The act applies to court proceedings conducted under federal law.
The act also applies in the provincial courts when they hear and determine matters under federal laws, notably under the Criminal Code,[2] a federal statute.
Each province has its own Evidence Act for matters under provincial law.
When a matter under provincial law is appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, the provincial Evidence Act governs, not the federal act.
The Canada Evidence Act incorporates the provincial law of evidence to supplement the provisions of the federal act, notably in the law relating to proof of service of documents.