Final answer:
The doctrine of precedent dictates that the Supreme Court of Canada must respect the decisions made in previous cases. The statement is false because the Court cannot decide cases in any way it sees fit without considering established precedents and legal interpretations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the doctrine of precedent, the statement that the Supreme Court of Canada is entitled to decide a case in any way it sees fit is False. The Supreme Court of Canada, like other courts, respects the doctrine of precedent, which means that it is bound by its previous decisions and the decisions of courts higher in the hierarchy. This adherence to precedent ensures consistency and predictability in the law (stare decisis). However, the Court does have the authority to overturn its own past decisions, although this happens rarely and usually only when there is a significant shift in law or social understanding.
While the Supreme Court is the "court of last resort," it primarily acts as a court of appeal, meaning that it reviews cases that have already been decided by lower courts. When making decisions, it considers past judicial interpretations and rules set by earlier cases. Nevertheless, given that the legal landscape evolves, the Supreme Court has the flexibility to make new precedents, particularly in response to changing times, public policy shifts, or when a previous ruling is deemed no longer relevant or correct.