Publication
La Cour suprême du Canada tranche : les cadres ne pourront se syndiquer au Québec
Le 19 avril dernier, la Cour suprême du Canada a rendu une décision fort attendue en matière de syndicalisation des cadres.
Mondial | Publication | November 2016
In its recent decision in Alberta (Information and Privacy Commissioner) v University of Calgary1 the Supreme Court of Canada held that the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (IPC) does not have authority to order production of solicitor-client privilege materials under section 56(3) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP).2
In the context of a constructive dismissal claim, a former employee made a request for information under s. 7 of FOIPP. The university claimed solicitor-client privilege over certain records and in accordance with Alberta’s civil practice provided a list of documents identified by page numbers, along with a sworn affidavit indicating solicitor-client privilege had been asserted. Because the university did not follow the “Solicitor‑Client Privilege Adjudication Protocol” established by the IPC, the IPC delegate issued a Notice to Produce Records under s. 56(3) of FOIPP. This section requires a public body to produce records “despite …any privilege of the law of evidence.”
The engagement of solicitor-client privilege, a cornerstone of our legal system protecting a client’s ability to obtain candid legal information, attracted 17 interveners including information and privacy commissioners from across the country and representatives from law society organizations.
The majority decision of the Supreme Court assessed the standard of review as “correctness” and dismissed the case on the basis that solicitor-client privilege is greater than the law of evidence and is a substantive right fundamental to the proper functioning of our legal system. To set aside a fundamental policy such as solicitor-client privilege requires clear and unambiguous legislative language.
The majority held that the language of s. 56(3) did not clearly and unambiguously override solicitor-client privilege. The decision was supported by three main reasons. First, FOIPP establishes that public bodies such as the university may refuse to disclose “information that is subject to any type of legal privilege, including solicitor client privilege.”3 Second, the language of “privilege of the law of evidence,“ which are the words used in FOIPP section 56(3), represents a narrower category than “legal privilege.” Third, if the legislature had intended to set aside solicitor-client privilege it would have also provided safeguards to protect the documents from disclosure, such as addressing whether the disclosure constitutes a waiver of privilege with respect to any other person. Finally, in the alternative, the majority stated that even if FOIPP did intend to set aside solicitor-client privilege, it was not appropriate for the IPC delegate to order the production of the records merely because the university did not follow the protocol established by the IPC.
The author wishes to thank David Reese for his help in preparing this legal update.
1 2016 SCC 53, online: http://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/16251/index.do
2 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSA 2000, c F-25. (FOIPP)
3 FOIPP s. 27(1)(a).
Publication
Le 19 avril dernier, la Cour suprême du Canada a rendu une décision fort attendue en matière de syndicalisation des cadres.
Publication
Le budget 2024 propose d’élargir la portée de certains pouvoirs permettant à l’ARC de demander des renseignements aux contribuables tout en prévoyant de nouvelles conséquences pour les contribuables contrevenants.
Publication
L'impôt minimum de remplacement (IMR) est un impôt sur le revenu additionnel prévu dans la Loi de l’impôt sur le revenu (Canada) (la « Loi ») auquel sont assujettis les particuliers et certaines fiducies qui pourraient autrement avoir recours à certaines déductions et exemptions et à certains crédits pour réduire leur impôt sur le revenu fédéral canadien régulier.
Abonnez-vous et restez à l’affût des nouvelles juridiques, informations et événements les plus récents...
© Norton Rose Fulbright LLP 2023