Canadian Broadcasting Corp v Canada (Labour Relations Board)

Canadian Broadcasting Corp v Canada (Labour Relations Board), [1995] 1 S.C.R. 157 is a leading decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on judicial review. The decision affirms the "pragmatic and functional approach" to labour relations and rules that the standard of review for interpreting external legislation should usually be one of correctness.

Canadian Broadcasting Corp v Canada (Labour Relations Board)
Hearing: March 14, 1994
Judgment: January 27, 1995
Full case nameCanadian Broadcasting Corporation v. Canada Labour Relations Board and Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists
Citations[1995] 1 S.C.R. 157
Docket No.23142
Prior historyJudgment against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the Federal Court of Appeal.
RulingAppeal dismissed.
Holding
  1. The standard of review of a Canada Labour Relations Board decision regarding labour practices is one of "patent unreasonableness".
  2. An administrative tribunal's decision that interpretes external legislation does not automatically mean the standard of review becomes "correctness", if the decision is one that would otherwise be within the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Court membership
Chief Justice: Antonio Lamer
Puisne Justices: Gérard La Forest, Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, John Sopinka, Charles Gonthier, Peter Cory, Beverley McLachlin, Frank Iacobucci, John C. Major
Reasons given
MajorityIacobucci J.(paras. 1-87), joined by Lamer C.J. and Cory, and Major JJ.
ConcurrenceLa Forest J. (para. 88)
ConcurrenceL'Heureux‑Dubé J. (paras. 89-93)
ConcurrenceSopinka J. (paras. 94-98)
ConcurrenceGonthier J. (para. 99)
DissentMcLachlin J. (paras. 100-136)

Background

Dale Goldhawk was a CBC host of Cross Country Checkup and president of the union. During the federal election, Goldhawk was an outspoken opponent of NAFTA and free trade. He wrote an article in the Union newspaper that was highly critical of free trade. The CBC found his conduct unacceptable as he was both a host and president. The CBC asked that he chose either to leave one of his two positions. He chose to step down as president and remain a host.

The union filed a complaint against the CBC for interference with the administration of the Union's business which was prohibited under the Canada Labour Code. The Board considered the issue of whether Goldhawk's conduct was protected by the Code. They found that it was and that the CBC violated the Code. It was reasoned that the article was directed at the Union and so was protected under the Code.

The Federal Court of Appeal held that the standard of review was patent unreasonableness and found that on the facts the Board decision was not patently unreasonable.

The issue before the Supreme Court was the decision of the Board was a question of jurisdiction, which would set a standard of review of correctness, and whether a different standard of review should be applied to external statutes such as the Canada Labour Code.

Decision of the Court

Justice Iacobucci, writing for the majority, dismissed the appeal.

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See also
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