April edition of eLex

The latest edition of eLex has just been published. Check it out for new online books, upcoming events, and our “legal research question of the month”.

Highlights: 

  • Two decisions on leases for cottages
  • CFS decision on which agency should represent the child where one parent is Indigenous and the other is not
  • Decision on the use of artificial intelligence in an immigration order

eLex November 2022

News

Discipline Digests

Manitoba Law Society Decisions

 

New Library Resources

New Online Titles

Indigenous People and the Criminal Justice System, 2nd Edition

“The second edition contains a new chapter devoted to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the experiences of FASD-affected individuals in the Canadian Criminal Justice system. It also includes a practical review of the 2019 Final Reports by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec: listening, reconciliation and progress. This bestseller also features expanded coverage of overrepresentation, sentencing, plea bargains, Gladue principles, and Charter challenges. 

Practitioners using this guide will be equipped with invaluable tools and the most up-to-date information designed to help them navigate cases involving Indigenous people within the Canadian criminal justice system.

This text is Volume 7 in Emond’s Criminal Law Series.”

 

Book Reviews

Review taken from the Canadian Law Library Review, Vol. 47 Issue 2

Canadian Animal Law. by V. Victoria Shroff. Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, 2021. 518 p. Includes table of contents, appendices, and index. ISBN 9780433507017 (softcover) $135.00.

Reviewed by Julie A. Lavigne, Legal Studies Librarian MacOdrum Library Carleton University

As one of the leaders in the field, Shroff draws on her experiences over the last 20-plus years in the courtroom, classroom, and media to show how animal law intersects with other, more traditional areas of law. Shroff makes the argument that, rather than a traditional, property-based conceptualization of how animals should be treated by the law, animal law should adopt a rights-based framework wherein animals are sentient beings with intrinsic worth.

While an interesting read, if you can only afford one text on animal law, this book may not be it. The lack of a complete, separate bibliography and paucity of academic citations limits its utility as a resource. However, it does provide a good overview of the legal landscape in animal law. It also makes a strong case for the idea that moving to a rights-based framework will help the law view animals as more than just mere property…”

 

Events

2022 Joint Wills and Estates Program: Fundamentals of Estate Planning and Will Drafting

December 1 & 2, 2022    |    9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   |   Law Society Classroom

In-person or Video Webinar

 

12 CPD Hours / 1.5 EPPM Hours Planning is well underway for a two-day CPD program of interest to lawyers who practice in the area of wills and estates. Preparing wills can seem deceptively easy to new practitioners, however, an aging population and the growth of estate litigation show that preparing wills can be fraught with hidden traps. With a slate of experienced practitioners to guide you, this program is here to help!

See below for more upcoming events.

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Substantive Law

Administrative Law

Manitoba Public Insurance Corp. v. Manitoba (Public Utilities Board) et al, 2022 MBCA 86: Motion by application for leave to appeal an order of the PUB involving changes to the driver safety rating system. Application argues the orders were issued outside the jurisdiction of the PUB. PUB ordered MPI to bring forward a plan, including implementation, for any changes to the driver safety rating model. Discussion of the role of PUB based on three interrelated statutes: The MPIC Act, The Crown Corporations Governance and Accountability Act, and The PUB Act. Appeal dismissed.

 Winnipeg (City of) et al v. Winnipeg Chinatown Development (1981) Corporation et al, 2022 MBCA 82: Chambers motion by appellant (City) seeking leave to appeal an order of the Municipal Board reducing the assessment of two properties. The Municipal Assessment Act, s. 63 allows for leave to appeal an order on a question of law or jurisdiction only (Gardentree Village Inc. v. Winnipeg (City) Assessor), 2008 MBCA 117). Application dismissed.

Colavito v. Manitoba (Workers Compensation Board), 2022 MBKB 203: Application to set aside Decision 75/21 and remit the matter back to the Commission for reconsideration. Standard of review is reasonableness. Grammond, J. restates the general principles articulated in Vavilov. Application dismissed.

 Paul Daly. A Defence of Administrative Law Doctrine, 2022 CanLIIDocs 3431.

 In this paper, I tackle one of the issues which featured in my first discussions with Professor Allan and subsequently animated many of our seminar sessions: doctrinal analysis in administrative law.

Civil Litigation

Annapolis Group Inc. v. Halifax Regional Municipality, 2022 SCC 36: Issue of constructive taking of private property by a public authority. Appellant compiled a large parcel of land over decades with the intention of developing it. Respondent municipality adopted a planning strategy including these lands, to guide development. A portion was reserved for possible future inclusion in a regional park. Review of Canadian Pacific Railway Co. v. Vancouver (City), 2006 SCC 5. Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, CôtéBrown and Rowe JJ:

 [1] This appeal calls upon the Court to clarify the circumstances in which state regulation of land use may effect a de facto or (as we will refer to it) “constructive” taking of private property.

[4] We would allow Annapolis’ appeal. The Court of Appeal, in our respectful view, misapplied CPR and summary judgment principles. Read in harmony with the jurisprudence upon which it was decided, CPR signifies that a constructive taking occurs where: (1) a beneficial interest — understood as an advantage — in respect of private property accrues to the state, which may arise where the use of such property is regulated in a manner that permits its enjoyment as a public resource; and (2) the impugned regulatory measure removes all reasonable uses of the private property at issue. Further, the Court of Appeal erred by holding that Halifax’s intention is irrelevant to applying the second part of that analysis. This leaves genuine issues of material fact arising from Annapolis’ claim to be tried.

Per Karakatsanis, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ. (dissenting):

 [83] Annapolis Group Inc. has asked this Court to depart from this precedent. It urges the Court to allow its appeal from the order of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal granting partial summary judgment dismissing its claim against Halifax Regional Municipality for a de facto taking of its lands. Annapolis invited — and needs — this Court to depart from CPR for its claim to proceed to trial.

[90] In our view, this appeal should be dismissed. There is no material fact in dispute on either branch of the CPR test for a de facto taking. First, Halifax has acquired no beneficial interest in the Annapolis Lands or flowing from them. It has simply refused to up-zone the lands. Second, the uncontradicted evidence is that Annapolis has been deprived of no reasonable uses — let alone all reasonable uses — of its lands. The zoning and uses of the Annapolis Lands remain entirely unchanged. 

O’Connor v. Amenity Pharmacy Inc. et al, 2022 MBCA 88: Appeal by defendants of motion judge’s dismissal of their request for summary judgment. Motion judge determined a trial was necessary. Appeal dismissed.

Brandon Condominium Corporation No. 68 v. T.J.R. Investment Holdings Ltd., 2022 MBCA 87: Motion for rehearing under r. 46.2 of the Court of Appeal rules on the basis that there was a misapprehension of the evidence. Dispute over amount of parking available for commercial units in a condominium complex. Parties each submitted a plan of the parking lot showing available units. In their argument for a rehearing, respondent enlarged their map showing better detail indicating that their interpretation of available parking units was correct. Reference sent to a Master to account for parking revenue owing to the condominium corporation.

Beaulieu v. Winnipeg (City of), 2022 MBCA 81: Appeal of decision finding the City and a member of WPS guilty of torts committed against the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs cross appeal trial judge’s finding that the son was not falsely imprisoned, as well as the award of damages. CA found that trial judge did not have all the evidence necessary to properly assess the credibility of the police officers. Explanation of the test for the admission of further evidence on appeal in a civil case. Discussion of the possible remedies: ordering a new trial or CA making its own assessment of the evidence and final determination of the issues. New trial ordered. 

StorageVault Canada Inc. v. Keystone Western Inc., 2022 MBKB 206: Claim over unpaid rent; issue of whether the defendant entitled to terminate their lease because of the landlord’s noncompliance with the City of Winnipeg’s by-laws. Plaintiff landlord purchased a building with multi-tenants. Defendant stayed on and entered into a new lease, but left before it expired. Plaintiff discovered it was not in compliance with the city and set out to rectify it. Martin, J. found the lease was not void or unenforceable based on principles of illegality. Plaintiff is entitled to damages for unpaid rent plus interest.

Perdue v. MacDonald, 2022 MBKB 204: Plaintiff suing doctor over unsuccessful knee surgery using a graft from a deceased donor, which subsequently became infected. Plaintiff claims that she was not fully informed of the planned procedure. To be successful, plaintiff must prove that the doctor failed in obtaining consent; that a reasonable person would not have consented to the procedure; and that the procedure caused the infection. Bond, J. concluded that the plaintiff failed on all three counts. Claim dismissed. 

Tuxedo Yards Development Corp., et al v. Canadian National Railway Company, 2022 MBKB 193: Motion for dismissal of action for long delay (Rules 24.01 and 24.02). Analysis reviews Court of Appeal decisions of Buhr v. Buhr, 2021 MBCA 63 and WRE Development Ltd. v. Lafarge Canada Inc., 2022 MBCA 11. Master Goldenberg applied the functional test as defined in Buhr. Action dismissed for long delay.

Canadian Federation of Students et al. v. The University of Manitoba Students’ Union, 2022 MBKB 197: Motion for interlocutory injunction to prohibit UMSU from conducting a referendum. Test is the one set out in RJR-MacDonald Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), [1994] 1 SCR 311. Motion dismissed.

Amanda Jerome. “Rights-of-way” Easement from 1930s Limited to Construction of Water Pipeline, Court Rules. The Lawyer’s Daily, 13 October 2022. Dismissal of application for a declaration confirming that a written easement for a parcel of land next to a farm permits construction and maintenance of an access road for residential purposes. Comment on Bairn Corporation v. Gabert, 2022 ABKB 668.

Erika Chamberlain. Case Annotation: Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. v. Ontario. (2022) 85 C.C.L.T. (4th) 57 (WLC – LSM members can request a copy.)

 Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. v. Ontario [2022 ONCA 579] is one of the rare decisions that has imposed a duty of care on a public authority based on its close and direct interactions with the plaintiff. It is also one of the rare decisions in which the plaintiff’s private interests were not trumped by the defendant’s obligation to protect the overarching public interest. Instead, the Ontario Court of Appeal affirmed and applied the principle that, “[a]s a general rule, the traditional tort law duty of care will apply to a government agency in the same way that it will apply to an individual.”

Criminal Law

R. v. Sharma, 2022 SCC 39: Whether an offender can plead guilty to the offence of importing cocaine and receive a conditional sentence. In 2012, Parliament amended conditional sentencing to exclude certain serious offences; these amendments prevented the accused from receiving a conditional sentence. PerWagner C.J. and Moldaver, Côté,Brown and Rowe JJ.:

 [3] We would allow the appeal and restore the sentencing judge’s order. The impugned provisions do not limit Ms. Sharma’s s. 15(1) rights. While the crisis of Indigenous incarceration is undeniable, Ms. Sharma did not demonstrate that the impugned provisions created or contributed to a disproportionate impact on Indigenous offenders, relative to non‑Indigenous offenders, as she must show at the first step of the s. 15(1) analysis.

 [4]  Nor do the impugned provisions limit Ms. Sharma’s s. 7 rights. Their purpose is to enhance consistency in the conditional sentencing regime by making imprisonment the typical punishment for certain serious offences and categories of offences. And that is what they do. Maximum sentences are a reasonable proxy for the seriousness of an offence and, accordingly, the provisions do not deprive individuals of their liberty in circumstances that bear no connection to their objective.

Per Karakatsanis, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ. (dissenting):

 [115] Sentencing law cannot erase this country’s colonial past. Nor can it remove the causes behind an offender’s crime. But it is uniquely positioned to ameliorate — or aggravate — the racial inequalities in our criminal justice system. Ensuring that Canadian sentencing provisions are consistent with the liberty and equality guarantees under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is therefore essential. This case requires us to do so.

[119] As the Crown has justified neither infringement under s. 1 of the Charter, I would conclude that the provisions are unconstitutional and would uphold the Court of Appeal’s declaration that they are of no force and effect under s. 52(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982. I would, accordingly, dismiss the appeal.

R. v. Ndhlovu, 2022 SCC 38: Challenge to the constitutionality of mandatory lifetime registration in the national sex offender registry created by SOIRA. Per Karakatsanis, Rowe, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ.:

[6] This appeal requires this Court to determine whether Parliament complied with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms when it chose to remove prosecutorial and judicial discretion from s. 490.012 and introduced, under s. 490.013(2.1), lifetime registration for offenders convicted of more than one designated sexual offence. Through s. 490.012, Parliament sought to capture information about offenders that may assist police prevent and investigate sexual offences. Similarly, s. 490.013(2.1) is designed to give police a longer period of access to information on offenders at a greater risk of reoffending.

[12] We would allow the appeal and declare ss. 490.012 and 490.013(2.1) of no force or effect under s. 52(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982. A one-year suspension of the declaration is appropriate for mandatory registration, given concerns about public safety and the many ways Parliament could remedy the provision’s overbreadth. An immediate declaration, however, is warranted for lifetime registration for offenders convicted of more than one offence.

Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Côté and Brown JJ. (dissenting in part):

[145] I depart from the majority, however, on the constitutionality of s. 490.012. In finding it unconstitutional, my colleagues fixate on the removal of judicial discretion to exempt offenders who do not pose an “increased risk” to reoffend. But the exercise of discretion was the very problem that prompted Parliament to amend the Criminal Code to provide for automatic registration of sex offenders under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, S.C. 2004, c. 10 (“SOIRA”). Specifically, many judges had exercised their discretion to exempt offenders in a manifestly improper manner, and the Registry’s low inclusion rate undermined its efficacy. The evidence is clear that even low risk sex offenders, relative to the general criminal population, pose a heightened risk to commit another sexual offence. It is also clear that it cannot be reliably predicted at the time of sentencing which offenders will reoffend. In the face of that uncertain risk, Parliament was entitled to cast a wide net.

R. v. Nahanee, 2022 SCC 37: Contested sentencing hearing: after pleading guilty, judge imposed a sentence that exceeded the range proposed by the Crown. Issue of whether the sentencing judge was required to give notice to the parties if they intended to impose a sentence in excess of the range proposed by the Crown. PerWagner C.J. and Moldaver, Brown, Rowe, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ.:

 [1] Where the Crown and the defence propose a specific agreed-upon sentence to a judge in exchange for an accused’s guilty plea, a stringent test, known as the “public interest” test, exists to protect that submission. The test, adopted by this Court in R. v. Anthony-Cook2016 SCC 43, [2016] 2 S.C.R. 204, instructs judges not to depart from a joint submission unless the proposed sentence would bring the administration of justice into disrepute, or is otherwise contrary to the public interest. Sentencing judges must not reject a joint submission lightly. They should only do so where the proposed sentence would be viewed by reasonable and informed persons as a breakdown in the proper functioning of the justice system.

 [5] In the instant case, the sentencing judge imposed a global sentence of eight years on Mr. Nahanee for repeated sexual assaults of his two teenage nieces. This sentence exceeded the upper end of the sentencing range proposed by the Crown by two years. The sentencing judge did not provide notice that she planned to exceed the upper end of the Crown range, nor did she provide an opportunity for further submissions. Nonetheless, in my view, Mr. Nahanee has not shown that there was information he could have provided that would have impacted on the sentence; nor do the reasons of the sentencing judge disclose error. I would accordingly dismiss the appeal.

  Per Karakatsanis and Côté JJ. (dissenting):

 [74] Sentencing is a dynamic process in which the art of advocacy, the adversarial context, and the parties’ legitimate expectations play an important role; the parties are entitled to put their best foot forward to respond to the case they must meet. They must be able to address a point of fact or law that is of concern to the sentencing judge, and which could result in a more severe deprivation of liberty. Where this is not done, there is a breach of the duty of procedural fairness which, in itself, will generally warrant appellate intervention. In such a case, the appellate court should conduct a fresh assessment to determine a fit sentence.

 

R. v. Tessier, 2022 SCC 35: Admissibility of statements under the confessions rule; when suspects should receive a caution when speaking with police. Issue of when police considered person a suspect. Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Côté, Rowe, Kasirer and Jamal JJ:

 [3] The principal issue raised on appeal to the Court is whether the Crown met its heavy burden to show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Mr. Tessier’s statements were voluntary pursuant to the common law confessions rule. The Court of Appeal said the trial judge failed to address the key question in this case: whether, in the absence of a caution, Mr. Tessier had been denied a meaningful choice to speak to the police “knowing that he was not required to answer police questions, or that anything he did say would be taken down and could be used in evidence” (2020 ABCA 289, 12 Alta. L.R. (7th) 55, at para. 54 (emphasis in original)). The appeal bears upon two related doctrinal questions under the confessions rule: first, the requirements of the operating mind doctrine and, second, the impact of the absence of a caution on voluntariness prior to detention or arrest.

[13] For the reasons that follow, I propose to restore Mr. Tessier’s conviction for first degree murder rendered by the jury. I agree with the Court of Appeal that some of the trial judge’s explanations of the voluntariness rule were incomplete. However, with the utmost respect, I disagree that these amounted to reviewable legal errors that undermined the finding at trial that Mr. Tessier’s statements to the police were voluntarily made. Even in the absence of a caution, and even if one were to consider Mr. Tessier to have been a suspect at the time of questioning, the record confirms that the trial judge’s determination on voluntariness should not have been disturbed on appeal.

 Per Brown and Martin, JJ. (dissenting):

 [126] Applying our restated test, the question in this case becomes whether Mr. Tessier spoke to police voluntarily with awareness about what was at stake. In our view, he did not. When the police contacted him to secure information in relation to their homicide investigation, he was not initially informed that he was not required to speak to police and that what he said could be used as evidence. Further, both the officer’s adversarial questioning and the information pointing to Mr. Tessier as a suspect increased his objective risk of self-incrimination. As the majority acknowledges (at para. 61), the trial judge committed palpable errors by ignoring key information that would have raised a reasonable suspicion that Mr. Tessier committed the crime. The Crown failed to rebut the presumption of involuntariness, and the statements should not have been admitted. We would therefore dismiss the appeal and confirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal setting aside the conviction and ordering a new trial.

R. v. Schneider, 2022 SCC 34: Admissibility of hearsay evidence; whether trial judge erred in admitting overheard statements into evidence. Analysis of the legal framework for admissibility of evidence in a criminal trial and discussion of exclusionary rules. Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Côté, Brown, Rowe, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ:

 [6] The Crown asks this Court to allow the appeal and restore the conviction. I would do so. The trial judge did not err in admitting this part of the brother’s evidence. There is no basis in law to differentiate between “micro” and “macro” context when determining whether evidence is capable of meaning and, therefore, relevant. All the evidence is capable of informing a judge’s analysis of this question.

 Per Karakatsanis and Brown JJ (dissenting):

 [89]  We would dismiss this appeal. We do not disagree with our colleagues’ framework for assessing relevance and probative value. What divides us is its application here. In our view, for the reasons of Justice Goepel at the Court of Appeal, a jury could not ascertain the meaning or relevance of the overheard statements (2021 BCCA 41, 400 C.C.C. (3d) 131). As well, their prejudicial effect outweighed any tenuous probative value they may have had. The overheard statements were inadmissible.

R. v. Krywonizka, 2022 MBCA 85: Appeal by Crown of conditional sentence imposed following guilty plea to six counts of firearms-related offences. Judicial consideration of the proper approach to sentencing for multiple offences, thus determining whether a sentence should be concurrent or consecutive. Leave to appeal the sentence granted, appeal dismissed.

R. v. Soroush et al, 2022 MBCA 84: Appeal of convictions by a jury for first degree murder (3) and second degree murder (1). Issues raised include the sufficiency of the jury charge and correctness of certain rulings. Some issues overlap different accused and could affect all convictions. CA analysed each issue separately. Appeal dismissed.

R. v. Neak Ngen, 2022 MBCA 83: Appeal of conviction for sexual assault alleging ineffective assistance from trial counsel. Accused alleges he asked for an interpreter when meeting with his lawyer and did not understand why he was not given the option to testify. Trial counsel denies they had difficulty communicating. Appeal dismissed.

R. v. Barca, 2022 MBCA 80: Accused appealing conviction for careless use of a firearm, and seeking leave to appeal his sentence. Crown is appealing acquittal of reckless discharge of a firearm. RCMP arrived at a rural residence in response to a 911 hang up wellness call. Accused shot at them; they left then returned with backup. Significant analysis of judicial consideration of “recklessness”. Examination of possible remedies. Accused appeals dismissed; Crown appeal allowed, CA determined sentence.

R. v. Lavallee, 2022 MBCA 79: Appeal over conviction for criminal contempt of court and request for leave to appeal sentence. This decision only concerns the conviction. Contemnor entered a guilty plea to the offence of contempt. Defence argued that she essentially purged that contempt. CA agreed with trial judge; conviction appeal dismissed.

R. v. Fox, 2022 MBKB 207: Sentencing decision for conviction of second-degree murder. The offence carries a mandatory life sentence, with the only issue left to determine is the length of time before the accused is eligible for parole. Crown argues for 16 years; defence argues it should remain at the 10 year minimum. Discussion of whether a sentencing decision is an appropriate vehicle to comment on systemic racism in the parole system. Champagne, J. decides it is not appropriate. Considering aggravating and mitigating factors, appropriate period of parole ineligibility is determined to be 15 years.

R. v. V. (R.), 2022 MBKB 190: Sentencing decision for conviction for several sexual offences against a child. Crown seeks a custodial sentence of 12 years; defence seeks six to seven years in custody. Objectives of denunciation and deterrence are the primary considerations; statutory prescribed minimum and maximum sentences of one year and 14 years must also be taken into consideration. Consideration of the guidelines as set out in R. v. Friesen, 2020 SCC 9. Taking into account aggravating and mitigating factors, Kroft, J. imposes a 10 year custodial sentence.

R. v. Gamblin, 2022 MBKB 187: Accused tried for second degree murder. Question in this case is whether the Crown proved the accused is the person responsible. Analysis of the witnesses’ testimony and video evidence presented by the police. Keyser, J. found Crown successfully proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

R. v. Desilva, 2022 MBPC 51: Decision on validity of search warrant. ITO was based on information from a confidential informant. Accused argues information in the ITO did not disclose reasonable grounds to believe that an offence was committed. Summary of test as set out in R. v. Pilbeam, 2018 MBCA 128. Analysis of the credibility of the information as well as whether it was corroborated. Based on totality of the circumstances, judge found that the ITO was not sufficient and the search breached the accused’s s.8 Charter rights.

R. v J.W., 2022 MBPC 49: Sentencing decision where accused was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm after a trial. Victim was his 21 month old stepson. Denunciation and deterrence are the primary sentencing objectives for offences involving the abuse of children. Crown seeks a sentence of four years; defence argues one year followed by two years of supervised probation is appropriate. Frederickson, P.J. orders a custodial sentence of 22 months, followed by a period of supervised probation for two years.

R. v L.J.D., 2022 MBPC 48: Sentencing decision after accused entered guilty pleas to charges for sexual interference and aggravated assault. Offences took place separated by a number of years. Victim of sexual interference was a young child. Victim of assault was severely injured and is now paraplegic. Harvie, P.J. considered caselaw, aggravating and mitigating factors and the principle of totality. Accused is sentenced to 10 years for aggravated assault served consecutively to the sexual interference sentence of four years. Sexual interference sentence reduced by one year for totality.

R. v. Caribou and Olenick, 2022 MBPC 45: Accused are jointly charged with possessing stolen property and multiple firearms offences. They were pulled over on a traffic stop. Vehicle (a scooter) was determined to be stolen. Search of a purse and backpack turned up firearms. Ms. Caribou pleaded guilty to some of her charges and testified; Mr. Olenick did not. Credibility of witness’s testimony at issue. Lord, A.C.P.J. accepted her explanations. Mr. Olenick convicted of all charges.

Brandon Trask and Evan Podaima. Blurred Lines: A Critical Examination of the Use of Police Officers and Police Employees as Expert Witnesses in Criminal Trials. (2021) 44-6 Man. L. J. 48.

This paper analyzes recent Canadian case law in relation to the use of expert witnesses and determines that structure-related concerns ultimately pertaining to bias have played a significant role in court determinations as to the admissibility of expert evidence. Guided by this finding, the authors propose a new two-stream expert structure in order to present a model for proactively reducing concerns relating to impartiality, independence, and bias about experts called by the Crown.

 Lisa Silver. What did you say? Making Sense of the Admissibility of Evidence in R. v. Schneider. ABlawg.ca, 13 October 2022. Case comment on R. v. Schneider, 2022 SCC 34.

Family Law

K.T.S. v. CFS Central Manitoba, 2022 MBKB 201: Application opposing entry of name on the Child Abuse Registry. Issue is whether the applicant abused the child within the meaning of The Child and Family Services Act, C.C.S.M. c. C80, s.19(3.7). Decision is final and not subject to appeal. Agency has the burden of proof on a balance of probabilities. Abel, J. found that the applicant had abused the child, therefore her name will be placed on the registry.

 J.D.R. v. A.N.R., 2022 MBKB 200: Respondent seeks to vary a final order made by consent in 2020. Order provided that the parties shared care and control of their child and that the child continue to attend school in a particular location. Respondent requests this provision be deleted and replaced with a term granting her the right to make the final decision re education, and to change the location of the child’s school. Thomson, J. finds that there has not been a material change in circumstances; motion dismissed.

 Ryan v. Ryan, 2022 MBKB 198: Request by petitioner for respondent’s counsel and her firm to be disqualified as solicitors of record; and a determination whether a Master has jurisdiction to adjudicate motions for removal of counsel. Petitioner first approached a lawyer at respondent’s family business law firm and shared financial and property information with him. Lawyer prepared a Homestead Notice. Lawyer eventually realized there was a conflict and advised petitioner to seek new counsel. Respondent sought representation from same law firm. Master declined to hear petitioner’s motion for disqualification of the law firm. Hatch, A.C.J. found that the Master does have jurisdiction to adjudicate motions for removal of counsel due to a conflict of interest; and respondent’s lawyer and law firm are disqualified from acting against the petitioner.

 Loader v. Loader, 2022 MBKB 195: Dispute about Master’s jurisdiction to determine the nature of a bank account, in petitioner’s name. Respondent alleges the account is joint property. Petitioner alleges that he is holding the money in trust for his mother. Respondent wants the matter referred to the Master along with other issues that will be referred to the Master. Petitioner says the Master has no jurisdiction. Leven, J. agrees with respondent that it is allowed under the Rules, and is the option most consistent with proportionality.

 Katherine Cooligan, Brad Yaeger. A Look at Recent Developments in the Law of Contempt. (2022) 41 C.F.L.Q. 77. (WLC – LSM members can request a copy.)

 This discussion paper offers a combination of narrative commentary and empirical research, based on a comprehensive and ongoing review of recent jurisprudence across Canada. I provide a high-level overview of recent developments in the law, consolidate some of the key principles emerging from the jurisprudence and comment briefly on how select cases have applied (or neglected to apply) those principles. This review reveals both notable trends and some disparity in judicial treatment. 

 Terry Davidson. N.B. Appeal Court Ruling Examines Delay in Timelines in Child Protection Matters: Lawyer. The Lawyer’s Daily, 6 October 2022. Comment on R. D. v. The Minister of Social Development, 2022 NBCA 56. Judicial analysis of delay where children had been taken into protective custody.

Labour and Employment Law

Bartel-Zobarich v. Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP-Bargaining Unit) et al, 2022 MBCA 64: Application for an extension of time to file notices of appeal. Respondents were successful in having motions granted to strike out the notice of application and statement of claim without leave to amend as well as declaring the applicant to be a vexatious litigant. Applicant was terminated for cause in January 2012; grievance was settled in January 2014. Applicant takes position grievance was settled without her knowledge. Analysis of whether the applicant showed a continuous intention to appeal and whether she had a reasonable explanation for the delay. Motion denied.

Pokornik v. SkipTheDishes Restaurant Services Inc., 2022 MBKB 178: Action seeking various heads of relief including a declaration that the plaintiff is an employee and not an independent contractor, and an order certifying this proceeding as a class action. Defendant moves for an order staying the action in favour of arbitration. Plaintiff originally contracted with the defendant in 2014. Original agreement contained no arbitration agreement. In 2018, agreement was changed to require disputes be resolved through arbitration. Plaintiff was required to accept the change in order to continue to offer services through the app. Analysis of s. 7(1) of The Arbitration Act to determine which agreement governs the relationship. Chartier, J. decides in favour of the plaintiff.

Scope of the Inquest Hearing Decision (Anderson), 2022 MBPC 46: Motion by the City of Thompson and Thompson Fire and Emergency Services to modify the scope of the inquest to remove the issue of determining whether Mr. Anderson’s death was preventable if there had been more timely medical intervention; and whether the original scope should be revised to have as its primary focus a review of the coordination of a multi-agency response to a serious incident in a remote setting in Manitoba. Situation arose over the death of the conductor of a freight train after the train derailed in a remote area of the rail line. Review of the law concerning the scope of an inquest. Opinion of the Chief Medical Examiner changed after the inquest was called; Killeen, P.J. finds that to be a material change, and scope is changed.

Eric Tucker. Competition and Labour Law in Canada: Patrolling the Boundaries. (preprint – published as Competition and Labour Law in Canada: The Contestable Margins of Legal Toleration, in S. Paul, S. McCrystal, & E. McGaughey (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Labour in Competition Law (Cambridge Law Handbooks, pp. 127-140, 2022)).

In Canada, as in most advanced capitalist countries, the right of workers to engage in collective action has been partially immunized from competition law, one of the basic norms of capitalist legality. The “zone of toleration”, however, has been contested over time and poses a recurring regulatory dilemma that stems from labour’s commodity status in capitalism.

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Estate of Mike Tarabalka Senior, 2022 MBKB 199: Application to pass accounts for a modest estate. One beneficiary is contesting it. Accounts approved. The Master ordered half of the lawyer’s fees to be paid from the contesting party’s share.

 Estate of Walter Konyk, 2022 MBKB 192: Dispute over validity of will. Deceased rewrote his will a year before passing away, making major changes. A beneficiary and proposed executor of a previous will applied to challenge the will based on lack of capacity and undue influence. Discussion of whether a trial is required. Application included lengthy briefs as well as oral arguments. Suche, J. found that the will is valid, and application dismissed.

 Trevor Courtis. One Rule, Less Golf: Clublink kand the Rule Against Perpetuities. 2022 100-2 C.B.R. 316.

 The article surveys the rule against perpetuities in Canada and its recent application by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in Ottawa (City) v. ClubLink Corporation ULC. The application of the rule across Canada is a complex patchwork as the traditional common law rule has been modified or abolished by statute in many jurisdictions. The article summarizes the approaches that have been taken in the various Canadian provinces. The article concludes that the decision in ClubLink provides helpful clarity on determining whether an interest in land has been created and when the rule against perpetuities applies.

Legislation

Federal

Recent Activity

Bill Number

LongTitle

StatusName

S-245

An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians)

At second reading in the House of Commons

C-32

An Act to implement certain provisions of the fall economic statement tabled in Parliament on November 3, 2022 and certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022

At second reading in the House of Commons

C-27

An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts

At second reading in the House of Commons

S-246

An Act respecting Lebanese Heritage Month

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-242

An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-238

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (information about the victim)

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-231

An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Criminal Records Act, the National Defence Act and the DNA Identification Act

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-230

An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-212

An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-220

An Act to amend the Languages Skills Act (Governor General)

At second reading in the Senate

S-236

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (Prince Edward Island)

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-5

An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

C-5

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

At third reading in the Senate

C-31

An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing

At consideration in committee in the Senate

C-20

An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments

At second reading in the House of Commons

C-228

An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985

At report stage in the House of Commons

 

Provincial

Recently Passed Bills

No. Sponsored by As proposed   (Click PDF for the bilingual version)
13 Hon. Ms. Squires
Minister of Families
The Social Services Appeal Board Amendment Act PDF
14 Hon. Mr. Goertzen
Minister of Justice
The Drivers and Vehicles Amendment, Highway Traffic Amendment and Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Amendment Act PDF
22 Hon. Mr. Wharton
Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks
The Environment Amendment Act (Pesticide Restrictions) PDF
24 Hon. Mr. Helwer
Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services
The Real Property Valuation Board and Related Amendments Act PDF
36 Hon. Mr. Friesen
Minister of Finance
The Manitoba Hydro Amendment and Public Utilities Board Amendment Act
 amendment(s) adopted at Committee Stage
PDF
40 Hon. Ms. Squires
Minister of Families
The Hospitality Sector Customer Registry Act and Amendments to The Child and Family Services Act and The Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act
 amendment(s) adopted at Committee Stage
PDF
43 Hon. Ms. Squires
Minister of Families
The Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act PDF
45 Hon. Mr. Friesen
Minister of Finance
The Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 PDF
46 Hon. Mr. Piwniuk
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
The Highway Traffic Amendment Act PDF
47 Hon. Mr. Friesen
Minister of Finance
The Appropriation Act, 2022 PDF
208 Ms. Lamoureux The Teachers’ Pensions Amendment Act PDF
233 Mr. Wishart The Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Amendment Act PDF
240 Mr. Schuler The Jewish Heritage Month Act PDF

 

REGULATIONS

Number Title Registered Published
126/2022 Moose Conservation Closure Regulation, amendment 14 Oct. 2022 14 Oct. 2022
127/2022 Court of Appeal Rules, amendment 31 Oct. 2022 31 Oct. 2022
128/2022 Allocation of Hunting Licences Regulation, amendment 3 Nov. 2022 3 Nov. 2022
129/2022 General Hunting Regulation, amendment 3 Nov. 2022 3 Nov. 2022
130/2022 Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits Regulation, amendment 3 Nov. 2022 3 Nov. 2022
131/2022 Airport Vicinity Protection Area Regulation, amendment 4 Nov. 2022 4 Nov. 2022
132/2022 Pharmaceutical Regulation, amendment 4 Nov. 2022 4 Nov. 2022

eLex October 2022

News

Retirement Gala for the Chief Justice of Manitoba, Richard Chartier  – The Honourable Richard Chartier is retiring this fall as Chief Justice of Manitoba. Do not miss this special evening with guest speaker The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada.

The 4th Session of the 42nd Legislature resumed on September 28, 2022. – Hydro Rates, Health Care Dominate Debate as Manitoba Legislature Begins Fall Sitting By Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press

New Probate Rule Amendments Coming Into Effect – On October 1, 2022, amendments to King’s Bench Rules 74 and 75, regarding Probate, come into effect. The primary objective of the new rules is to eliminate jargon and use plain language to make the rules easier to understand. See our blog post for more info.

Discipline Digests

Manitoba Law Society Decisions

 

New Library Resources

New In Print

Power of Attorney Litigation -- 2nd ed.

"With a growing number of Canadians facing loss of capacity, the need to protect those who are no longer capable of managing their own affairs has never been greater. In this second edition of Power of Attorney Litigation, leading estate litigators Ian M. Hull and Suzana Popovic-Montag provide a comprehensive yet concise overview of power of attorney law and the litigation process, enhanced by discussion of the leading caselaw.

By comparing the applicable legislation in multiple provinces and providing direct and insightful explanations of legal concepts like capacity, the duties of attorneys and gifting, authors Hull and Popovic-Montag not only make this complex area of law accessible, but also engaging. Power of Attorney Litigation, 2nd Edition additionally explores procedural matters inherent in power of attorney litigation, including procedure, costs, remedies, and strategy." - from publisher's website

New Online Titles

These new titles from Irwin Law are now available on vLex.

Available in the Library Resources section of the Member’s Portal

 

International Law, Doctrine, Practice, and Theory – Third edition  By Craig Forcese. Irwin Law Inc.2022 – “International Law: Doctrine, Practice, and Theory is an innovative and unique volume which crosses the traditional boundaries between textbook, casebook, and scholarly monograph. The book is designed primarily as an introduction to the system and substance of international law. It is also a convenient and comprehensive reference work on the most important aspects of this burgeoning field. The book includes introductory materials on the nature, history, and theory of international law from an international relations, as well as a legal, perspective. Carefully selected and edited primary materials — including treaties, UN documents, and cases — take readers to the very sources of the rules and principles that comprise modern international law. ” – publisher’s decription

Criminal Law — 8th edition By Kent Roach Irwin Law Inc.2022 – “Since the publication of the first edition in 1996, Criminal Law by Kent Roach has become one of the most highly regarded titles in Irwin Law’s Essentials of Canadian Law series. Professor Roach’s account of the current state of substantive criminal law in Canada has become essential reading not only in law schools, but also among judges, practitioners, and others involved in the criminal justice system. The eighth edition of Criminal Law has been thoroughly updated to include new developments. It includes a detailed discussion of R v Brown striking down restrictions on the extreme intoxication defence and the likely parliamentary reply, and Parliament’s reply in Bill C-28. It also examines changes in jury selection upheld in R v Chouhan; important decisions on fault, such as R v Zora, R v Javanmardi, R v Chung, and R v Goforth; and assesses R v Cowan on parties. The discussion of sexual assault has been updated to take into account R v Barton and the possible implications of R v Morrison. The Supreme Court’s first decision under the amended self-defence provisions in R v Khill is reviewed. This new edition also has been revised to include important decisions from the Ontario and Nova Scotia Courts of Appeal on sentencing Black offenders, as well as the Supreme Court’s striking down of mandatory minimum fine surcharges and stacking of twenty-five-year periods of parole ineligibility.”

Book Reviews

Review taken from the Canadian Law Library Review, Vol. 47 Issue 2

Performing Copyright: Law, Theatre and Auhorship. By Luke McDonagh. Oxford, U.K.: Hart, 2021. xxix, 202 p. Includes bibliographic references, table of cases, table of legislation, and index. ISBN 9781509927036 (hardcover) $135.85; ISBN 9781509949168 (softcover) $69.75; ISBN 9781509927050 (ePUB & Mobi) $108.68; ISBN 9781509927043 (PDF) $108.68.

Reviewed By Domininque Garingan. Library Manager, Calgary Parlee McLaws LLP

Performing Copyright is a thesis on intellectual property law and the evolution of its application to modern theatre. McDonagh focuses the study on theatre in the U.K. and begins the discussion of law, theatre, ownership, and authorship in the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras and ends it in the present-day U.K. theatre community….

The crux of Performing Copyright highlights theatre as an example of the need to consider the mutual influence between intellectual property laws and the communities of practice to which they apply. The historical evolution of play manuscript publication, artistic and dramatic works, rights afforded to authors, and rights afforded to performers have all, in varying degrees, influenced copyright and performance rights in contemporary theatre.”

 

Events

Access to Justice Week

New ~ Registration for National Access to Justice Week is now open!

The Law Society of Manitoba is excited to partner with the Manitoba Bar Association and the University of Manitoba for the third annual National Access to Justice Week. Together Manitoba will offer four free engaging virtual events open to the public.

On Tuesday, October 25 the Law Society will host a conversation highlighting the latest research findings on People-Centred Data Collection studies featuring Susan McDonald from Justice Canada.

More Upcoming Events October 24 – 28, 2022

Monday, Oct 24 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. (CDT) Dispute Resolution at Administrative Tribunals in Manitoba
Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association
Tuesday, Oct 25 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. (CDT) People-Centred Data Collection
Hosted by The Law Society of Manitoba
Wednesday, Oct 26 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. (CDT) Access to Justice Clinics and Organizations in Manitoba:
Where law students assist with the A2J crisis
Hosted by the University of Manitoba- Faculty of Law
Friday, Oct 28 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. (CDT) Flat Rates, Unbundling and Coaching:
An Overview of Alternative Private Bar Legal Services Provision
Hosted by the Manitoba Bar Association

See below for more upcoming events.

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Substantive Law

Administrative Law

Jhanji v. The Law Society of Manitoba, 2022 MBCA 78: Appeal of professional discipline proceeding that found the appellant was incompetent to practice law. Three main areas under appeal: the finding of incompetence, disqualification of counsel for the respondent, and the fairness of the discipline proceeding. Discussion of when party can file further argument after the perfecting of the appeal, as well as further submissions while the case is under reserve. Appeal dismissed.

 Winnipeg (City of) v. Manitoba (Director, Contaminated Sites Remediation Act) et al, 2022 MBCA 72: Chambers proceeding raising the administrative law issue of prematurity. City (applicant) seeks leave to appeal a decision of the respondent upholding the Director’s designation of the City as a potentially responsible person (PRP) under the Act (s.48) for remediation of an impacted site. Analysis of the threshold for demonstrating exceptional circumstances in order for leave to appeal to be granted, citing Neufeld et al v. The Manitoba Securities Commission, 2018 MBCA 101. Application dismissed.

 College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba v. Hancock, 2022 MBCA 70: Appeal of misconduct, penalty and costs decisions. Appellate jurisdiction is statutory and governed by s. 131 (1) and (2) of The Regulated Health Professions Act, C.C.S.M. c. R117. Standard of appeal is deferential (Law Society of Saskatchewan v. Abrametz). Court has no jurisdiction to determine appellant’s arguments regarding the misconduct decision. No reversible errors in the penalty and costs decision. Appeal dismissed.

 Warraich, Re, 2022 MBCA 66: Appeal from findings of an Inquiry Committee of College of Physicians and Surgeons that the appellant was guilty of professional misconduct, displayed a lack of skill, knowledge and judgment, and breached by-laws, as well as the penalty. Since this is a statutory review, standard of review is that expressed in Housen v. Nikolaisen. Panel is owed a high level of deference. Appeal dismissed.

 The WSD v. City of Winnipeg et al., 2022 MBKB 184: Statutory appeal over assessments made regarding liability to pay municipal taxation. Issue of statutory interpretationof s. 22(1)(d) of The Municipal Assessment Act, C.C.S.M. c.  M226. Canvas of various decisions addressing the principles of interpretation of tax legislation. Review of definitions in The Public Schools Act, C.C.S.M. c. P250. Examination of the historical record on the reasons behind school assessment. Edmond, J. concludes that some of the real property in this appeal is exempt.

 Springfield Taxpayers Rights Corp. v. Rural Municipality of Springfield and Berger Peat Moss Ltd., 2022 MBKB 180: Application for judicial review of decision refusing to quash development permits. Issue is whether a property owner can rely on permits and authorizations issued by governmental agencies and authorities to develop and build on their land. Applicants did not seek an injunction in a reasonable length of time. Rempel, J. found that the delay in filing the application constituted an abuse of process. Considerable analysis of the meaning of inordinate delay and the prejudice it brings to the respondent. Application dismissed.

 

 Mark Manicini. The Sunday Evening Administrative Review. Issue #60: October 2, 2022. “This week’s newsletter … consists solely of cases pertaining to adequacy of reasons.”

Civil Litigation

Bonnefield Canadian Farmland Evergreen LP v. Fat Cat Farms Ltd., 2022 MBCA 77: Appeal by defendant of decision of trial judge regarding a written lease of farmland between the parties. Claim was over unpaid rent and damages due to the condition in which the defendant left the property. CA finds no reviewable error in the trial judge’s interpretation of the lease; no palpable and overriding error was established; trial judge applied the correct legal test for contractual interpretation. Appeal dismissed.

 Knight. v. Daraden Investments Ltd. et al, 2022 MBCA 69: Defendants move for leave to appeal an interlocutory order as required under s. 25.2(1) of The Court of Appeal Act, C.C.S.M. c. C240. First opportunity for the Court to consider the test to be applied to such a motion. Claim for damages for personal injuries suffered in a slip and fall. Pfuetzner, J.A. agrees with both counsel that the test is the one set out by SKCA in Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. v. Saskatchewan, 2002 SKCA 119 (para 6). Leave to appeal dismissed.

 Sarrasin v. Sokal, 2022 MBCA 67: Appeal of order striking out plaintiff’s statement of claim for disclosing no reasonable cause of action without leave to amend. Plaintiff alleged defamation, malicious prosecution and workplace harassment, but only appeals the order as it relates to defamation. CA finds that motion judge’s determination that plaintiff’s pleadings do not show that the words in issue refer to him; appeal dismissed.

 

 Vanessa Di Feo. CM Callow v Zollinger, Reconceptualized Through the Tort of Negligent Misrepresentation. (2022) 27 Appeal 103.

This article argues that CM Callow Inc v Zollinger was wrongly decided, and that the Supreme Court of Canada unnecessarily expanded the duty of honest contractual performance established in Bhasin v Hrynew. In this decision, the Supreme Court applied a contract law analysis to a fact scenario that did not entirely call for it. This is to say that the contract that Mr. Callow hoped to incentivize through freebie work never came into existence, so it should not have been assessed through the lens of the duty of honesty.

 Anna SP Wong. Duty of Honest Performance: A Tort Dressed in Contract Clothing. (2022) 100 – 1 C.B.R. 95.

In CM Callow Inc v Zollinger, the latest installment from the Supreme Court of Canada on the duty of honest performance, the Court insisted that it is a contractual duty rather than a tortious one. This article contends that the duty to act honestly, a welcome addition as it is to the realm of private-law obligations, represents an infusion of tort logic into contract law.

Criminal Law

R. v. Spotted Eagle, 2022 MBCA 75: Appeal of conviction for possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking. Accused seeks to have conviction set aside or, in the alternative, substitute a conviction for simple possession. He argues that the evidence was insufficient to find a conviction for trafficking. Appeal dismissed.

R. v. Tarapaski, 2022 MBCA 74: Appeal of conviction of possession of a non-restricted firearm without being a holder of a licence, and two counts of possession of firearms when bound by an order prohibiting it. Item in question was an improvised firearm, not an inoperable commercially manufactured firearm (para 19). Analysis of the limits of a statutory definition. Test set out in R. v. Covin, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 725 and summarized in R. v. Vader, 2012 ABQB 288. Appeal dismissed.

 R. v. Meilleur, 2022 MBCA 71: Appeal of conviction of manslaughter and sentence of 13 years imprisonment, after trial by judge and jury. Accused submits that the trial judge erred in admitting an inculpatory statement he gave to police. He appeals sentence on the basis that it was harsh and excessive. Conviction appeal dismissed; leave to appeal sentence granted and also dismissed.

 R. v. Ostamas, 2022 MBCA 68: Appeal of sentence ordered in 2016 for pleading guilty to three counts of second degree murder. Accused was sentenced to life imprisonment with 25-year periods of parole ineligibility consecutively. Accused argues that given s. 745.51 has been found unconstitutional (R. v. Bissonnette), the 25-year periods should be made concurrent rather than consecutive. Crown agrees. Appeal allowed.

 R. v. Sinclair, 2022 MBCA 65: Accused seeks leave to appeal and appeals sentence of five years’ incarceration on charges including luring, possession of child pornography, making child pornography and others. Crown agrees that errors were committed warranting appellate intervention, but that sentence should be increased, not decreased. Steel, J.A. makes a considerable analysis of the requirements for determining an appropriate sentence after Friesen. Discussion of the principle of proportionality and moral culpability of offender. Sentence increased to eight years.

R. v. Devos, 2022 MBKB 185: Accused was convicted of impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death. Crown requested a sentence of four years; defence submitted three years of supervised probation, or an intermitten sentence of up to 90 days. Accused had a clean record and his pre-sentence report indicated he was a very low risk to re-offend. Thorough review of the case law on convictions for similar offences. Leven, J. orders a sentence of six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised probation.

R. v. Crate, 2022 MBKB 182: Appeal of conviction for having care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired. Main issue on appeal relates to infringement of appellant’s bail rights after arrest. Appellant was arrested in Norway House, held for over 24 hours before her first appearance, and then transferred to Thompson for her bail hearing. Question of whether the trial judge erred by failing to find a systemic constitutional violation. Grammond, J. concluded that such a finding is a mixed question of fact and law; applicable standard of review is correctness. Considerable analysis of Charter breaches and what appropriate remedies are available. Grammond, J. found that the appellant’s bail rights were breached in multiple ways but this was not one of the clearest cases, and a stay of proceedings was refused.

 R. v. Saunders, 2022 MBKB 177: Sentencing decision for conviction by a jury for second degree murder. Conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with no right to apply for parole for at least 10 years. Crown submits that parole ineligibility period should be 16 years; accused submits 10 years should apply. Kroft, J. considers the nature of the offence, the character of the offender, the principles of sentencing and finds 13 years parole ineligibility is appropriate.

R. v. M. (H.), 2022 MBPC 42: Sentencing decision for manslaughter. Accused was just under 18 at the time of the offence. Crown requests accused be sentenced as an adult; defence argues that the Crown has not rebutted the presumption of diminished moral culpability. Considerable evidence and reports filed including FASD Centre multidisciplinary report, several Psychological Forensic Assessment reports, Gladue report, book of victim impact statements, and youth criminal record of accused. Devine, P.J. gives a lengthy explanation and analysis of the sentencing principles for young people under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. First prong of test not satisfied (presumption of reduced moral culpability rebutted). Second prong is whether the maximum youth sentence adequate to hold the accused accountable. Defence is suggesting a three year IRCS order. Devine, P.J. imposes the maximum youth sentence of three years’ IRCS.

 

Michael R. Dambrot. Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (2022) 26 C.R. (3d) 97 (WLC – LSM members can request a copy).

Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Constitution Act, 1982 [en. by Canada Act, 1982 (Eng.), c. 11] provides that “everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.” When this section is coupled with the discretion contained in s. 24(2) to exclude from criminal proceedings evidence obtained in a manner that infringes s. 8, it can readily be seen that these few words will have a dynamic impact on the course of criminal prosecutions in Canada.

 Jeff Buckstein. Alberta Court of Appeal Reduces Sentence for Sexual Offences on Gladue Analysis. The Lawyer’s Daily, 15 September 2022. Case comment re R. v. Dichrow, 2022 ABCA 282. Accused argued trial judge did not take in to account his Indigenous heritage as a Métis person.

Family Law

Briscoe v. Briscoe, 2022 MBCA 76: Appeal of dismissed motion re severing divorce from the balance of relief in the pleadings. Motion judge dismissed the husband’s motion, determining that it was not proportionate. Severance is a discretionary remedy and not a matter of right. CA found no error in trial judge’s exercise of discretion. Appeal dismissed.

Emes v. Emes, 2022 MBKB 186: Petitioner’s motion for a final order of spousal support. Parties had agreed to an all-encompassing separation agreement with a defined term of spousal support that did not allow for variation or review. Respondent has not made any payments as required under the agreement. Thatcher, J. conducts a thorough Miglin analysis and orders the respondent to pay the petitioner the amount determined under the original separation agreement as well as arrears.

Michif CFS v. S.A.S. and J.A.A.M., 2022 MBKB 176: Application by agency for a permanent order of guardianship of two year old child, by summary judgment. Parents oppose request for summary judgment, arguing there are genuine issues for trial. Parents seek return of the child to their care. Test for summary judgment articulated in Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services et al v. M.B.H., 2019 MBCA 91. Child is Indigenous, therefore provisions of An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families, S.C. 2019, c. 24 need to be considered. Abel, J. determines that summary judgment is acceptable, and motion is granted.

 

Claire Houston. Case Annotation: A. v. A., (2022) 81 C.C.L.T. (4th) 130 (WLC – LSM members can request a copy).

This decision communicates an important message: family violence causes substantial harm and is wrong. To recognize this wrong, Mandhane J. held that family courts should not allow “no-fault” divorce to shield abusers from civil liability, and that family courts ought to adjudicate family violence tort claims alongside claims for property division, spousal and child support, and parenting decision-making responsibility and parenting time.

David Frenkel, Yunjae Kim. Separation Date Principles and Assessment Guide. (2022) 40 C.F.L.Q. 335. (WLC – LSM members can request a copy).

When a couple gets married, the date of the wedding is easy to remember, even after many years have passed. … However, when a couple separates, the circumstances are usually very different, and the recollection of those events can get hazy.

Jodi Lazare, Kelsey Warr. A Gender-Based Approach to Historical Child Support: Comment on Colucci v. Colucci. (2022) 34 – 2 Can. J. Fam. L. 209.

In June 2021 the Supreme Court of Canada (the “Court”) released Colucci v Colucci, its second decision in twelve months dealing with the complex subject of historical (commonly referred to as retroactive) child support. The case worked a significant shift in the law, arguably the first major revision to the law since the Court’s initial consideration of historical child support in DBS, in 2006. This comment suggests that Colucci represents a new understanding of the way that claims for historical child support should be considered in Canadian family law.

Labour and Employment Law

Bartel-Zobarich v. Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP-Bargaining Unit) et al, 2022 MBCA 64: Application for an extension of time to file notices of appeal. Respondents were successful in having motions granted to strike out the notice of application and statement of claim without leave to amend as well as declaring the applicant to be a vexatious litigant. Applicant was terminated for cause in January 2012; grievance was settled in January 2014. Applicant takes position grievance was settled without her knowledge. Analysis of whether the applicant showed a continuous intention to appeal and whether she had a reasonable explanation for the delay. Motion denied.

Pokornik v. SkipTheDishes Restaurant Services Inc., 2022 MBKB 178: Action seeking various heads of relief including a declaration that the plaintiff is an employee and not an independent contractor, and an order certifying this proceeding as a class action. Defendant moves for an order staying the action in favour of arbitration. Plaintiff originally contracted with the defendant in 2014. Original agreement contained no arbitration agreement. In 2018, agreement was changed to require disputes be resolved through arbitration. Plaintiff was required to accept the change in order to continue to offer services through the app. Analysis of s. 7(1) of The Arbitration Act to determine which agreement governs the relationship. Chartier, J. decides in favour of the plaintiff.

Scope of the Inquest Hearing Decision (Anderson), 2022 MBPC 46: Motion by the City of Thompson and Thompson Fire and Emergency Services to modify the scope of the inquest to remove the issue of determining whether Mr. Anderson’s death was preventable if there had been more timely medical intervention; and whether the original scope should be revised to have as its primary focus a review of the coordination of a multi-agency response to a serious incident in a remote setting in Manitoba. Situation arose over the death of the conductor of a freight train after the train derailed in a remote area of the rail line. Review of the law concerning the scope of an inquest. Opinion of the Chief Medical Examiner changed after the inquest was called; Killeen, P.J. finds that to be a material change, and scope is changed.

Eric Tucker. Competition and Labour Law in Canada: Patrolling the Boundaries. (preprint – published as Competition and Labour Law in Canada: The Contestable Margins of Legal Toleration, in S. Paul, S. McCrystal, & E. McGaughey (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Labour in Competition Law (Cambridge Law Handbooks, pp. 127-140, 2022)).

In Canada, as in most advanced capitalist countries, the right of workers to engage in collective action has been partially immunized from competition law, one of the basic norms of capitalist legality. The “zone of toleration”, however, has been contested over time and poses a recurring regulatory dilemma that stems from labour’s commodity status in capitalism.

Wills, Trusts & Estates

McLeod Estate v. Cole et al, 2022 MBCA 73: Plaintiffs’ appeal of dismissal of their claim that the defendants sold their father’s property for less than market value prior to his death, asserting that he did not have sufficient mental capacity. Appeal’s argument centred on the trial judge made a litany of palpable and overriding errors in his assessment of the evidence.  Explanation of the doctrine of suspicious circumstances. Appeal dismissed.

John E.S. Poyser. Case Comment: Sandwell v. Sayers – The State of Unconscionable Procurement in British Columbia. (2022) 76 E.T.R. (4th) 249. (WLC – LSM members can request a copy)

Sandwell v. Sayers bears comment as it touches on the prospective place of “unconscionable procurement” as an attack on gifts, suggesting that modern Canadian courts may wish to pause before accepting the doctrine as part of the current law.

Legislation

Federal

Recent Activity

 

Bill Number Title Status
C-31 An Act respecting cost of living relief measures related to dental care and rental housing At second reading in the House of Commons
C-244 An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair) At consideration in committee in the House of Commons
C-230 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (intimidation of health care professionals) Bill defeated
C-237 An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and the Canada Health Act Bill defeated
S-236 An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (Prince Edward Island) At third reading in the Senate
C-253 An Act to amend the Bank of Canada Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts At second reading in the House of Commons
C-30 An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (temporary enhancement to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit) At third reading in the House of Commons
S-227 An Act to establish Food Day in Canada At second reading in the House of Commons
S-9 An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act At second reading in the House of Commons
S-8 An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations At second reading in the House of Commons
C-299 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (life imprisonment) Outside the Order of Precedence
S-222 An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood) At third reading in the Senate
S-241 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals) At second reading in the Senate
C-29 An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation At consideration in committee in the House of Commons
S-252 An Act respecting Jury Duty Appreciation Week At second reading in the Senate
S-5 An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act At second reading in the House of Commons
C-252 An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children) At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

Provincial

New Bills Introduced

No. Sponsored by As proposed   (Click PDF for the bilingual version)
210 MLA Asagwara The Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses Act (Various Acts Amended) PDF
211 Mr. Sala The Manitoba Hydro Amendment Act (Referendum Before Privatization of Subsidiary) PDF
244 Mr. Moses The Protecting Youth in Sports Act PDF

REGULATIONS

Number Title Registered  Published
117/2022 Court of Appeal Rules, amendment 31 Aug. 2022 31 Aug. 2022
118/2022 Court of Appeal Rules, amendment 31 Aug. 2022 31 Aug. 2022
119/2022 Election Fees, Expenses and Rentals Regulation 16 Sept. 2022 16 Sept. 2022
120/2022 Assistance Regulation, amendment 16 Sept. 2022 16 Sept. 2022
121/2022 AgriInsurance Regulation 16 Sept. 2022 16 Sept. 2022
122/2022 Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance Regulation, amendment 16 Sept. 2022 16 Sept. 2022
123/2022 Employment Standards Regulation, amendment 29 Sept. 2022 29 Sept. 2022

Amendments to Probate Rules Coming Into Effect

On October 1, 2022, amendments to King’s Bench Rules 74 and 75, regarding Probate, come into effect. The primary objective of the new rules is to eliminate jargon and use plain language to make the rules easier to understand.

Along with new rules, come new forms. There will be a little leeway to allow the profession to get used to the new forms, but members could face the risk of having their documents rejected for lack of compliance.

Make sure you and your team are using the correct forms.

M.R. 68/2002

M.R. 69/2002

M.R. 70/2002

All Court Forms

eLex September 2022

News

Manitoba Government Launches Five-Year Review of Workplace Safety and Health Act, Associated Regulations

R. v. Boily, 2022 ONCA 611: Sentence appeal regarding the imposition of a driving prohibition where accused pled guilty to a single count of criminal negligence causing death, contrary to s. 220 of the Criminal Code. Appellant argued that since there is no reference in s. 320.24(4) of the Criminal Code to criminal negligence causing death, then the driving prohibition cannot be imposed. Fairburn, A.C.J.O. conducts a thorough statutory review of the amendments to the Criminal Code under Bill C-46. Appeal allowed and the driving prohibition was set aside.

 Terry Davidson. Manitoba Lawyers React to Call for Reverse Onus Bail Changes for Knife Crimes. The Lawyer’s Daily, September 2, 2022. Response to letter from Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen to Federal Justice Minister David Lametti.

Court Notices & Practice Directions

All COVID-19 Notices and Practice Directions are available here.

Court of King’s Bench

 

  • September 8, 2022 – Change of Court Name –  pursuant to s. 3 of The Court of Queen’s Bench Act, the Court in name and in all documents and proceedings shall be designated and described as the Court of King’s Bench.

Discipline Digests

Manitoba Law Society Decisions

 

  • The Law Society of Manitoba v. Burwash, 2022 MBLS 8 

New Library Resources

New In Print

Law of evidence in Canada – 6th ed. “This new edition of the seminal work offers current and in-depth coverage of the Canadian law of evidence, and has been updated to include significant recent developments. It is the only major Canadian treatise with in-depth coverage of both civil and criminal evidence.”

Directors’ duties in Canada “The 7th edition of Directors’ Duties in Canada addresses directors’ duties as they arise in the context of public and private companies, Crown corporations, investment funds and not-for-profit organizations. This updated and enhanced edition offers current, practical and accessible guidance, intended for directors and for those who advise them, on a broad range of specific topics including what directors’ duties are, best practices in discharging those duties, and how directors can avoid liability and embarrassment.”

Agriculture Law in Canada, 2nd Edition “Introducing the second edition of Agriculture Law in Canada the only Canadian treatise on agricultural law offering comprehensive, national coverage of the legal issues facing this critical industry. Farming and its related industries have undergone many changes since the first edition was released in 1999. This new edition has been significantly updated to reflect the statutory and case law developments of the past 20 years.”

Canadian Personal Property Security Law — 2nd ed. “A comprehensive, up-to-date treatise covering personal property secured transactions law in Canada, this resource deals with all significant statutory and regulatory provisions applicable under the Personal Property Security Act (PPSA), the Securities Transfer Act and the Bank Act. The treatise also provides a comprehensive coverage of case law.”

Updated

Oppression remedy “This work explains the principles of corporate governance with emphasis on shareholder disputes. It is a critical resource for advising corporations, boards or shareholders and creditors about their rights and duties. An expansive array of topics helps you to understand the details of proceedings under the oppression remedy provisions.”

New Online Titles

These new titles from Irwin Law are now available on vLex.

Available in the Library Resources section of the Member’s Portal

 

Canadian Family Law – 9th edition –  “This new edition incorporates fundamental legislative changes to the Divorce Act. The most fundamental legislative changes replace the loaded terminology of “custody” and “access” orders in favour of “parenting orders” that focus on parenting time and decision-making authority and “contact orders” with respect to third parties. They also establish a detailed non-exhaustive list of criteria to assist courts in determining the “best interests of the child”; call upon prospective litigants and their lawyers to address the feasibility of using out-of-court family dispute resolution services; introduce measures to effectively assist courts in addressing family violence; and create a framework for situations where one parent wishes to relocate a child of the marriage.”

Child Support Guidelines in Canada, 2022 – “Child Support Guidelines in Canada, 2022 continues the tradition of presenting comprehensive, current caselaw and analysis in a very practical and easily accessible format. Relevant cases from every Canadian province and territory are cited in support of the principles set out in the textual commentary. Significant changes have been introduced in chapters 11 and 13 with respect to retroactive child support orders and remission of child support arrears following the Supreme Court of Canada’s judgments in Michel v Graydon and Colucci v Colucci.”

Personal Property Security Law – Third Edition – “This book examines the legal framework for secured credit set out in the Personal Property Security Act (PPSA). First proclaimed by Ontario in 1976, the PPSA is in force today in all nine common law provinces and the three federal territories. This third edition updates the area of personal property security law in Canada with new caselaw, and considers the important legislative amendments that have been recently introduced in several provinces.”

Book Reviews

Review taken from the Canadian Law Library Review, Vol. 47 Issue 2

Big Data Surveillance and Security Intelligence: The Canadian Case. Edited by David Lyon & David Murakami Wood. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2021. xii, 290 p. Includes bibliographic references and index. ISBN 9780774864176  (hardcover) $89.95; ISBN 9780774864183 (softcover) $32.95; ISBN 9780774864206 (ePUB) $32.95.

Reviewed By Erica Friesen

“This wide-ranging collection interrogates the intelligence- gathering practices of Canadian security agencies in the shift to “big data” surveillance methods.

Multidisciplinary in nature, this book draws on expertise from an array of fields, including law, information science, communications, criminology, social justice, and surveillance studies. Lyon and Wood’s introduction accomplishes the enormous task of both contextualizing big data practices in surveillance and situating Canadian security intelligence within a global context.

Substantive Law

Administrative Law

Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v. Entertainment Software Association, 2022 SCC 30: Judicial review of s.2.4(1.) of the Copyright Act as it pertains to online music services. Copyright Board concluded that the section allows for two royalties to be payable when a work is distributed online. FCA overturned the Board. Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Côté, Brown, Rowe, Kasirer and Jamal JJ.:

[8] The Board’s interpretation is not required by art. 8 of the WIPO Copyright Treaty. The Board’s interpretation of s. 2.4(1.1) would fulfill Canada’s obligations under art. 8. But other interpretations of s. 2.4(1.1) that are more consistent with its text, context, and purpose also conform to art. 8. In my view, s. 2.4(1.1) clarifies two things: (1) s. 3(1)(f) applies to on-demand technologies, and (2) a work is performed as soon as it is made available for online streaming. This interpretation of s. 2.4(1.1) is technologically neutral and allows Canada to fulfill its obligations under art. 8 through a combination of the performance, reproduction, and authorization rights in s. 3(1). If a work is streamed or made available for on-demand streaming, the author’s performance right is engaged. If a work is downloaded, the author’s reproduction right is engaged. If a work is made available for downloading, the author’s right to authorize reproductions is engaged. There are no gaps in protection.

[9] As this interpretation of s. 2.4(1.1) is more consistent with its text, context, and purpose, I would adopt it over the Board’s. If a work is downloaded or made available for downloading, s. 3(1)(f) is not engaged. If a work is made available for streaming and later streamed, s. 3(1)(f) is only engaged once. It follows that I would dismiss the appeal.

Per Karakatsanis and Martin JJ (concurring):

[118] In my view, a faithful application of the Vavilov framework can only result in one conclusion — the standard of review in this case is reasonableness. Even so, the Copyright Board of Canada’s decision cannot be upheld. The reasons are unreasonable in light of the statutory context and this Court’s precedents.

 Law Society of Saskatchewan v. Abrametz, 2022 SCC 29: Appeal arising from disciplinary proceedings leading to the disbarment of the respondent. Respondent applied for a stay of proceedings on the basis of inordinate delay. Appeal addresses the doctrine of abuse of process by delay in the administrative context, as well as clarifying the standard of review applicable in statutory appeals. Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Brown, Rowe, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ.: appeal allowed.

[4] I would allow the appeal. While the Court of Appeal correctly determined the standard of review, it failed to apply it properly. The Hearing Committee did not err when it concluded that there was no abuse of process.

Per Côté J. in dissent:

[128] I have had the opportunity to read the reasons of my colleague Rowe J. I disagree with the majority’s disposition of this appeal. In my view, the delay in these proceedings amounted to an abuse of process, and the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal did not err in quashing the penalty for professional misconduct imposed on the respondent, Peter V. Abrametz ( 2020 SKCA 81 ). My disagreement with the majority, however, also extends to the legal principles governing the assessment of inordinate delay in administrative proceedings.

 Sara Blake. SCC Recognizes Complexities of Professional Discipline. The Lawyer’s Daily, July 13, 2022. Comment on Law Society of Saskatchewan v. Abrametz, 2022 SCC 29.

Civil Litigation

Mohr v. National Hockey League, 2022 FCA 145: Appellant commenced a class proceeding alleging that the respondents conspired to limit the opportunities of hockey players to play in Canadian major junior and professional hockey leagues. Respondents moved to strik on the basis if disclosed no reasonable cause of action. Question of statutory interpretation of  s. 45 and s. 48 of the Competition Act. Appeal dismissed.

 Normandeau v. Rond’s Marine Ltd. et al, 2022 MBCA 62: Appeal re applicable limitation period for a claim regarding a leaky boat. Plaintiff purchased a new boat from the defendant in 2015. After two voyages, the boat sank and was a total loss. Plaintiff began an action for breach of contract in January, 2018, more than two years after the loss. Issue is whether the claim is over an “injury to chattels” which has a two year limitation period, or if there is a six year limitation period. Trial judge concluded relevant question was whether the claim was one of “injury to chattels” which is a question of law. Examination of section 2(1)(g) of The Limitation of Actions Act. Appeal dismissed.

 Viceversa Developments Inc. v. The City of Winnipeg, 2022 MBQB 169: Action by plaintiff alleging the City was negligent in completing certain steps necessary to bring into force amendments to a zoning by-law, causing it damage. Plaintiff purchased a distinctive piece of land from CNR (a railway bridge) that he hoped to redevelop into residential housing. City required the parcel be rezoned. Plaintiff had 24 months to complete the application, and received two extensions, but failed to complete it. Bock, J. found the City was negligent in paring a Zoning Agreement, but it didn’t cause the plaintiff any legally compensable damage.

Smith v. Lehmann et al., 2022 MBQB 155: Dispute over remedial work completed on a condominium after purchasing. Defendant purchased condo from foreclosure, then renovated it and sold it. Condo was previously a storage unit and did not have an occupancy permit. Plaintiff purchased it and later learned it needed to be upgraded to obtain an occupancy permit. Condominium Corporation performed the work and claims against the plaintiff. Action resolved by summary judgment. Grammond, J. dismisses plaintiff’s claim and grants Condo Corp.’s counterclaim in part.

 Meaning of “Injury to Chattels” for Limitation, Court of Appeal Decision of the Week, Supreme Advocacy, 3 August 2022. Case comment on Normandeau v. Rond’s Marine Ltd. et al, 2022 MBCA 62.

Howard Winkler. For Google Liability, It’s All About the Snippet. The Lawyer’s Daily, September 2, 2022. Case comment on Google LLC v. Defteros, [2002] HCA 27 (Australia).

Corporate and Commercial Law

Capitol Steel Corporation v. White Owl Properties Limited, 2022 MBQB 170: Interpretation of a commercial lease. Dispute over who is responsible for paying for the structural and capital repairs and replacements required at the leased premises as well as whether there is relief against forfeiture. Building is over a century old and components have reached the end of their useful life. Analysis of work that constitutes a “repair” and work that constitutes a “replacement or improvement” to a leased premise. Examination of whether forfeiture of the lease is appropriate. Plaintiff is largely successful.

Tilbury v. Tilbury, 2022 MBQB 129: Application for order dissolving partnership between brothers of a farming operation. Request for method to distribute assets be referred to a master or alternatively, assets sold. Parties had attempted to distribute the assets themselves but the negotiations broke down. Abel, J. determines the date of dissolution and gives the parties 60 days to resolve ownership of the land or there will be a reference to a master for directions for the conduct of the sale.

Pride Real Estate Inc. et al. v. 5610550 Manitoba Ltd. et al., 2022 MBQB 51: Action over whether agreement reached in purchase and sale of shares, and whether defendant defamed plaintiff. Parties negotiated SPA over several years, and some money was paid. Trial necessary to see if facts showed that agreement was reached. Discussion of the test to prove there was a valid contract. Lanchbery, J. finds there was a valid contract, sets out damages. For defamation claim, he finds the plaintiff was defamed and orders general damages of $150,000 and punitive damages of $50,000.

Amanda Jerome. Court’s “Pragmatic” View of Disclosure “Provides Useful Direction,” Counsel Says. The Lawyer’s Daily, July 22, 2022. Case comment on Wong v. Pretium Resources Inc., 2022 ONCA 549.

Criminal Law

R. v. Kirkpatrick, 2022 SCC 33: Consent as it applies to sexual activity. Complainant consented to sex as long as accused wore a condom. Accused applied to have charge dismissed by a no-evidence motion. Trial judge granted motion; CA allowed Crown’s appeal, set aside acquittal and ordered a new trial, although the three judges split on the reasoning. Accused appeals re the setting aside of his acquittal. Appeal dismissed.

Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ.:

[2] I conclude that when consent to intercourse is conditioned on condom use, the only analytical framework consistent with the text, context and purpose of the prohibition against sexual assault is that there is no agreement to the physical act of intercourse without a condom. Sex with and without a condom are fundamentally and qualitatively distinct forms of physical touching. A complainant who consents to sex on the condition that their partner wear a condom does not consent to sex without a condom. This approach respects the provisions of the Criminal Code, this Court’s consistent jurisprudence on consent and sexual assault and Parliament’s intent to protect the sexual autonomy and human dignity of all persons in Canada. Since only yes means yes and no means no, it cannot be that “no, not without a condom” means “yes, without a condom”. If a complainant’s partner ignores their stipulation, the sexual intercourse is non-consensual and their sexual autonomy and equal sexual agency have been violated.

 

[3]  Here, the complainant gave evidence that she had communicated to the appellant that her consent to sex was contingent on condom use. Despite the clear establishment of her physical boundaries, the appellant disregarded her wishes and did not wear a condom. This was evidence of a lack of subjective consent by the complainant — an element of the actus reus of sexual assault. As a result, the trial judge erred in granting the appellant’s no evidence motion. Accordingly, I would dismiss the appeal and uphold the order of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia setting aside the acquittal and remitting the matter to the Provincial Court of British Columbia for a new trial.

Wagner C.J. and CôtéBrown and Rowe JJ., concurring.

[109] We agree with our colleague Martin J. on the proper disposition of this appeal. We, too, would dismiss Mr. Kirkpatrick’s appeal and uphold the order of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia for a new trial.

[111] But that is not what this appeal is about. This appeal asks whether this Court may interpret the same provision of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C‑46, twice, in radically different ways, without overturning itself. Our colleague says it can. We say it cannot

R. v. Lafrance,2022 SCC 32: Issue of detention and right to counsel. Police suspected accused might have been involved in the death of the victim. They executed a search warrant and was interviewed. Three weeks later he was arrested, interviewed again and eventually confessed to killing the victim. At trial, accused sought to exclude his confession for a break of his right to counsel. Convicted by a jury of second-degree murder; appeal allowed and new trial ordered. Per Karakatsanis, Brown, Martin, Kasirer and JamalJJ.: appeal dismissed.

[5] I would dismiss the appeal. The police detained Mr. Lafrance on March 19, then breached s. 10(b) by failing to inform him of his right to counsel. They committed another breach of s. 10(b) on April 7 by refusing to allow him to contact a lawyer in circumstances which showed that his initial conversation with Legal Aid was insufficient for the purposes of s. 10(b), being “to allow the detainee not only to be informed of his rights and obligations under the law but, equally if not more important, to obtain advice as to how to exercise those rights” (Sinclair, at para. 26, citing RvManninen1987 CanLII 67 (SCC) , [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1233, at pp. 1242-43). These were serious breaches, substantially impacting Mr. Lafrance’s Charter‑protected interests, and admitting the evidence thereby obtained would bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Côté and Rowe JJ. dissenting:

[104] This case involves what should be a straightforward application of this Court’s jurisprudence under ss. 9 (the right against arbitrary detention), 10(b) (the right to retain and instruct counsel on detention) and 24(2) (exclusion of unconstitutionally obtained evidence when its admission would bring the administration of justice into disrepute) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The majority of this Court begins its analysis by acknowledging this, but proceeds to adopt interpretations of those sections that depart from that jurisprudence. We cannot agree with that approach and the proposed outcome of this case.

R. v. Sundman, 2022 SCC 31: Issue of whether accused should be convicted of first or second degree murder. Victim was unlawfully confined, but escaped before being murdered. Trial judge convicted on second degree murder, reasoning that the time between escape and murder meant he was no longer unlawfully confined. CA overturned, holding that the unlawful confinement was temporally and causally connected to the murder, making it a single transaction. Appeal dismissed. Per Wagner C.J. and Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Côté, Brown, Rowe, Martin, Kasirer and Jamal JJ:

[5]  I would dismiss the appeal. In my view, Mr. McLeod was still unlawfully confined when he escaped from the truck and ran for his life. Even though Mr. McLeod was not physically restrained outside the truck, he continued to be coercively restrained through violence, fear, and intimidation. He was deprived of his liberty and was not free to move about according to his inclination and desire. The appellant then murdered him while unlawfully confining him. These two distinct criminal acts were part of a continuous sequence of events forming a single transaction. They were close in time and involved an ongoing domination of Mr. McLeod that began in the truck, continued when he escaped from the truck and ran for his life, and ended with his murder. The appellant is therefore guilty of first degree murder under s. 231(5)(e) of the Criminal Code.

R. v. Mazhari-Ravesh, 2022 MBCA 63: Appeal by accused of his conviction on six counts of sexual assault involving six different patients at his medical clinic. Accused and Crown apply for leave to appeal his sentence. Grounds for appeal include ineffective assistance of counsel, misapprehension of some of the expert’s evidence, and sentence imposed was harsh and excessive. Crown argues that the sentence was unfit.

R. v. Z. (M.J.), 2022 MBCA 61: Appeal of conviction of historical sexual assaults on the sole ground that the trial judge erred by dismissing his motion for a stay of proceedings under section 24(1) of the Charter based on a section 7 breach. CA found that trial judge did not make an express finding concerning a breach, but that a finding of no breach is implicit in her reasons. Error in law by failing to conclude there had been a section 7 violation. However, applying the correct law and balancing the seriousness of the charges, this is not a case where the exceptional remedy of a stay of proceedings is warranted. Appeal dismissed.

R. v. McLean, 2022 MBCA 60: Appeal of conviction for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and request for leave to appeal sentence. Accused was considered a courier at a mid-level of trafficking. Accused sought to have the drug evidence excluded, but was unsuccessful after a Garofoli review. Analysis of whether the trial judge incorrectly applied an adverse inference. Key sentencing controversy was parity. Extensive comparison and analysis of sentencing ranges for a mid-level courier. Conviction appeal denied; sentence reduced to nine years versus 12 years.

R. v. M.A.R.-S., 2022 MBQB 165: Sentencing decision after accused found guilty of sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual touching. Complainant was a child between the ages of 9-11 at the time. Principles of denunciation and deterrence are given primacy. Accused is considered to be a manageable risk in the community and a suitable candidate for supervised probation. Crown seeks a global sentence of eight years’ incarceration; defence submitted a global sentence of two years plus a further probationary period of three years. Bock, J. determines appropriate sentence is four years, six months.

R. v. Scott and Jack, 2022 MBQB 164: Trial over charge of first degree murder. Crown relies on significant video evidence from cameras in the vicinity as well as inadvertently through aand unrelated surveillance. Use of GPS tracking technology on vehicle used by accused. Evidence circumstantial; McKelvey, J. finds Scott as a principal and Jack as a participant, guilty of second degree murder.

R. v. Onakpoya, 2022 MBQB 158: Written reasons for denial of a stay of proceedings alleging a breach of right to be tried within a reasonable time. Accused charged June 26, 2019; trial rescheduled to September 26, 2022. Accused is representing herself. Parties agree that total delay is 39 months and two weeks. Grammond, J. determines net delay is 24 months and two weeks.

R. v. Sinclair, 2022 MBPC 40: Sentencing decision for conviction of communicating with a person under 18 for the purpose of sexual exploitation, commonly known as luring. Maximum jail sentence for s. 172.1(2) of the Criminal Code is 14 years and minimum is one year. Defense counsel challenges constitutionality of the mandatory minimum sentence. Crown argues for sentence of 3-5 years. Considerable analysis of relevant caselaw, including Friesen to determine which sentencing principles have priority. Accused sentenced to three years.

R. v. Harper, 2022 MBPC 37: Sentencing decision for offences of dangerous operation of a vehicle and assault with a weapon in incident of road rage. Accused pleaded guilty. Crown requests three years’ incarceration; defence requests nine months’ custody. No case law similar to the facts at bar. Martin, P.J. determines circumstances of offence require a custodial sentence; concurrent 10-month custodial sentence followed by 12 months of supervised probation.

Meryl Friedland and Dr. Andrew Haag. You Have the Right to be Read Something That You Probably Won’t Understand: Comprehensibility of the Right to Counsel. 2022 70 C.L.Q. 485 (WLC – LSM members can request a copy).

Without receiving a comprehensible right to counsel, detainees may not be receiving important protections relevant to significant choices that impact upon their liberty. A person who has been arrested or detained is immediately vulnerable relative to the state. They need to quickly make decisions that can affect the rest of their lives. With one misstep or misspeak, they can unknowingly incriminate themselves regardless of their actual innocence. While the right to counsel provides an opportunity to get advice on these decisions, a detainee cannot be expected to assert a right that they do not understand. The power imbalance that exists on arrest remains of the utmost importance in the discussion of Charter rights on arrest, and their purposive interpretation. The risks of false confessions that may follow a lack of legal advice, and wrongful convictions that can flow from this, loom large.

 Janine Benedet. Amending Section 33.1: Extreme Intoxication and Sexual Assault. (2022) 80 C.R. (7th) 71. (WLC – LSM members can request a copy).

The new s. 33.1 applies to the same category of offences that the old provision did: general intent offences that contain an element of “an assault or any other interference or threat of interference by a person with the bodily integrity of another person.” This would mean all levels of assault and sexual assault, manslaughter and uttering threats. Other general intent offences would have access to the defence of extreme intoxication without restrictions, while those charged with specific intent offences such as murder and theft can still invoke the standard common law intoxication defence.

Family Law

Manitoba (Director of Child and Family Services) v. M.K. and C.J.O., 2022 MBQ 175: Fate of a child apprehended at birth from her mother. Agency is seeking a permanent order of guardianship so it can place child for adoption with foster parents. Parents of child are of African origin. Mother’s previous two children were also apprehended at birth and placed with the same foster family who adopted them. Dunlop, J. found child was in need of protection when he was apprehended, but the Agency failed in its treatment of the mother. Permanent order of guardianship only option available at this point in time. Order made with significant conditions.

Wright v. Wright, 2022 MBQB 174: Issues of spousal support and division of family property in a long term marriage. Parties have had major financial downtowns since separation. Petitioner (wife) stayed home and cared for children; respondent (husband) built his career and business during the marriage. Leven, J. orders indefinite spousal support at the low end of the scale, but at a reduced rate for one year. Property will be divided equally with a generous amount of time to pay.

Briscoe v. Briscoe, 2022 MBQB 173: Assessment of costs following a hearing to set aside a protection order. Petitioner/respondent is self-represented. Reference to previous decision of Thomson, J. re costs for SRL, Penner v. McCutcheon, 2019 MBQB 109 at para. 14. Applicant’s case had no merit; order for costs for $4,000 all inclusive.

Wilson v. Wilson, 2022 MBQB 172: Final order issued in November 2021 resolved most issues; issues for trial were child support for a specified period; spousal support, if any; and payment of any arrears. Petitioner is an independent contractor and collects business income, not employment income. Respondent has salaried employment as well farming income. Significant analysis of the case law on support.

Esler v Busch, 2022 MBQB 171: Family proceeding began in 2015. Parties were not married so The Family Maintenance Act applied. Respondent filed answer in 2016 requesting spousal support, which was not mentioned in the petition. No significant activity between 2018 and 2021; petitioner moved to dismiss the action. Master ruled that the litigation about spousal support could be dismissed for delay but the litigation about family property could continue. Leven, J. disagreed – the entire litigation is dismissed.

C.M.D. v. S.T., 2022 MBQB 166: Primary focus of decision is mobility of children. Other issues are care and control, decision making authority, income, child support, spousal support and whether protective relief should be granted. Parties are not married, relatively short term relationship. Father lives in Alberta, mother lives with children in Manitoba. Thorough review of financial disclosure, with imputation of income (mother) and non-taxable benefits grossed up and added to father’s income for child support purposes. Extensive discussion and analysis of assessment report prepared for the court.

J.P. v. C.F.S. of Central Manitoba, 2022 MBQB 161: Applicant seeks records relating to charge of child abuse. Agency will be requesting that her name be placed on the Child Abuse Registry. Applicant requests records from various agencies including RCMP records, child’s school disciplinary reports, child’s health records. Antonio, J. orders any records directly related to the abuse charges must be produced in unredacted form.

Corbett v. Corbett, 2022 MBQB 160: Reference re Family Property Act. Long term marriage, very comfortable lifestyle. Reference includes each party’s furnishings, disposal of a family trust which included a cottage and its equipment, value of family home, debts owed to parties by their children and a prepaid vacation.

D.L. v. ANCR, 2022 MBQB 109: Respondent seeks to have applicant’s name registered on the Manitoba Child Abuse Registry. Applicant submits that Agency has not proven abuse. Victim was applicant’s foster child. Agency has burden of proof on a balance of probabilities. Antonio, J. found evidence was insufficient to satisfy Court.

Georgialee Lang. Appeal Court Considers Role of Foster Parents and Customary Care Arrangements. CanLII Connects, August 27, 2022. Case comment on M.L. v. Dilico Anishinabek Child and Family Care, 2022 ONCA 240.

Labour and Employment Law

DHRW Electrical Projects GP v. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 2085 et al., 2022 MBQB 168: Application for judicial review of two decisions of a labour arbitrator for being denied procedural fairness and that the decisions are unreasonable. Applicant contends that the Union’s members performed electrical work negligently, resulting in a large number of deficiencies. Issue is over the responsibility for the cost to repair these deficiencies. Grievance was referred to an arbitrator for final and binding arbitration. Application dismissed.

Oluwafifehan Ogunde. The Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Act 2022: A Brief Commentary. 2022 CanLIIDocs 1681.

Saskatchewan’s provincial government, in its growth plan for the 2020-2030 decade, has outlined as a goal the addition of 100,000 jobs. In furtherance of this goal, the government introduced The Labour Mobility and Fair Registration Practices Act (“the Act”) on April 6, 2022, with the intent of attracting skilled labour to Saskatchewan from within and outside Saskatchewan.  According to the provincial government, the Act will reduce barriers to working in the province, and also assist employers in filling jobs across key sectors of the Saskatchewan economy.  The aim of this article is to briefly highlight and discuss the provisions of the Act, particularly in the context of prevalent labour market issues.

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Estate of Swanlund v. Lester, 2022 MBQB 167: Master’s report on family property accounting. Petitioner and respondent had separated after cohabiting since 2005 but petitioner passed away before report was completed. Assets include Swanlund home, RRSPs, stock portfolio, and several other accounts. Petitioner provided comprehensive account statements determining which assets were shareable and which were not. Respondent’s financial disclosure is incomplete. Costs to the petitioner at Class II tariff.

Estates, Trusts & Pensions Journal, Vol. 41, No. 4, August 2022

Suzana Popovic-Montag. Playing It Safe: How to Proceed as Executor When a Will may be Invalid. (LSM members can request a copy.)

M. Jasmine Sweatman and Kimberly A. Whaley. Incapable and Capable Rights: The Rights of Adults in Vulnerable Circumstances – Sledgehammer v. Swiss Army Knife. (LSM members can request a copy.)

Legislation

Federal

BILLS – 44TH PARLIAMENT, 1ST SESSION

Bill Number

Title

Latest Activity

S-10

An Act to give effect to the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement, to amend the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

Royal assent received

C-14

An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (electoral representation)

Royal assent received

C-19

An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on April 7, 2022 and other measures

Royal assent received

C-24

An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023

Royal assent received

C-25

An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023

Royal assent received

C-28

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (self-induced extreme intoxication)

Royal assent received

C-11

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

At second reading in the Senate

C-21

An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

S-236

An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (Prince Edward Island)

At report stage in the Senate

C-5

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

At consideration in committee in the Senate

S-5

An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act

Senate bill awaiting first reading in the House of Commons

S-6

An Act respecting regulatory modernization

At second reading in the House of Commons

C-297

An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (Indigenous languages)

Outside the Order of Precedence

C-29

An Act to provide for the establishment of a national council for reconciliation

At second reading in the House of Commons

C-245

An Act to amend the Canada Infrastructure Bank Act

Bill defeated

C-226

An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

C-224

An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

C-228

An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985

At consideration in committee in the House of Commons

Provincial

REGULATIONS

Number

Title

Date Registered

117/2022

31 Aug 2022

118/2022

31 Aug 2022

The library will be closed on Good Friday, March 29. The courthouse will be closed on Monday, April 1 but the library will be open for remote requests.