscenity, in beating back protections for those charged with sexual assault, and in the area of equality.

LINK: Kirk Makin, Globe and Mail