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LAW/NET™ Legal Update Service

The following are summaries of recent newsworthy decisions. You may order full-text copies via the QUICKFAX™ or QUICKCOPY service.

Updated February 3, 2012

R. c. Bourque (Droit criminel; QCCQ; 13 janvier 2012) -- La Cour du Québec refuse la remise en liberté à deux des agresseurs du champion de poker Duhamel. - Québec Court denies release to two of the assailants in poker champion Duhamel's attack.

Victoria (City) v. Thompson (Civil litigation, Municipal law, Constitutional law; B.C.S.C.; November 18, 2011) -- Balance of convenience dictated that City was free to conclude encampment was not in keeping with best public use of space under its delegated legislative powers.

Anvil Mining Ltd. c. Association canadienne contre l'impunité (Droit international privé; QCCA; 24 janvier 2012) -- Le bureau montréalais d'Anvil n'ayant pas été impliqué dans la prise de décision qui a mené au massacre au Congo, le litige ne possède pas un lien suffisant avec le Québec. -- Anvil's Montreal office was not involved in any of the decision-making that led to a massacre, making the connection to Quebec tenuous.

Johnson v. Canada (Taxation; Tax Court of Canada; November 24, 2011) -- Appeal by the taxpayer from assessments including net receipts received by the appellant from investing in a ponzi scheme allowed.

Fischer v. IG Investment Management Ltd. (Civil litigation, Securities regulation; Ont. C.A.; January 27, 2012) -- Regulatory nature of the Commission's jurisdiction and its remedial powers, as well as the lack of participatory rights afforded to affected investors meant that the Commission proceedings would not fulfill the Class Proceedings Act's goal of providing class members with access to justice in relation to their claims.

Brown v. Canada (Attorney General) (Aboriginal law, Civil litigation; Ont. Sup. Ct. of Justice - Divisional Court; December 28, 2011) -- The motions judge erred in predetermining that a cause of action emerged from a fresh pleading prepared in accordance with his reasons and therefore the plaintiffs were directed to bring their certification motion before a new judge on the existing affidavits.

British Columbia (Workers' Compensation Board) v. Moore (c.o.b. AM Environmental) (Civil litigation, Workplace health, safety and compensation law; B.C.S.C.; January 24, 2012) -- Moore was sentenced to incarceration for 60 days for deliberately flaunting for an extended time a court order intended to protect worker safety.

Ontario (Minister of Finance) v. Pilot Insurance Co. (Insurance law; Ont. C.A.; January 19, 2012) -- Arbitrator correctly found Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund liable to pay benefits because it failed to give proper notice to insurer.

Jones v. Tsige (Information technology, Tort law, Damages; Ont. C.A.; January 18, 2012) -- It was within the capacity of the common law to evolve to respond to the problem posed by the routine collection of highly personal information that was readily accessible in electronic form by recognizing the emerging tort of intrusion upon seclusion in Ontario.

55104 Newfoundland & Labrador Inc. (Ocean Choice International L.P.) v. Stockley (Civil litigation, Labour law; Nfld. and Labrador S.C., Trial Division; January 16, 2012) -- Application by OCI for interlocutory injunction against union members restraining them from interfering with OCI's use of its property and enjoining them from entering on OCI's property allowed.

R. v. Calder (Criminal law, Legal profession, Professional responsibility; N.S.C.A.; January 11, 2012) -- Appeal by criminal lawyer from sentence of 30 months' imprisonment following convictions for drug trafficking dismissed.

Ontario v. Rothmans Inc. (Civil litigation, Conflict of laws; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; January 4, 2012) -- The allegations of conspiracy and concert of action established a real and substantial connection between each of the Jurisdiction Challenging Defendant tobacco companies and the Province.

Trudel c. Bell Canada (Procédure civile; QCCS; 16 décembre 2011) -- La Cour supérieure du Québec autorise la tenue d'un recours collectif contre Bell et Bell Mobilité en raison d'une hausse unilatérale du taux d'intérêt applicable aux factures en souffrance. -- The Quebec Superior Court has authorized a class action filed against Bell and Bell Mobility for their unilateral interest-rate hike for unpaid balances.

R. v. Jeffers (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; January 4, 2012) -- Accused was not guilty of mischief or counselling murder for putting up posters of a picture of a city councillor with the word "murder", as there had been no interference with property and the trial judge had failed to consider the context in which the poster was made or the accused's subjective state of mind.

British Columbia Teachers' Federation v. British Columbia Public School Employers' Assn. (Education law, Labour arbitration; B.C.C.A.; December 29, 2011) -- Grievance alleging Employer's Association violated collective agreement by failing to comply with Ministerial Order requiring establishment of student codes of conduct was not arbitrable.

R. v. Maloney (Criminal law; N.S.S.C.; December 22, 2011) -- Admission that sibling was potential cause of injuries suffered by infant supported conviction of parents for failure to provide necessaries of life in respect of protection from physical harm.

R. v. D.J.W. (Criminal law; B.C.C.A.; December 22, 2011) -- Accused committed aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and criminal negligence causing bodily harm when he attempted to circumcise his four-year-old son at home with improper instruments.

Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. v. Ontario (Minister of Health and Long-term Care) (Commercial law, Constitutional law, Government law, Health law, Statutory interpretation; Ont. C.A.; December 23, 2011) -- Regulations prohibiting pharmacies from selling private-label generic prescription drugs were intended to reduce drug prices to consumers, did not prohibit pharmacies from conducting business entirely, and were intra vires the Province.

Chrétien v. Canada (Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, Gomery Commission) (Civil litigation; F.C.; December 13, 2011) - - Chrétien awarded lump sum costs of $200,000 he incurred in a successful judicial review application.

Giuliani v. Halton (Regional Municipality) (Municipal law, Tort law; Ont. C.A.; December 21, 2011) -- Trial judge's findings of default were directed at municipalities' failures to take reasonable steps to prevent ice forming on roadways and therefore s. 5 of the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Highway Maintenance, which created minimum standard for treating highway after a municipality became aware that the roadway was icy, did not apply.

Gatti c. Barbosa Rodrigues (Droit des successions; QCCS; 16 décembre) -- La famille Gatti n'est pas parvenue à démontrer qu'il y avait lieu d'annuler le dernier testament de Gatti au motif de captation ni que Rodrigues devrait être déclarée indigne de lui succéder. -- The Gatti family did not prove that Gatti's last will should be invalidated as a result of undue influence or that Rodrigues should be declared unworthy to inherit.

R. v. Rudge (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; December 15, 2011) -- Acquittal overturned because trial judge failed to consider totality of evidence in finding reasonable doubt existed about whether respondent provided confidential police information to Hell's Angels criminal organization.

R. v. Hutchinson (Criminal law; N.S.S.C.; December 2, 2011) -- Hutchinson sentenced to 18 months' incarceration for having sexual intercourse with partner while wearing damaged condoms he had sabotaged unbeknownst to her and without her consent.

Air Canada v. Toronto Port Authority (Administrative law, Transportation law; Fed. C.A.; December 12, 2011) -- The process followed by the Port Authority for awarding landing slots at the Airport was not susceptible to judicial review.

R. v. Rhodes (Criminal law; Man. C.A.; November 30, 2011) -- Trial judge improperly shifted burden of proof from Crown to accused and therefore misapplied burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Sabre Inc. v. International Air Transport Assn. (Information technology; Ont. C.A.; November 30, 2011) -- Trial judge correctly found that a unilateral confidentiality clause was an important consideration in determining whether IATA would have reasonably regarded the information provided by Sabre as confidential.

R. v. Alexander (Criminal law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; December 7, 2011) -- Accused sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment following conviction for manslaughter of her 19-month-old son by deliberately failing to provide him with medical treatment after he had sustained severe scalding burns caused by immersion in hot water.

Taseko Mines Ltd. v. Phillips (Aboriginal law, Natural resources law, Civil litigation; B.C.S.C.; December 2, 2011) -- Application by First Nations Chief for interim injunction preventing Taseko Mines from proceeding with exploration program pending outcome of application for judicial review of decisions to issue permits to Taseko allowed.

Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board v. Canada (Minister of Agriculture (Government law, Natural resources law, Statutory interpretation; F.C.; December 7, 2011) -- The applicants' request granted for a Declaration that the Minister's conduct in unilaterally introducing Bill C-18, which was intended to replace centralized marketing through the Board with marketing freedom, was an affront to the rule.

Canada (Attorney General) v. Amazon.com, Inc. (Intellectual property law; F.C.A.; November 24, 2011) -- Lower court decision was amended so that the direction amounting to an order to the Commissioner to grant the patent was varied to a direction requiring the Commissioner to re-examine the patent for one-click method of internet shopping with a mind open to the possibility that a novel business method might be an essential element of a valid patent claim.

Combined Air Mechanical Services Inc. v. Flesch (Civil litigation; Ont. C.A.; December 5, 2011) -- Court of Appeal clarified that under the amended Rule 20, the motion judge was required to ask whether a full appreciation of evidence and issues required to make dispositive findings could be achieved by way of summary judgment, or whether full appreciation could only be achieved through trial.

Vancouver (City) v. O'Flynn-Magee (Civil litigation, Municipal law, Tort law; B.C.S.C.; December 1, 2011) -- City established a clear and continuing breach of the City Land Regulation Bylaw through the construction and maintenance of structures, including tents, on the Art Gallery Lands without written permission from the City Manager.

Sivia v. British Columbia (Superintendent of Motor Vehicles) (Constitutional law, Criminal law, Transportation law; B.C.S.C.; November 30, 2011) -- The Automatic Roadside Prohibition legislation infringed s. 8 of the Charter insofar as it imposed significant prohibitions, penalties and costs arising from a "fail" reading over .08 in a context where the limited scope of the review provisions did not provide a meaningful opportunity to challenge the results of the search.

Raguin (Litigation guardian of) v. Insurance Corp. of British Columbia (Health law, Insurance law, Professional responsibility; B.C.C.A.; November 29, 2011) -- There was no risk that including massage therapy as a benefit payable by ICBC would open the floodgates to all manner of therapies.

Stables v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) (Immigration law; F.C.; November 17, 2011) - - Charter right of freedom of association and expression was not intended to protect the applicant's membership in the Hells Angels.

Elfarnawani v. International Olympic Committee (Conflict of laws, Sports and entertainment law; Ont. Sup. Ct. of Justice; November 15, 2011) -- Motion by defendants for stay of proceedings allowed as there was no evidence that the allegedly defamatory material posted on the IOC website was viewed by anyone other than the plaintiff and his legal representatives.

Morin c. Bell Canada (Procédure civile, droit commercial; QCCS; 18 novembre 2011) -- Un recours collectif est autorisé contre Bell Canada pour des frais de résiliation excessifs exigés de ses clients de téléphonie résidentielle. -- A class action is authorized against Bell Canada for excessive resiliation fees imposed on home-phone clients.

Reference re: Criminal Code of Canada (B.C.) (Criminal law, Family law; B.C.S.C.; November 23, 2011) -- Constitutionality of polygamy offence provision, s. 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada was affirmed.

Wier v. Canada (Minister of Health) (Environmental law, Health law; F.C.; November 21, 2011) -- Application by Wier for review of Minister of Health's decision declining request for special review of herbicidal products allowed.

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Canada (Information Commissioner) (Government law, Media and communications law; F.C.A.; November 23, 2011) -- Information Commissioner has the right to examine documents the CBC believed should be kept from the public eye under its right to exclude records related to journalistic, creative and programming activities in order to determine whether this exception applied.

Batty v. Toronto (City) (Constitutional law, Municipal law, Tort law; Ont. Sup. Ct. of Justice; November 21, 2011) -- Charter did not allow Occupy Toronto protesters to appropriate common public space for indefinite period.

Vachon c. R. (Droit criminel; QCCA; 15 novembre 2011) Condamné à 23 ans d'emprisonnement, Vachon n'a pas été représenté avec un minimum de compétence et a donc droit à la tenue d'un nouveau procès. -- Vachon, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison, was not represented competently and has the right to a new trial.

R. v. Nicholson (Criminal law; Ont. C.J.; October 26, 2011) -- While the accused allegedly prepared false certificates of default to collect Social Housing arrears while Collections Supervisor for Region of Durham, Crown did not prove that he intentionally or recklessly committed crimes.

Schaeffer v. Ontario (Provincial Police) (Civil litigation, Professional responsibility; Ont. C.A.; November 15, 2011) -- Police officers involved in an SIU investigation did not have right to have lawyer vet their notes or to assist them in preparation of notes.

Osisanwo v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) (Immigration law; F.C.; October 3, 2011) -- Applicant seeking entry into Canada not required to disclose every extra-marital relationship where there was possibility that child might have been fathered by someone other than husband.

R. v. Christianson (Transportation law; Sask. Q.B.; October 20, 2011) -- Appeal by Christianson, operator of city transit bus, from conviction for failing to wear a seat belt allowed since on an ongoing basis while at the wheel of the city transit bus, he had reason to believe that his safety may be compromised and that by wearing his seatbelt he might not be able to defend himself if attacked.

Stemijon Investments v. Canada (Attorney General) (Taxation; F.C.A.; October 26, 2011) -- Although the Minister's refusal to grant relief from penalties and interest was unreasonable, the court exercised its discretion to refuse relief, as appellants' explanations and stated basis for relief were devoid of merit.

Warman v. Tremaine (Civil litigation; Human rights law; F.C.A.; October 26, 2011) -- Appeal by Canadian Human Rights Commission from dismissal of contempt proceedings brought against Tremaine based on his failure to abide by cease and desist order issued against him by Canadian Human Rights Tribunal allowed, and Tremaine found in contempt for having defied Tribunal's order by continuing to electronically communicate hate literature.

Burnett v. Moir (Tort law, Professional responsibility; B.C.S.C.; November 1, 2011) -- Evidence fell short of establishing requisite proximity to found a duty of care in relationship between Burnett and police defendants both before and after his assault when he was a patron of Cheers Nightclub.

R. v. Tippett (Criminal law; Ont. S.C.J.; October 31, 2011) -- After multiple convictions including kidnapping and sexual assault, accused was declared a dangerous offender with an indeterminate sentence.

Riley v. Nova Scotia (Minister of Community Services) (Government law; N.S.S.C.; October 21, 2011) -- Assistance Appeal Board did not err in finding that equipment and supplies necessary for the growing of medical marijuana was not a special need under Employment Support Regulations.

K.A.K. (Litigation guardian of) v. British Columbia (Government law, Tort law, Damages; B.C.S.C.; October 18, 2011) -- Evidence established that the plaintiffs were in need of protection and had endured serious neglect stemming from their parents neglect for which they were awarded $988,000 in damages for cost of future care, loss of future earning capacity and psychological treatment.

R. c. N'Drin Beugré (Droit criminel; QCCS; 17 octobre 2011) -- Beugré et Cholette, deux collaborateurs de Vincent Lacroix, sont condamnés à huit ans d'emprisonnement. -- Beugré and Cholette, two employees of Vincent Lacroix, are sentenced to eight years of imprisonment.

R. v. Youvarajah (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; October 20, 2011) -- Appeal by Crown from acquittal of Youvarajah on charge of first degree murder allowed, acquittal set aside, and new trial ordered.

British Columbia Teachers' Federation v. British Columbia (Attorney General) (Constitutional law, Government law; B.C.C.A.; October 19, 2011) -- Pre-election period spending limits on third party advertising contravened right to free expression and overshot the overall objective of electoral fairness.

R. v. Kossyrine (Criminal law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; October 13, 2011) -- No real and substantial risk that the publication of Mr. Ross's guilty plea will so taint the pool of prospective jurors that it justified the extreme remedy of imposing a publication ban until the trial of co-accused was completed.

R. v. Jones (Criminal law, Information technology; Ont. C.A.; October 11, 2011) -- Although video images of child pornography from his computer were gathered in violation of accused's Charter rights, this evidence should not be excluded because the Crown who advised the RCMP during the search acted in good faith and society's interest in having child pornography charges tried was very high.

Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Huntley (Immigration law, Civil litigation; Fed. C.A.; October 3, 2011) -- Appeal by Huntley, a white citizen of South Africa who claimed to be the victim of racist attacks, dismissed as being totally unmeritorious.

Journeaux c. Perreault (Procédure civile, professions juridiques; QCCS; 3 octobre 2011) -- Le fait pour Journeaux et ses avocats de connaître des renseignements confidentiels et potentiellement privilégiés qui se rapportent à lui et qui sont en lien avec le litige permet à Perreault de revendiquer la disqualification des avocats de Journeault -- Because Journeaux and his attorneys hold confidential and potentially privileged information on Perreault relating to the litigation, the latter has the right to have Journeault's attorneys declared unable to act on his behalf.

Smith v. Inco Ltd. (Damages, Tort law; Ont. C.A.; October 7, 2011) -- Claimants failed to establish Inco's liability under either private nuisance or the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher as the evidence did not support conclusion that emissions were extra hazardous or fraught with danger.

Bolduc c. Montréal (Ville de) (Droit criminel; QCCA; 4 octobre 2011) L'argument de Bolduc voulant que la signature de l'agent de la paix sur un constat d'infraction réalisé sur support électronique doive être un fac-similé de sa signature habituelle est rejeté par la Cour d'appel. -- The argument by Bolduc that the signature of peace officers on a statement of offence must be similar to their habitual signature was dismissed by the Quebec Court of Appeal.

Picard c. Air Canada (Procédure civile, droits et libertés de la personne; QCCS; 3 octobre 2011) -- Un recours collectif est autorisé contre Air Canada pour les frais imposés aux accompagnateurs de personnes handicapées ou obèses. -- A class action against Air Canada is authorized for fees imposed on persons accompanying handicapped or obese travelers.

Syndicat des employées et employés professionnelles professionnels et de bureau, section locale 573 (CTC-FTQ) c. Québec (Procureur général) (Rapports collectifs de travail, droit constitutionnel; QCCS; 25 août 2011) -- La prépondérance des inconvénients favorise le maintien de l'application de la Loi concernant la lutte contre la corruption malgré une possible entrave à la liberté d'association, étant donné l'objectif de cette loi. -- The balance of convenience favours the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act in Quebec despite a possible infringement on freedom of assembly given the purpose of the Act.

R. v. Fry (Criminal law; B.C.C.A.; September 29, 2011) -- Trial judge's instructions to jury that their evaluation of the truthfulness of the accused's confession had to take into account all of the independent evidence confirming or undermining the reliability of his admission of responsibility were adequate.

Federation of Law Societies of Canada v. Canada (Attorney General) (Constitutional law, Legal profession, Professional responsibility; B.C.S.C.; September 27, 2011) -- Legal counsel exempted from Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act because statutory obligations to obtain and retain financial transaction records infringed solicitor-client confidentiality and s. 7 of Charter.

R. v. Schmidt (Constitutional law, Criminal law, Health law, Natural resources law; Ont. C.J.; September 28, 2011) -- Convictions were entered where appropriate against defendant for offences related to production, sale and distribution of unpasteurized milk products.

Seaworld Parks & Entertainment LLC v. Marineland of Canada Inc. (Civil litigation, Contracts; Ont. C.A.; September 28, 2011) -- Termination provision in the Breeding Loan Agreement for killer whale permitted SeaWorld to terminate when it did, and did not require it to provide a reason for doing so.

R. c. Wilcox (Criminal law; QCCQ; September 12, 2011) -- The Court disbelieves Wilcox's pretenses that getting sexually involved in a sauna for gays, he could take for granted that complainant was indifferent to being HIV infected -- La Cour rejette l'argument de Wilcox à l'effet qu'il pouvait présumer que le plaignant ne se souciait pas d'être infecté par le VIH en raison de ses activités sexuelles dans un sauna.

R. c. Hamel (Droit criminel; QCCQ; 22 septembre 2011) -- La croyance de Hamel quant à la légalité de ses activités de modifications des consoles X-Box étant honnête et raisonnable, il est acquitté. -- Hamel reasonably and honestly believed that his modifying of XBox consoles was not illegal, and he must be acquitted.

Toure c. Brault & Martineau inc. (Procédure civile, droit commercial; QCCS; 23 septembre 2011) -- La Cour supérieure refuse l'authisation de procéder à un recours collectif contre Brault & Martineau en rapport avec une promotion conditionnelle à un paiement comptant. -- The Quebec Superior Court has not authorized the class action proposed against Brault & Martineau in relation to a promotion available to patrons paying cash.

R. v. Woodward (Criminal law, Information technology; Ont. C.A.; September 26, 2011) -- While the offender's prospects for rehabilitation will always warrant consideration, the objectives of denunciation, deterrence, and the need to separate sexual predators from society for the well-being of our children must take precedence.

Jacques v. Hipel Estate (Trustee of) (Civil litigation, Wills, estates and trusts law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; September 7, 2011) -- Although daughter did not receive her share of her father's estate after her mother's death in 1978, too much time had passed based on expiration of limitation period and by operation of doctrine of laches for her to collect money from the trustee.

Wang v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) (Immigration law; F.C.; September 2, 2011) -- Board erroneously determined Wang's knowledge of the Roman Catholic faith by way of "trivia."

Groupe Enico inc. c. Québec (Sous-ministre du Revenu) (Procédure civile, QCCS, 16 septembre 2011) -- Une provision pour frais de 325 404 $ est accordée à Archambault dans le cadre de sa poursuite intentée contre le Sous-ministre du Revenu. -- Archambault is awarded a $325,404 provision for costs to continue his lawsuit against the Deputy Minister of Revenue.

Daoust c. Québec (Directeur général des élections) (Droit constitutionnel; QCCA; 13 septembre 2011) -- Le mode de scrutin majoritaire uninominal à un tour actuellement en vigueur au Québec respecte le droit à une représentation effective des électeurs. -- The first-past-the-post voting system used in Quebec allows for effective representation of voters.

R. v. Forde (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; September 14, 2011) -- New trial ordered on appeal from conviction for manslaughter on the ground that retreating from one's own home was not a factor for jury to consider in determining self-defence while repelling an assault.

R. v. Drabinsky (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; September 13, 2011) -- Judge gave due consideration to inconsistencies in evidence from implicated parties in coming to reasonable verdicts of guilty but sentences reduced to five years for Drabinsky and four years for Gottlieb.

R. v. S.S. (Criminal law; N.B.C.A.; September 8, 2011) -- In stating that no spanking should go on and on to the point that strangers pick up the phone and call the police, the trial judge applied a subjective standard by delegating to an onlooker the determination of guilt or innocence.

Century 21 Canada Ltd. Partnership v. Rogers Communications Inc. (Intellectual property law, Contracts, Tort law, Information technology; B.C.S.C.; September 2, 2011) -- Century 21 failed to rebut the presumption that Rogers only authorized Zoocasa to use the Zoocasa website in accordance with the law, and did not establish that Rogers was liable for Zoocasa's copyright infringement or breach of contract in indexing Century 21's website and copying listings without permission.

W.J.Q.M. v. A.M.A. (Family law; Sask. Q.B.; August 30, 2011) -- Petition by same sex parents for declaration that gestational carrier of child was not child's mother and for order removing carrier's name from registration of live birth allowed.

Armeni c. R. (Droit criminel; QCCA; 24 août 2011) Le verdict et la sentence d'emprisonnement de 19 ans imposés à Armeni pour trafic de cocaïne sont confirmés par la Cour d'appel du Québec. -- Armeni's verdict and 19-year sentence for drug trafficking were confirmed by the Quebec Court of Appeal.

Director of Civil Forfeiture v. Shoquist (Civil litigation; B.C.S.C.; September 2, 2011) -- Although Shoquist acquitted of drug charges, there was nothing inherently abusive in Director pursuing civil proceedings under the Civil Forfeiture Act.

Lonechild v. Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Inc. (c.o.b. Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations) (Aboriginal law, Administrative law; Sask. Q.B.; August 30, 2011) -- Council's decision to suspend Lonechild as Chief of FSIN quashed as he was denied the basic principles of natural justice.

R. v. Nur (Criminal law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; August 30, 2011) -- Minimum three-year sentence for this weapons offence not constitutionally invalid.

Heed v. British Columbia (Chief Electoral Officer) (Government law; B.C.S.C.; August 31, 2011) -- Penalty of being required to pay double the amount by which his election expenses exceeded the limit needed to be imposed to hold Heed responsible for the conduct of his campaign and the actions of those he chose to run it.

Lukacs v. Doering (Administrative law, Civil litigation, Education law; Man. Q.B.; August 25, 2011) -- Professor could not challenge Dean's decision with respect to accommodation of disabled PhD student which ultimately resulted in student obtaining degree as he lacked private or public interest standing.

R. v. A.J.S. (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; August 29, 2011) - - The reasons the trial judge gave for rejecting the appellant's evidence were generic and conclusory, and provided no insight into his reasoning or the basis for reaching the conclusion he did.

Tucows.com Co. v. Lojas Renner S.A. (Civil litigation, Conflict of laws, Information technology; Ont. C.A.; August 5, 2011) -- Motion judge erred in holding that appellant's domain name did not constitute personal property located in Ontario.

Simard c. Keable (Responsabilité professionnelle et déontologie, droit administratif; QCCS; 28 juillet 2011) Le policier ayant asséné un coup de poing à Lizotte pour le contrôler a utilisé une force excessive. -- The police officer who struck Lizotte to bring him under control used excessive force.

R. v. Bear (Criminal law; Man. Q.B.; August 9, 2011) -- Spitting on police officer while accused had cut lip and was aware he was HIV positive constituted assault given intentional nature of conduct but aggravated assault not made out where accused lacked viral load at time of assault to pose significant risk of infecting officer with HIV.

Chalets St-Adolphe inc. c. St-Adolphe d'Howard (Municipalité de) (Droit municipal, droit constitutionnel; QCCA; 17 août 2011) -- La municipalité de St-Adolphe d'Howard n'avait pas le pouvoir de réserver l'accès aux lacs environnants aux embarcations de ses résidents. -- The town of St-Adolphe d'Howard did not have the power to restrict boating access to neighboring lakes to its residents only.

Parizeau c. Barreau du Québec (Responsabilité professionnelle et déontologie, droit administratif; QCCA; 18 août 2011) -- La Cour supérieure devait déférence au Tribunal des professions, qui a ordonné au Barreau du Québec de réinscrire Parizeau. -- The Superior Court owed deference to the Tribunal des professions that ordered the Quebec Bar to readmit Parizeau.

Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Rogan (Immigration law; F.C.; August 18, 2011) -- Respondent obtained his Canadian citizenship by false representation, concealment or fraud in failing to disclose his activities as a reserve police officer and guard during 1992 Bosnian conflict.

Pennyfeather v. Timminco Ltd. (Civil litigation; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; July 13, 2011) -- Defendants ordered to deliver Statement of Defence before certification as closing pleadings would help resolve issues about cause of action and assess plaintiffs' litigation plan.

R. v. Puddy (Criminal law; Ont. C.J.; August 14, 2011) -- The zealous exercise of police arrest powers during G20 political demonstrations distorted the necessary if delicate balance between law enforcement concerns for public safety and order, on the one hand, and individual rights and freedoms, on the other.

Bronskill v. Canada (Minister of Canadian Heritage) (Government law; F.C.; August 11, 2011) -- Library and Archives Canada ordered to disclose RCMP's dossier on Tommy Douglas as is, and not portioned off into what was deemed relevant.

Lalonde c. Tessier (Responsabilité professionnelles; QCCS; 5 août 2011) -- L'action en responsabilité professionnelle des parents d'un enfant handicapé est accordée contre l'obstétricienne Tessier pour une somme de 3 500 000 $. -- The malpractice action brought by the parents of a handicapped child is allowed against obstetrician Tessier for $3,500,000.

Reece v. Edmonton (City) (Civil litigation; Alta. C.A.; August 4, 2011) -- Proceeding by originating notice seeking declaration that City violated the Animal Protection Act with respect to treatment of elephant at City zoo was an abuse of process.

Pétrolia inc. c. Lapointe (Responsabilité civile, Procédure civile; QCCS; 29 juille 2011) -- Pétrolia tente de faire taire l'opinion contraire à la sienne et son action en diffamation doit être rejetée. -- Pétrolia seeks to silence opinions that are contrary to its position, and its defamation suit must be dismissed.

R. v. Cunningham (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; August 3, 2011) -- Lengthy delay in releasing written reasons would lead reasonable observer to conclude that judge's reasons were motivated, at least in part, by the very natural desire to defend her decision against the specific challenge made by the Crown rather than revealing the reasoning that led to the decision on appeal.

R. v. Bucik (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; August 3, 2011) -- Convictions for second degree murder set aside because trial judge failed to relate fundamental principle of reasonable doubt to exculpatory eyewitness evidence.

R. v. Aziga (Criminal law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; August 2, 2011) -- Crown established that Aziga, who was HIV positive and had unprotected sex with women without informing them of HIV status, was dangerous offender and indeterminate period of incarceration required to protect public safety.

R. v. Ho (Criminal law; B.C. Prov. Ct.; June 21, 2011) -- Application by five accused for order quashing search warrants of suspected ecstasy operation allowed as cumulative violations led to conclusion that officers acted in bad faith.

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation v. Canada (Minister of the Environment) (Aboriginal law, Environmental law, Natural resources law; F.C.; July 28, 2011) -- Minister failed to consider treaty rights and honour of Crown in deciding not to recommend emergency order for protection of Alberta caribou population.

Morris v. Johnson (Constitutional law, Information technology, Tort law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; July 20, 2011) -- The public interest favouring disclosure of identity information of the anonymous Defendants did not outweigh the freedom of expression and right to privacy of the persons sought to be identified in the political web postings.

Gauthier c. R. (Droit criminel; QCCA; 26 juillet 2011) -- Le pourvoi de Cathie Gauthier à l'encontre du verdict de culpabilité la déclarant coupable de trois chefs d'accusation de meurtre au premier degré est rejeté. -- Cathie Gauthier, found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, has been denied the right to appeal the verdict.

Aziz v. Al-Masri (Family law, Contracts, Conflict of laws; B.C.S.C.; July 22, 2011) -- Wife's application for order for payment of dowry provided for in Jordanian marriage contract dismissed.

Ontario v. Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. (Alternative dispute resolution, Commercial law; Ont. C.A.; July 20, 2011) -- Appeal by Ontario from motion judge's order staying its application on ground that an arbitration process should be followed allowed, in part.

Lai v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) (Immigration law; F.C.; July 21, 2011) -- Application by Lai for order staying his removal from Canada dismissed because Minister's delegate reasonably determined that Lai would not be executed or have his death arranged while detained or imprisoned in China.

R. v. Roks (Criminal law; Ont. C.A.; July 20, 2011) -- What trial judge did not find, but what was essential to ground conviction for second degree murder, was Roks's subjective foresight of likelihood of co-conspirator's death.

Musilla v. Avcan Management Inc. (Landlord and tenant law; Ont. C.A.; July 12, 2011) -- Landlord not entitled to retain deposit as forfeiture penalties not permitted and parties did not enter into tenancy agreement.

Erickson v. Ontario (Ministry of the Environment) (Environmental law, Natural resources law; Ont. Environmental Review Tribunal; July 18, 2011) -- While there were legitimate concerns and uncertainties about effects of wind turbines on human health, appellants failed to show that Suncor's Kent Breeze Project, as approved, would cause serious direct or indirect harm to human health.

France Animation, s.a. c. Robinson (Propriété intellectuelle; QCCA; 20 juillet 2011) -- La Cour supérieure a eu raison de conclure au caractère original de l'oeuvre d'animation de Claude Robinson, mais lui a accordé une somme exagérée au chapitre des dommages punitifs. -- The Superior Court rightly concluded that Claude Robinson's animation work was original, but it awarded too much punitive damages.

Thibodeau v. Air Canada (Constitutional law, Transportation law, Damages; F.C.; July 13, 2011) -- Air Canada failed to fulfill its obligations under Part IV of Official Languages Act to ensure applicants received services in French and was ordered to give applicants letter of apology; make efforts to comply with its duties under Part IV of Act; and pay $6,000 in damages to each applicant.

R. v. Richardson (Criminal law; Ont. Superior Ct. of Justice; June 28, 2011) -- Accused acquitted because the evidence demonstrated an innocent purpose for having the cocaine in her possession, and she exercised her public duty in calling the police not long after she had sought the advice of friends.

Comité Syndical national de retraite bâtirente inc. c. Société financière Manuvie (Procédure civile, Valeurs mobilières; QCCS; 8 juillet 2011) -- La Cour autorise un recours collectif contre Financière Manuvie basée sur un possible manquement à son obligation d'information continue en vertu de la Loi sur les valeurs mobilières. -- The Court authorizes a class action against Manulife Financial based on an alleged breach of its continuous disclosure obligation.

Meridian Credit Union Ltd. v. Grenville-Wood (Banking and finance law; Ont. C.A.; July 12, 2011) -- Appeal by defendant lawyer from judgment finding him liable for loss sustained by his bank when he unknowingly deposited a materially altered cheque that was then dishonoured by payor, dismissed.

Labatt Brewing Co. v. NHL Enterprises Canada (Civil litigation, Contracts; Ont. C.A.; July 12, 2011) -- Application judge's finding that Labatt and NHL had reached binding sponsorship agreement on November 12, 2010, and as result, NHL was not free to enter into similar agreement with Molson on February 8, 2011, set aside.

Québec (Procureur général) c. Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) (Droit constitutionnel, rapports collectifs de travail; QCCA; 6 juillet 2011) -- La Loi concernant les unités de négociation dans le secteur des affaires sociales ne contrevient pas aux Chartes. -- The Quebec Act respecting Bargaining Units in the Social Affairs Sector does not infringe the Charters.

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