The state of civics education in Canada is appalling. Many fail to understand the role of  the judiciary. - although I am sure a good deal of this misunderstanding is rhetoric.

When governments make bad laws, and citizens challenge these laws, and these challenges make their way all the way up to the Supreme Court, *then* the Judges make a ruling. If governments didn't make laws of political convenience then judges wouldn't strike them down. When governments fail to act at all - because the decision would alienate too many voters and citizens make a legal challenge, the courts have no choice but to rule on existing legislation.  

If you don't want or like "activist judges" insist your elected representatives do their jobs and do their jobs well. When they don't, toss them from office.  We don't need hastily created frivolous laws, and we don't need laws of political expediency. The Harper government created a lot to show they were "tough on crime", this is the result we get.