Date: 20051013
Docket: T-1591-04
Citation: 2005 FC 1397
Ottawa, Ontario, October 13, 2005
PRESENT: THE HONOURABLE MADAM JUSTICE JOHANNE GAUTHIER
BETWEEN:
DOMINION INVESTMENTS (NASSAU) LTD.
-and-
MARTIN TREMBLAY
(President of Dominion Investments (Nassau) Ltd.
Plaintiffs
AND
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA
Defendant
REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER
[1] Dominion Investments Nassau Ltd. (Dominion) has appealed from the decision by the Prothonotary to stay their action for a permanent injunction against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and for damages including punitive and exemplary damages ($6,350,000 US) against Her Majesty, for a period of 12 months to allow the defendant to pursue and complete a police investigation that is currently ongoing. The stay is accompanied by a requirement that the defendant report to the Court within six months regarding any significant change that might make it possible to resume the proceedings and lift the stay.
[2] In that order, the Prothonotary also ordered that the affidavit of Serge Therriault, filed in support of the defendant's motion for the stay, be delivered to her by hand and that all copies held by the Court be destroyed within a reasonable time.
[3] This appeal raises two novel issues:
(i) Can the defendant use the procedure set out in section 37 of the Canada Evidence Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-5 (Evidence Act) to prevent the disclosure of information (in this case, the affidavit of Mr. Therriault prepared specifically to support her motion to stay the action under paragraph 50(1)(b) of the Federal Courts Act, R.S. 1985, c. F-7) (the Act) that she herself chose to file to obtain an order other than the order relating to the disclosure of that information;
(ii) If so, is a stay of proceedings the appropriate remedy to allow the RCMP to complete an ongoing investigation when the conduct of the investigation is itself the central issue in the action in damages, and if so, must the three tests set out in R.J.R. - Macdonald Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), [1994] 1 S.C.R. 311, which are generally applicable in analyzing motions for a stay of proceedings under section 50, be applied in analyzing the merits of the motion?
BACKGROUND
[4] It is not appropriate to review in detail the facts alleged in the action. For the purposes of this appeal, it is sufficient to note that in their action, the plaintiffs allege that in 2002 and 2003, in the course of an investigation, the RCMP disclosed information that was false, misleading and highly prejudicial to their reputations and their business to certain financial institutions with which they did business and to the police in the United States.
[5] That information was allegedly disclosed in relation to a request made by the American authorities for the extradition of Daniel Pelchat, in a document filed in September 2002 in the public record of the Quebec Superior Court, stating:
As part of our financial investigation, we have, together with the RCMP, learned that Pelchat's moneys are deposited into an investment account named Dominion Investments at the Royal Bank of Canada. While that investigation remains ongoing, the RCMP reports that Dominion Investments is a Bahamian money laundering operation affiliated with the Hell's Angels.
[Emphasis added.]
[6] As I said, the plaintiffs are seeking, in addition to the damages they are claiming, an order enjoining the RCMP to cease disclosing any information to anyone regarding the applicants, including any information relating to the facts out of which this action arose. With regard to the allegations in the amended statement of claim, I also understand that they are thereby attempting to put an end to, or prevent, any future investigation in which they might be directly or indirectly implicated.
[7] In her motion record, the defendant included a certificate under section 37 of the Canada Evidence Act referring to, without disclosing, the information found in the redacted affidavit filed in support of the stay motion. Mr. Covey, the Superintendent of the RCMP, stated in that certificate that disclosure of the information in all of the redacted paragraphs of the affidavit would seriously encroach upon a public interest, and more specifically the functioning of the RCMP and of Canadian police services, as well as on the conduct of ongoing criminal investigations. He also certified that it would endanger the lives of individuals who have cooperated with the police services in those investigations, that it would identify or tend to identify informers and individuals who are the subject of investigations and investigative techniques used by the RCMP and, more generally, police intelligence.
[8] The plaintiffs are therefore generally aware of the principles relied on by the defendant to protect the substance of Mr. Therriault's affidavit under section 37, in accordance with the procedure set out in that section. However, they are not aware of the evidence filed by the defendant to establish that she has met the tests set out in R.J.R. - Macdonald Inc., supra, and that she is entitled to a stay of proceedings.
[9] At the hearing before the Prothonotary, the defendant also had an opportunity to make additional submissions ex parte (that is, in the absence of the plaintiffs and their counsel) and to provide an explanation of the evidence filed in support of her stay motion.
[10] In his decision, the Prothonotary first considered the application of section 37 of the Evidence Act, and stated, based on the information in the certificate and the redacted affidavit, that the defendant was justified in objecting to disclosure of the information in the affidavit because there were reasons of public interest not to disclose it. He found that Mr. Covey's certificate complied with the requirements in section 37 and that there was no public interest in disclosure that outweighed the interest identified in the certificate. On that point, he noted, in paragraph 22 of his decision, that "the main reason why disclosure might be in the public interest" is that it is in the interests of justice that parties' rights be recognized as soon as possible when they apply to the courts for a remedy.
[11] On that point, he then said, at paragraph 23:
The right to a speedy disposition is indeed in play here as well, but it cannot outweigh a valid public interest identified in the Certificate. The fact that the plaintiffs are seeking an injunction cannot, in my opinion, make this case more important, because it is uncertain whether that remedy may be granted in this instance.
[12] In the second step, the Prothonotary considered the primary remedy sought by the defendant: a stay of proceedings. After identifying how, in his opinion, the case must be distinguished from Mulroney v. Canada (Attorney General), [1996] Q.J. No. 3868, he concluded that, having regard to the allegations in the statement of claim, the defendant could not present a defence that would protect her right to make full answer and defence, and protect the other public interests referred to in the affidavit, without disclosing the information in the affidavit of Serge Therriault.
[13] In his opinion, this clearly indicated that a stay would be in the public interest within the meaning of paragraph 50(1)(b), but "For greater certainty, and as is the practice of this Court", he then applied the test set out in R.J.R. - Macdonald Inc., supra, and concluded that having regard to the particular facts of the case, a stay of proceedings was the only remedy that could guarantee both the defendant's right to protect the information in the affidavit of Serge Therriault in the public interest and her right to make full answer and defence.
ISSUES
[14] The plaintiffs submit that the Prothonotary made a number of errors of law in his analysis and his application of section 37 of the Evidence Act, as follows:
(i) He refused to apply the principles of law set out in ample criminal jurisprudence, stating simply that those principles relate solely to criminal law, and he did not consider all of the material evidence in the assessment mandated by section 37;
(ii) He did not consider the fact that the defendant was unable to rely on section 37 because the information she wished to protect had already been made public;
(iii) He erred in fact and in law when he refused, notwithstanding subsection 37(5) of the Evidence Act, to establish conditions for disclosure of the information in the affidavit filed by the defendant, such as disclosure to the plaintiffs' counsel only;
[15] The Prothonotary allegedly erred when he agreed to apply the process described in section 37 for protecting information prepared and filed by the defendant of her own accord in order to obtain a procedural advantage, a stay of proceedings (proactive context) rather than in the course of an objection to production of that information (reactive context) when she was or could have been required to do so by a court or other body with the authority to compel her to do so in response to an application for such an order. In the plaintiffs' submission, the Prothonotary also erred, in this context, by hearing submissions ex parte.
[16] The plaintiffs further argue that the Prothonotary erred when he found that a stay of proceedings was an appropriate remedy in this instance and applied the tests in R.J.R. - Macdonald Inc., supra, which in their submission are not an applicable analytical framework, as has been decided by André Rochon J., in Mulroney, supra.
[17] Their final argument is that if the Prothonotary was right to use those tests, he erred in the specific manner in which he applied them, by suggesting that the plaintiffs might not be entitled to obtain an injunction and by failing to consider, inter alia, that there would be irreparable harm to their reputation if the proceedings were stayed.
ANALYSIS
[18] The standard of review that applies to the Prothonotary's decision is settled law (Canada v. Aqua-Gem Investments Ltd., [1993] 2 F.C. 425, Z.I. Pompey Industrie v. ECU-Line N.V., [2003] 1 S.C.R. 450 at paragraph 18). It was recently restated by the Federal Court of Appeal in Merck & Co., Inc. v. Apotex Inc., [2003] F.C.J. No. 1925, where Robert Décary J.A. described it as follows:
Discretionary orders of prothonotaries ought not be disturbed on appeal to a judge unless: (a) the questions raised in the motion are vital to the final issue of the case, or (b) the orders are clearly wrong, in the sense that the exercise of discretion by the prothonotary was based upon a wrong principle or upon a misapprehension of the facts.
[19] The plaintiffs submit that the Prothonotary's decision is vital to the final outcome of the case. However, they have not explained how a stay of proceedings, a measure that is neutral and essentially temporary, would have such an influence that way.
[20] The Prothonotary's decision to apply the process set out in section 37 to the information in the redacted affidavit is indeed vital to the final outcome of the motion, but certainly not to the outcome of the action. As I will explain later, that decision does not relate to the future disclosure of information or documents during the proceeding once the stay is lifted.
[21] In any event, for the reasons that I will explain below, I am satisfied that the Prothonotary erred in law when he agreed to apply section 37 of the Evidence Act to the stay motion. In addition, if I am not mistaken on this point, in my opinion the Prothonotary was clearly wrong in his assessment of the interests at stake in relation to the application of section 37 and paragraph 50(1)(b) of the Act. That error justifies that I consider the motion de novo. I will return to this point.
A. Application of section 37 of the Evidence Act
[22] First, we should note that at the hearing before the Prothonotary the plaintiffs did not suggest that section 37 did not apply. In response to questions by the Court, the plaintiffs submitted that the defendant could not rely on section 37 to prevent the disclosure of the evidence she had herself filed in support of her request for a stay because the result would be grossly unfair and could not be sanctioned by the Court given the wording of this section.
[23] Because there is no indication that relevant evidence needed for this question of law to be disposed of is missing, the Court must consider it in the appeal (Athey v. Leonati, [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458, at paragraph 51 and 671905 Alberta Inc. v. Q'Max Solutions Inc. (C.A.), [2003] F.C.J. No. 873, at paragraph 35).
[24] I will therefore examine that argument. For the purposes of this analysis, I will adopt the principles of interpretation summarized by Iacobucci J. in Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership v. Rex, [2002] 2 S.C.R. 559, at pages 580 and 581:
26 In Elmer Driedger's definitive formulation, found at p. 87 of his Construction of Statutes (2nd ed. 1983):
Today there is only one principle or approach, namely, the words of an Act are to be read in their entire context and in their grammatical and ordinary sense harmoniously with the scheme of the Act, the object of the Act, and the intention of Parliament.
Driedger's modern approach has been repeatedly cited by this Court as the preferred approach to statutory interpretation across a wide range of interpretive settings: see, for example, ... . I note as well that, in the federal legislative context, this Court's preferred approach is buttressed by s. 12 of the Interpretation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-21, which provides that every enactment "is deemed remedial, and shall be given such fair, large and liberal construction and interpretation as best ensures the attainment of its objects".
27 The preferred approach recognizes the important role that context must inevitably play when a court construes the written words of a statute: as Professor John Willis incisively noted in his seminal article "Statute Interpretation in a Nutshell" (1938), 16 Can. Bar Rev. 1, at p. 6, "words, like people, take their colour from their surroundings". This being the case, where the provision under consideration is found in an Act that is itself a component of a larger statutory scheme, the surroundings that colour the words and the scheme of the Act are more expansive. In such an instance, the application of Driedger's principle gives rise to what was described in ... as "the principle of interpretation that presumes a harmony, coherence, and consistency between statutes dealing with the same subject matter".
[25] It will be useful to reproduce here the most relevant provisions of section 37 and of sections 38 and 39 of the Evidence Act, since those provisions comprise a code or set of rules designed to govern the exercise of public interest immunity, including sensitive information and Privy Council confidences.
| Canada Evidence Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-5, as amended:
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Loi sur la preuve au Canada, L.R. 1985, ch. C-5, tel qu'amendée:
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| 37. (1) Subject to sections 38 to 38.16, a Minister of the Crown in right of Canada or other official may object to the disclosure of information before a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information by certifying orally or in writing to the court, person or body that the information should not be disclosed on the grounds of a specified public interest.
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37. (1) Sous réserve des articles 38 à 38.16, tout ministre fédéral ou tout fonctionnaire peut s'opposer à la divulgation de renseignements auprès d'un tribunal, d'un organisme ou d'une personne ayant le pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements, en attestant verbalement ou par écrit devant eux que, pour des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, ces renseignements ne devraient pas être divulgués.
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| (1.1) If an objection is made under subsection (1), the court, person or body shall ensure that the information is not disclosed other than in accordance with this Act.
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(1.1) En cas d'opposition, le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne veille à ce que les renseignements ne soient pas divulgués, sauf en conformité avec la présente loi.
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| (2) If an objection to the disclosure of information is made before a superior court, that court may determine the objection.
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(2) Si l'opposition est portée devant une cour supérieure, celle-ci peut décider la question.
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| (3) If an objection to the disclosure of information is made before a court, person or body other than a superior court, the objection may be determined, on application, by |
(3) Si l'opposition est portée devant un tribunal, un organisme ou une personne qui ne constituent pas une cour supérieure, la question peut être décidée, sur demande, par : |
| (a) the Federal Court, in the case of a person or body vested with power to compel production by or under an Act of Parliament if the person or body is not a court established under a law of a province; or |
a) la Cour fédérale, dans les cas où l'organisme ou la personne investis du pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements sous le régime d'une loi fédérale ne constituent pas un tribunal régi par le droit d'une province; |
| (b) the trial division or trial court of the superior court of the province within which the court, person or body exercises its jurisdiction, in any other case.
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b) la division ou le tribunal de première instance de la cour supérieure de la province dans le ressort de laquelle le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne ont compétence, dans les autres cas.
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| (4) An application under subsection (3) shall be made within 10 days after the objection is made or within any further or lesser time that the court having jurisdiction to hear the application considers appropriate in the circumstances.
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(4) Le délai dans lequel la demande visée au paragraphe (3) peut être faite est de dix jours suivant l'opposition, mais le tribunal saisi peut modifier ce délai s'il l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances.
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| (4.1) Unless the court having jurisdiction to hear the application concludes that the disclosure of the information to which the objection was made under subsection (1) would encroach upon a specified public interest, the court may authorize by order the disclosure of the information.
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(4.1) Le tribunal saisi peut rendre une ordonnance autorisant la divulgation des renseignements qui ont fait l'objet d'une opposition au titre du paragraphe (1), sauf s'il conclut que leur divulgation est préjudiciable au regard des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées.
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| (5) If the court having jurisdiction to hear the application concludes that the disclosure of the information to which the objection was made under subsection (1) would encroach upon a specified public interest, but that the public interest in disclosure outweighs in importance the specified public interest, the court may, by order, after considering both the public interest in disclosure and the form of and conditions to disclosure that are most likely to limit any encroachment upon the specified public interest resulting from disclosure, authorize the disclosure, subject to any conditions that the court considers appropriate, of all of the information, a part or summary of the information, or a written admission of facts relating to the information.
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(5) Si le tribunal saisi conclut que la divulgation des renseignements qui ont fait l'objet d'une opposition au titre du paragraphe (1) est préjudiciable au regard des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, mais que les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation l'emportent sur les raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, il peut par ordonnance, compte tenu des raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation ainsi que de la forme et des conditions de divulgation les plus susceptibles de limiter le préjudice au regard des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, autoriser, sous réserve des conditions qu'il estime indiquées, la divulgation de tout ou partie des renseignements, d'un résumé de ceux-ci ou d'un aveu écrit des faits qui y sont liés.
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| (6) If the court does not authorize disclosure under subsection (4.1) or (5), the court shall, by order, prohibit disclosure of the information.
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(6) Dans les cas où le tribunal n'autorise pas la divulgation au titre des paragraphes (4.1) ou (5), il rend une ordonnance interdisant la divulgation.
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| (6.1) The court may receive into evidence anything that, in the opinion of the court, is reliable and appropriate, even if it would not otherwise be admissible under Canadian law, and may base its decision on that evidence.
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(6.1) Le tribunal peut recevoir et admettre en preuve tout élément qu'il estime digne de foi et approprié -- même si le droit canadien ne prévoit pas par ailleurs son admissibilité -- et peut fonder sa décision sur cet élément.
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| 37.3 (1) A judge presiding at a criminal trial or other criminal proceeding may make any order that he or she considers appropriate in the circumstances to protect the right of the accused to a fair trial, as long as that order complies with the terms of any order made under any of subsections 37(4.1) to (6) in relation to that trial or proceeding or any judgment made on appeal of an order made under any of those subsections.
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37.3 (1) Le juge qui préside un procès criminel ou une autre instance criminelle peut rendre l'ordonnance qu'elle estime indiquée dans les circonstances en vue de protéger le droit de l'accusé à un procès équitable, pourvu que telle ordonnance soit conforme à une ordonnance rendue au titre de l'un des paragraphes 37(4.1) à (6) relativement à ce procès ou à cette instance ou à la décision en appel portant sur une ordonnance rendue au titre de l'un ou l'autre de ces paragraphes.
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| (2) The orders that may be made under subsection (1) include, but are not limited to, the following orders: |
(2) L'ordonnance rendue au titre du paragraphe (1) peut notamment : |
| (a) an order dismissing specified counts of the indictment or information, or permitting the indictment or information to proceed only in respect of a lesser or included offence; |
a) annuler un chef d'accusation d'un acte d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation, ou autoriser l'instruction d'un chef d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation pour une infraction moins grave ou une infraction incluse; |
| (b) an order effecting a stay of the proceedings; and |
b) ordonner l'arrêt des procédures; |
| (c) an order finding against any party on any issue relating to information the disclosure of which is prohibited.
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c) être rendue à l'encontre de toute partie sur toute question liée aux renseignements dont la divulgation est interdite.
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| 38.01 (1) Every participant who, in connection with a proceeding, is required to disclose, or expects to disclose or cause the disclosure of, information that the participant believes is sensitive information or potentially injurious information shall, as soon as possible, notify the Attorney General of Canada in writing of the possibility of the disclosure, and of the nature, date and place of the proceeding. |
38.01 (1) Tout participant qui, dans le cadre d'une instance, est tenu de divulguer ou prévoit de divulguer ou de faire divulguer des renseignements dont il croit qu'il s'agit de renseignements sensibles ou de renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables est tenu d'aviser par écrit, dès que possible, le procureur général du Canada de la possibilité de divulgation et de préciser dans l'avis la nature, la date et le lieu de l'instance. |
| (2) Every participant who believes that sensitive information or potentially injurious information is about to be disclosed, whether by the participant or another person, in the course of a proceeding shall raise the matter with the person presiding at the proceeding and notify the Attorney General of Canada in writing of the matter as soon as possible, whether or not notice has been given under subsection (1). In such circumstances, the person presiding at the proceeding shall ensure that the information is not disclosed other than in accordance with this Act.
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(2) Tout participant qui croit que des renseignements sensibles ou des renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables sont sur le point d'être divulgués par lui ou par une autre personne au cours d'une instance est tenu de soulever la question devant la personne qui préside l'instance et d'aviser par écrit le procureur général du Canada de la question dès que possible, que ces renseignements aient fait ou non l'objet de l'avis prévu au paragraphe (1). Le cas échéant, la personne qui préside l'instance veille à ce que les renseignements ne soient pas divulgués, sauf en conformité avec la présente loi.
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| 38.02 (1.1) When an entity listed in the schedule, for any purpose listed there in relation to that entity, makes a decision or order that would result in the disclosure of sensitive information or potentially injurious information, the entity shall not disclose the information or cause it to be disclosed until notice of intention to disclose the information has been given to the Attorney General of Canada and a period of 10 days has elapsed after notice was given.
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38.02 (1.1) Dans le cas où une entité mentionnée à l'annexe rend, dans le cadre d'une application qui y est mentionnée en regard de celle-ci, une décision ou une ordonnance qui entraînerait la divulgation de renseignements sensibles ou de renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables, elle ne peut les divulguer ou les faire divulguer avant que le procureur général du Canada ait été avisé de ce fait et qu'il se soit écoulé un délai de dix jours postérieur à l'avis.
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| 38.04 (1) The Attorney General of Canada may, at any time and in any circumstances, apply to the Federal Court for an order with respect to the disclosure of information about which notice was given under any of subsections 38.01(1) to (4).
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38.04 (1) Le procureur général du Canada peut, à tout moment et en toutes circonstances, demander à la Cour fédérale de rendre une ordonnance portant sur la divulgation de renseignements à l'égard desquels il a reçu un avis au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.01(1) à (4).
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| 38.06 (1) Unless the judge concludes that the disclosure of the information would be injurious to international relations or national defence or national security, the judge may, by order, authorize the disclosure of the information. |
38.06 (1) Le juge peut rendre une ordonnance autorisant la divulgation des renseignements, sauf s'il conclut qu'elle porterait préjudice aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales. |
| (2) If the judge concludes that the disclosure of the information would be injurious to international relations or national defence or national security but that the public interest in disclosure outweighs in importance the public interest in non-disclosure, the judge may by order, after considering both the public interest in disclosure and the form of and conditions to disclosure that are most likely to limit any injury to international relations or national defence or national security resulting from disclosure, authorize the disclosure, subject to any conditions that the judge considers appropriate, of all of the information, a part or summary of the information, or a written admission of facts relating to the information.
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(2) Si le juge conclut que la divulgation des renseignements porterait préjudice aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales, mais que les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation l'emportent sur les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la non-divulgation, il peut par ordonnance, compte tenu des raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation ainsi que de la forme et des conditions de divulgation les plus susceptibles de limiter le préjudice porté aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales, autoriser, sous réserve des conditions qu'il estime indiquées, la divulgation de tout ou partie des renseignements, d'un résumé de ceux-ci ou d'un aveu écrit des faits qui y sont liés.
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| 38.08 If the judge determines that a party to the proceeding whose interests are adversely affected by an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) was not given the opportunity to make representations under paragraph 38.04(5)(d), the judge shall refer the order to the Federal Court of Appeal for review.
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38.08 Si le juge conclut qu'une partie à l'instance dont les intérêts sont lésés par une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) n'a pas eu la possibilité de présenter ses observations au titre de l'alinéa 38.04(5)d), il renvoie l'ordonnance à la Cour d'appel fédérale pour examen.
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| 38.11 (1) A hearing under subsection 38.04(5) or an appeal or review of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) shall be heard in private and, at the request of either the Attorney General of Canada or, in the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Minister of National Defence, shall be heard in the National Capital Region, as described in the schedule to the National Capital Act. |
38.11 (1) Les audiences prévues au paragraphe 38.04(5) et l'audition de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) sont tenues à huis clos et, à la demande soit du procureur général du Canada, soit du ministre de la Défense nationale dans le cas des instances engagées sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale, elles ont lieu dans la région de la capitale nationale définie à l'annexe de la Loi sur la capitale nationale. |
| (2) The judge conducting a hearing under subsection 38.04(5) or the court hearing an appeal or review of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) may give any person who makes representations under paragraph 38.04(5)(d), and shall give the Attorney General of Canada and, in the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Minister of National Defence, the opportunity to make representations ex parte.
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(2) Le juge saisi d'une affaire au titre du paragraphe 38.04(5) ou le tribunal saisi de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) donne au procureur général du Canada -- et au ministre de la Défense nationale dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale -- la possibilité de présenter ses observations en l'absence d'autres parties. Il peut en faire de même pour les personnes qu'il entend en application de l'alinéa 38.04(5)d).
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| 38.14 (1) The person presiding at a criminal proceeding may make any order that he or she considers appropriate in the circumstances to protect the right of the accused to a fair trial, as long as that order complies with the terms of any order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) in relation to that proceeding, any judgment made on appeal from, or review of, the order, or any certificate issued under section 38.13. |
38.14 (1) La personne qui préside une instance criminelle peut rendre l'ordonnance qu'elle estime indiquée en l'espèce en vue de protéger le droit de l'accusé à un procès équitable, pourvu que telle ordonnance soit conforme à une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) relativement à cette instance, a une décision en appel ou découlant de l'examen ou au certificat délivré au titre de l'article 38.13. |
| (2) The orders that may be made under subsection (1) include, but are not limited to, the following orders: |
(2) L'ordonnance rendue au titre du paragraphe (1) peut notamment : |
| (a) an order dismissing specified counts of the indictment or information, or permitting the indictment or information to proceed only in respect of a lesser or included offence; |
a) annuler un chef d'accusation d'un acte d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation, ou autoriser l'instruction d'un chef d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation pour une infraction moins grave ou une infraction incluse; |
| (b) an order effecting a stay of the proceedings; and |
b) ordonner l'arrêt des procédures; |
| (c) an order finding against any party on any issue relating to information the disclosure of which is prohibited.
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c) être rendue à l'encontre de toute partie sur toute question liée aux renseignements dont la divulgation est interdite.
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| 39. (1) Where a minister of the Crown or the Clerk of the Privy Council objects to the disclosure of information before a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information by certifying in writing that the information constitutes a confidence of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, disclosure of the information shall be refused without examination or hearing of the information by the court, person or body. |
39. (1) Le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne qui ont le pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements sont, dans les cas où un ministre ou le greffier du Conseil privé s'opposent à la divulgation d'un renseignement, tenus d'en refuser la divulgation, sans l'examiner ni tenir d'audition à son sujet, si le ministre ou le greffier attestent par écrit que le renseignement constitue un renseignement confidentiel du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada. |
| (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), "a confidence of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada" includes, without restricting the generality thereof, information contained in |
(2) Pour l'application du paragraphe (1), un " renseignement confidentiel du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada » s'entend notamment d'un renseignement contenu dans : |
| (a) a memorandum the purpose of which is to present proposals or recommendations to Council; |
a) une note destinée à soumettre des propositions ou recommandations au Conseil; |
| (b) a discussion paper the purpose of which is to present background explanations, analyses of problems or policy options to Council for consideration by Council in making decisions; |
b) un document de travail destiné à présenter des problèmes, des analyses ou des options politiques à l'examen du Conseil; |
| (c) an agendum of Council or a record recording deliberations or decisions of Council; |
c) un ordre du jour du Conseil ou un procès-verbal de ses délibérations ou décisions; |
| (d) a record used for or reflecting communications or discussions between ministers of the Crown on matters relating to the making of government decisions or the formulation of government policy; |
d) un document employé en vue ou faisant état de communications ou de discussions entre ministres sur des questions liées à la prise des décisions du gouvernement ou à la formulation de sa politique; |
| (e) a record the purpose of which is to brief Ministers of the Crown in relation to matters that are brought before, or are proposed to be brought before, Council or that are the subject of communications or discussions referred to in paragraph (d); and |
e) un document d'information à l'usage des ministres sur des questions portées ou qu'il est prévu de porter devant le Conseil, ou sur des questions qui font l'objet des communications ou discussions visées à l'alinéa d); |
| (f) draft legislation.
|
f) un avant-projet de loi ou projet de règlement.
|
| (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), "Council" means the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, committees of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Cabinet and committees of Cabinet.
|
(3) Pour l'application du paragraphe (2), " Conseil » s'entend du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada, du Cabinet et de leurs comités respectifs.
|
| (4) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of |
(4) Le paragraphe (1) ne s'applique pas |
| (a) a confidence of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada that has been in existence for more than twenty years; or |
a) à un renseignement confidentiel du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada dont l'existence remonte à plus de vingt ans; |
| 1. (b) a discussion paper described in paragraph (2)(b) |
b) à un document de travail visé à l'alinéa (2)b), dans les cas où les décisions auxquelles il se rapporte ont été rendues publiques ou, à défaut de publicité, ont été rendues quatre ans auparavant. |
| (i) if the decisions to which the discussion paper relates have been made public, or |
|
| (ii) where the decisions have not been made public, if four years have passed since the decisions were made. |
[26] Originally, Parliament had included the rules on this subject in the Federal Court Act, R.S.C. 1970 (2nd Supp.), c. 10, section 41 (see Appendix A), even though it was clear that its intention was that they would apply not only in this Court but also in all courts with the authority to compel the production of information protected by a public interest immunity.
[27] It was then clear that Parliament had simply codified the common law principles, and not repealed them.[1] It confirmed that the Court may examine information that relates to international or federal-provincial relations or national defence or security, or to Privy Council confidences. After considering whether the proper administration of justice outweighs the specified public interest, the Court may order disclosure. It specifies, however, that the power to examine and order disclosure does not apply to information relating to the interests specified in subsection 41(2).
[28] On July 7, 1982, section 41 of the Federal Court Act was repealed (S.C. 1980-81-82-83, c. 111, s. 3). New provisions were incorporated into the Evidence Act (see Appendix "A").[2] The new section 37 now specifies that not only may a minister of the Crown object to disclosure of information, and that the objection may be made not only to a court, but to any person with jurisdiction to compel the production of such information. In that sense, the amendments do not seem to depart from the common law principles that applied at the time.
[29] Section 38 introduces the new concept of designated judge and now permits the documents to be examined by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court or another judge designated by the Chief Justice, even where the objection is based on reasons of international relations or national defence and security.
[30] In Gold v. R. (F.C.A.), [1986] 2 F.C. 129, the first decision of the Federal Court of Appeal in which these provisions arose in a civil case, the Court said:
17 The circumstances which led Parliament, at the instance of the government, to change radically the laws governing access to information in government files, Canada's security service and, specifically, to repeal subsection 41(2) of the Federal Court Act [R.S.C. 1970 (2nd Supp.), c. 10 (as am. by S.C. 1980-81-82-83, c. 111, s. 3)], ought to be fresh in judicial minds. As to the latter, Parliament has manifestly found it expedient to substitute a judicial discretion for what was heretofore an absolute right on the part of the executive to refuse disclosure. It is not to be assumed that any of this transpired because the government of the day was spontaneously taken by a selfless desire to share its secrets. The executive had been unable to sustain the credibility of the system of absolute privilege codified in subsection 41(2). The new system was a politically necessary response to serious public concerns. Effective judicial supervision is an essential element of the new system. Among other aspects of the new system, its credibility is dependent on a public appreciation that the competing public interests are, in fact, being judicially balanced. It will not be well served if it appears that the exercise of judicial discretion is automatically abdicated because national security is accepted as so vital that the fair administration of justice is assumed incapable of outweighing it. Each application under section 36.2 must be dealt with on its own merits.
[31] Following the events of September 11 and the enactment of the Anti-terrorism Act, 2001, c. 41, in December 2001, major changes were made to those rules, and in particular to section 38 (see Appendix "A"). A number of new points were added to section 37: for example, it now provides that the Court is entitled to hold hearings in camera and that it has the authority to hear a party in the absence of other parties (37.21(1) and (2)).
[32] Although Parliament extensively reorganized the text of section 38, which no longer makes any reference to the concept of objection ("opposition" in French), it did not change the wording of sections 37 and 39, which still deal with objection to the disclosure of information before a court or a person with jurisdiction to compel the production of information
[33] In section 38, it is clear that the Attorney General may now ask a designated judge to make a non-disclosure order in the course of a proceeding in which a participant is required to disclose or expects to disclose or cause the disclosure of sensitive information as defined in that section.
[34] To complete this review of the legislative history of these provisions, it should be noted that in April 2004, Parliament repealed section 37.21 of the Evidence Act, the provision that expressly referred to the power to hold hearings in camera and to hear parties ex parte (S.C. 2004, c. 12, s. 18). It seems that after the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ruby v. Canada (Solicitor General), [2002] 4 S.C.R. 3, Parliament wished to redress certain excesses. As we know, debate about the Anti-terrorism Act continues today.
[35] The parties confirmed that despite their exhaustive research, they were unable to find a single precedent in which either the common law immunity or the immunity provided in section 37 of the current version or former versions of the Evidence Act was used by a minister or any other authorized person in a proactive context, that is, to protect information or documents that the party who objects to the disclosure had itself produced or placed in issue.[3]
[36] While section 37, as I noted, was originally intended to be a codification of the case law relating to public interest immunity, it is difficult to imagine that Parliament's intention was to go beyond the reactive context in which that immunity had traditionally been invoked and granted.
[37] The defendant admits that the wording of section 37, on its face, seems to be designed to protect information in a reactive context in connection with a request for production and disclosure.
[38] On that point, it should be noted that section 39, which accords virtually absolute immunity for Privy Council confidences, also provides for objection to disclosure before a court or a person with jurisdiction to compel the production of information. Obviously, because the Court cannot examine or even see the documents or information in question, Parliament could not have intended that language to refer to a proactive context where, for example, a minister wanted to produce such information as evidence in support of a motion for a stay.
[39] As I said, it is entirely clear that these three sections (37 to 39 of the Evidence Act) must be interpreted as a single unit and that Parliament is presumed to have used the same word in the same sense in each of those sections, and particularly in sections 37 and 39.
[40] It is also difficult to imagine why Parliament limited the application of section 37 by referring to a court or person with jurisdiction to compel production if it intended to allow an authorized person to use it to prevent disclosure of evidence that he or she voluntarily produced before such a court or person. Logically, if that were what Parliament intended, it would have referred to the power to compel disclosure rather than production.
[41] The defendant submits that the Court must nonetheless apply a practical interpretation to section 37. In the defendant's submission, limiting its application to a purely reactive context, in the circumstances of this case, would create a flagrant injustice.
[42] The defendant cited section 12 of the Interpretation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-21, which states that every enactment is deemed remedial and shall be given such fair, large and liberal interpretation as best ensures the attainment of its objects. In the defendant's submission, because there are no precedents that prohibit it, the Court must include its right to object to disclosure of evidence produced by her in order to protect her rights, and particularly her right to defend her interests.
[43] The Court is aware of the dilemma faced by the defendant. However, it is important to recall that the defendant is in fact asking the Court to interpret section 37 as if it had the same scope as section 38 and read like that section, which allows for an application for a non-disclosure order to be made in any proceeding before a person with jurisdiction to compel disclosure, whether the party is required to disclose as a result of a request by a third party or simply wishes to disclose to support its own position in a proceeding.[4]
[44] Although the defendant did not address any proceeding other than a motion for a stay, she did not say how the Court could limit the proactive interpretation of section 37 to that proceeding alone. Today, the dilemma arises within that framework only, but there is nothing to suggest that it might not arise in the framework of, for example, a motion to strike or a motion for summary judgment.
[45] If we accept the principle that section 37 must be interpreted in such a way as to allow the defendant to use the information to preserve her right to present a defence, why would we deny the right to file a redacted statement of defence, for example, and obtain a non-disclosure order allowing her to present that evidence to the Court without the other party having access to it?
[46] The Court would of course then have the power to balance the public interests in play and order disclosure subject to conditions, but that mechanism is already an exception to a number of fundamental principles of our law, which requires that proceedings be public, that the administration of justice be transparent, that the Court have the benefit of adversarial proceedings before making a decision and that each party have access to all of the relevant evidence, and particularly to the evidence presented to the Court by the opposing party (see, inter alia, Ruby, supra, and Vancouver Sun v. Canada (Attorney General), [2004] 2 S.C.R. 332.
[47] In these circumstances, the Court must adopt a rigorous approach.
[48] The Court must also have regard to the principle holding that if, as the defendant argues (and as is not accepted), section 37 is capable of two interpretations that are also consistent with the objects of the Act or the intention of Parliament, the Court must prefer the interpretation that is most consistent with the fundamental principles of our law that I set out above.
[49] I am also satisfied that if section 37 is interpreted as allowing objection to be made in a reactive context only, it is remedial and ensures the attainment of its objects perfectly.
[50] I conclude from my review of all of the factors that are relevant to a purposive interpretation of section 37 that neither the Prothonotary nor the Court has the power under that section to make a non-disclosure order in respect of Insp. Therriault's affidavit, which was filed by the defendant in support of her request for a stay and which includes her evidence regarding the irreparable harm she claims she would suffer. That provision does not allow the Court to hear an application other than a simple objection to disclosure, having regard to "secret" evidence, that is, information that cannot be disclosed to the other party.
B. The Stay Motion
[51] That being said, and as an alternative condition, if section 37, contrary to what I have said, applies in a proactive context as suggested by the defendant, I think that the Prothonotary failed to have regard to the correct public interest principles that support disclosure in his analysis, and confused the factors that are relevant to the analysis of the motion under paragraph 50(1)(b) of the Act with the principles relevant to an order under section 37 of the Evidence Act.
[52] For example, as I said in paragraph 10 above, when the Prothonotary considered whether to do an analysis under subsection 37(5), he said that the central public interest reason in support of disclosure was the reason identified in Mulroney, supra: the right to a speedy hearing. Obviously, that question is relevant in determining whether a stay should be granted under paragraph 50(1)(b), but it is certainly not the central reason in support of disclosure.
[53] The public interest that operates in support of disclosure is, for example, a party's right to have access to all of the evidence relevant to the proceeding before the Court. In this case, that proceeding was not the action in damages, as the plaintiffs seem to have assumed; rather, it was the stay motion. In fact, as I said earlier, that is the novel factor in this case. The fact that the action includes a claim for an injunction (see paragraph 11 above) is also not relevant to the exercise directed by section 37 of the Evidence Act. However, it is relevant to the analysis of the merits of the stay motion.
[54] Because the Prothonotary makes no reference to the principles of the public nature of proceedings and the right of every party to have a fair chance to assert its position and to rebut all arguments and evidence introduced by the opposing party, we might wonder whether those concepts were indeed taken into account and given their proper weight. In Gold, supra, the Federal Court of Appeal had already pointed out that Parliament has recognized that the public interest in the administration of justice, which supports disclosure, may outweigh even the public interest in national security, and that the scheme of the Act does not expose any obvious imbalance between those interests.
[55] In paragraphs 35 to 38, the Prothonotary analyzed the three-part test set out in R.J.R. - Macdonald Inc., supra, as follows:
35 For greater certainty, and as is the practice of this Court, I nonetheless intend to apply that three-part test. On that point, I think that the foregoing reasons indicate that the defendant's motion raises a serious issue and that she would suffer irreparable harm if the stay of proceedings were not ordered. It is also clear from the foregoing study that, on the question of the balance of convenience, the defendant is most seriously affected if the stay is denied.
36 In short, the defendant is entitled to require that the privileged information that appears in Serge Therriault's affidavit not be jeopardized.
37 Similarly, the defendant is entitled to be able to make full answer and defence.
38 Having regard to the specific facts of this case, a stay of these proceedings is the only remedy that reconciles those two rights.
[56] The use of the words "for greater certainty" suggests that the Prothonotary thought that his analysis under section 37, in which he concluded that the public interests referred to in Serge Therriault's affidavit outweighed the public interests that supported disclosure, together with his conclusion that the defendant could not prepare a sound defence without disclosing it[5], was sufficient reason to stay the action.
[57] The serious issue advanced by the defendant was indeed as follows:
[TRANSLATION] Is the defendant able to make full answer and defence without disclosing the information referred to in the affidavit of Insp. Serge Therriault?
[58] While that was the question that had to be asked according to R.J.R. - Macdonald, it called for an analysis of the possible application of section 37, but in this case to the action. At that stage, the Court was going to have to ask whether the information to be disclosed was essential and crucial to the success of the action or the defence. This is different from the application of section 37 to the stay motion. I conclude that the Prothonotary either erred in his analysis under section 37 in relation to the motion or confused the two levels of analysis when he examined the serious issue advanced.
[59] In addition, the Court cannot follow the defendant's reasoning, which was adopted by the Prothonotary. At what point will the judge who hears the matter on the merits have to decide this issue? It really seems that it arises only in relation to the stay motion or to an objection that might be made under section 37. At the hearing, however, the defendant argued that the purpose of the stay was to enable her to use her information to present a defence once the ongoing criminal investigations have been completed.
[60] In addition, the purpose of that test (serious issue) is to ensure that the position of the party seeking a stay is not frivolous, in terms of the merits of the action or defence. The question advanced by the defendant does not answer that concern, in my opinion.
[61] For these reasons, I conclude that I must exercise my discretion de novo and that there is no need to analyze the other arguments made by the plaintiffs on this point.
[62] As I said earlier, I assume at this stage that section 37 applies in this situation and in a proactive context.
[63] In this context, even if I agree that Mr. Therriault's affidavit must not be disclosed, after completing the exercise directed by section 37 of the Evidence Act, I am not satisfied that the defendant has established that she will suffer irreparable harm if the action is not stayed.
[64] In this respect, I believe that the motion is premature.
[65] There is nothing to indicate that the defendant could not file a redacted statement of defence and that, if necessary, the judge who is asked to make an order under section 37, at that point, could not, if he or she found it appropriate under subsection 37(5), set a reasonable time within which the defendant would have to disclose the redacted information, as a condition of disclosure.
[66] In addition, because the Court must ordinarily balance the diverse interests in play, an exercise that includes assessing the relevance of the information in the strict sense (Jose Pereira E Hijos, S.A. v. Canada (Attorney General), [2002] F.C.J. No. 1658 (F.C.A.) (QL) at paragraphs 17 and 18, Canada (Attorney General) v. Ribic, [2003] F.C.J. No. 1964 (F.C.A.) (QL) at paragraph 22), the Court must have before it as many details as possible regarding the defence that the defendant intends to assert. At this stage, I am not satisfied that I have sufficient evidence in that regard.
[67] I am also not satisfied that a stay would resolve the dilemma faced by the defendant today. As Mr. Covey said, her objection is based on a number of public interests, not only the interest in ongoing police investigations. How would a stay resolve the dilemma in respect of the information that Superintendent Covey included in categories B, D and E, to mention only that information.
[68] It is not useful or appropriate to go any farther, because these reasons provide sufficient justification for dismissing the stay motion, if section 37 is to be interpreted as applying in a proactive context.
[69] Before concluding, however, I would like to point out that if section 37 of the Evidence Act can be applied only in a reactive context, as I believe, this does not mean that a motion under paragraph 50(1)(b) can never be granted to enable police services to complete an investigation when a civil action has been instituted. With respect, I do not think that the decision in Mulroney, supra, definitively settled that question.
[70] Paragraph 50(1)(b) specifically provides that even when there is no action pending, a stay may be granted where it is in the interest of justice that the proceedings be stayed.
[71] Parliament has already provided that a stay of proceedings may be granted in the context of a criminal proceeding if the Crown objects to disclosure of information that is essential to the accused (section 37.3). This was in fact the rule before these provisions were enacted in 1985.
[72] Doing the same thing in civil proceedings, where it is justified by the circumstances and public interests at play, would allow the defendant's concerns to be taken into account.
[73] I am confident that in appropriate given circumstances, with careful presentation, such a motion can succeed.
ORDER
THE COURT ORDERS that:
1. The appeal be allowed.
2. The order of February 16, 2005, be set aside and the motion for a stay dismissed, costs in the cause.
3. The affidavit of Serge Therriault be delivered to the defendant by hand. The defendant will have to contact the Registry for that purpose. The Court will retain a copy of the affidavit for a certain period of time in its locked vault, along with other relevant notes of the Court. Those documents will be securely destroyed after a reasonable period of time, it being understood that those documents must be retained at least until expiry of the time for appeal and, in the event of an appeal, until after final judgment only.
"Johanne Gauthier"
Judge
Certified true translation
K. Harvey
APPENDIX A
| Federal Court Act, R.S.C. 1970 (2nd Supp.), c. 10:
41. (1) Subject to the provisions of any other Act and to subsection (2), when a Minister of the Crown certifies to any court by affidavit that a document belongs to a class or contains information which on grounds of a public interest specified in the affidavit should be withheld from production and discovery, the court may examine the document and order its production and discovery to the parties, subject to such restrictions or conditions as it deems appropriate, if it concludes in the circumstances of the case that the public interest in the proper administration of justice outweighs in importance the public interest specified in the affidavit.
(2) When a Minster of the Crown certifies to any court by affidavit that the production or discovery of a document or its contents would be injurious to international relations, national defence or security, or to federal-provincial relations, or that it would disclose a confidence of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, discovery and production shall be refused without any examination of the document by the court. |
Loi sur la Cour fédérale, L.R.C. 1970 (2ième supp.), ch. 10:
41. (1) Sous réserve des dispositions de toute autre loi et du paragraphe (2), lorsqu'un ministre de la Couronne certifie par affidavit à un tribunal qu'un document fait partie d'une catégorie ou contient des renseignements dont on devrait, à cause d'un intérêt public spécifié dans l'affidavit, ne pas exiger la production et la communication, ce tribunal peut examiner le document et ordonner de le produire ou d'en communiquer la teneur aux parties, sous réserve des restrictions ou conditions qu'il juge appropriées, s'il conclut, dans les circonstances de l'espèce, que l'intérêt public dans la bonne administration de la justice l'emporte sur l'intérêt public spécifié dans l'affidavit.
(2) Lorsqu'un ministre de la Couronne certifie par affidavit à un tribunal que la production ou communication d'un document serait préjudiciable aux relations internationales, à la défense ou à la sécurité nationale ou aux relations fédérales-provinciales, ou dévoilerait une communication confidentielle du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada, le tribunal doit, sans examiner le document, refuser sa production et sa communication.
|
| Canada Evidence Act, R.S. 1985, c. C-5:
|
Loi sur la preuve, L.R. 1985, ch. C-5:
|
| 37. (1) A minister of the Crown in right of Canada or other person interested may object to the disclosure of information before a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information by certifying orally or in writing to the court, person or body that the information should not be disclosed on the grounds of a specified public interest.
|
37. (1) Un ministre fédéral ou toute autre personne intéressée peut s'opposer à la divulgation de renseignements devant un tribunal, un organisme ou une personne ayant le pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements, en attestant verbalement ou par écrit devant eux que ces renseignements ne devraient pas être divulgués pour des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées.
|
| (2) Subject to sections 38 and 39, where an objection to the disclosure of information is made under subsection (1) before a superior court, that court may examine or hear the information and order its disclosure, subject to such restrictions or conditions as it deems appropriate, if it concludes that, in the circumstances of the case, the public interest in disclosure outweighs in importance the specified public interest.
|
(2) Sous réserve des articles 38 et 39, dans les cas où l'opposition visée au paragraphe (1) est portée devant une cour supérieure, celle-ci peut prendre connaissance des renseignements et ordonner leur divulgation, sous réserve des restrictions ou condition qu'elle estime indiquées, si elle conclut qu'en l'espèce, les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation l'emportent sur les raisons d'intérêt public invoquées lors de l'attestation.
|
| (3) Subject to sections 38 and 39, where an objection to the disclosure of information is made under subsection (1) before a court, person or body other than a superior court, the objection may be determined, on application, in accordance with subsection (2) by |
(3) Sous réserve des articles 38 et 39, dans les cas où l'opposition visée au paragraphe (1) est portée devant le tribunal, un organisme ou une personne qui ne constituent pas une cour supérieure, la question peut être décidée conformément au paragraphe (2), sur demande, par : |
| (a) the Federal Court-Trial Division, in the case of a person or body vested with power to compel production by or pursuant to an Act or Parliament if the person or body is not a court established under a law of a province; or |
a) la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale, dans les cas où l'organisme ou la personne investis du pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements en vertu d'une loi fédérale ne constituent pas un tribunal régi par le droit d'une province; |
| (b) the trial division or trial court of the superior court of the province within which the court, person or body exercises its jurisdiction, in any other case.
|
b) La division ou cour de première instance de la cour supérieure de la province dans le ressort de laquelle le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne ont compétence, les autres cas.
|
| (4) An application pursuant to subsection (3) shall be made within ten days after the objection is made or within such further or lesser time as the court having jurisdiction to hear the application considers appropriate in the circumstances.
|
(4) Le délai dans lequel la demande visée au paragraphe (3) peut être faite est de dix jours suivant l'opposition, mais le tribunal saisi peut modifier ce délai s'il l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances.
|
| (5) An appeal lies from a determination under subsection (2) or (3) |
(5) L'appel des décisions rendues en vertu des paragraphes (2) ou (3) se fait : |
| (a) to the Federal Court of Appeal from a determination of the Federal Court-Trial Division; or |
a) devant la Cour d'appel fédérale, pour ce qui est de celles de la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale; |
| (b) to the court of appeal of a province from a determination of a trial division or trial court of a superior court of a province.
|
b) devant la cour d'appel d'une province, pour ce qui est de celles de la division ou cour de première instance d'une cour supérieure d'une province.
|
| (6) An appeal under subsection (5) shall be brought within ten days from the date of the determination appealed from or within such further time as the court having jurisdiction to hear the appeal considers appropriate in the circumstances.
|
(6) Le délai dans lequel l'appel prévu au paragraphe (5) peut être interjeté est de dix jours suivant la date de la décision frappée d'appel, mais la cour d'appel peut le proroger si elle l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances.
|
| (7) Notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament, |
(7) Nonobstant toute autre loi fédérale : |
| (a) an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from a judgment made pursuant to subsection (5) shall be made within ten days from the date of the judgment appealed from or within such further time as the court having jurisdiction to grant leave to appeal considers appropriate in the circumstances; and |
a) le délai de demande d'autorisation d'en appeler à la Cour suprême du Canada est de dix jours suivant le jugement frappé d'appel, visé au paragraphe (5), mais le tribunal compétent pour autoriser l'appel peut proroger ce délai s'il l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances; |
| (b) where leave to appeal is granted, the appeal shall be brought in the manner set out in subsection 60(1) of the Supreme Court Act but within such time as the court that grants leave specifies. 1980-81-82-83, c. 111, s. 4.
|
b) dans les cas où l'autorisation est accordée, l'appel est interjeté conformément au paragraphe 60(1) de la Loi sur la Cour suprême, mais le délai qui s'applique est celui qu'a fixé le tribunal qui a autorisé l'appel. 1980-81-82-83, ch. 111, art.4
|
| 38. (1) Where an objection to the disclosure of information is made under subsection 37(1) on grounds that the disclosure would be injurious to international relations or national defence or security, the objection may be determined, on application, in accordance with subsection 37(2) only by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, or such other judge of that Court as the Chief Justice may designate to hear such applications.
|
38. (1) Dans les cas où l'opposition visée au paragraphe 37(1) se fonde sur le motif que la divulgation porterait préjudice aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales, la question peut être décidée conformément au paragraphe 37(2), sur demande, mais uniquement par le juge en chef de la Cour fédérale ou tout autre juge de ce tribunal qu'il charge de l'audition de ce genre de demande.
|
| (2) An application under subsection (1) shall be made within ten days after the objection is made or within such further or lesser time as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, or such other judge of that Court as the Chief Justice may designate to hear such applications, considers appropriate.
|
(2) La délai dans lequel la demande visée au paragraphe (1) peut être faite est de dix jours suivant l'opposition, mais le juge en chef de la Cour fédérale ou le juge de ce tribunal qu'il charge de l'audition de ce genre de demande peut modifier ce délai s'il l'estime indiqué.
|
| (3) An appeal lies from a determination under subsection (1) to the Federal Court of Appeal.
|
(3) Il y a appel de la décision visée au paragraphe (1) devant la Cour d'appel fédérale.
|
| (4) Subsections 37(6) applies in respect of appeals under subsection (3), and subsection 37(7) applies in respect of appeals from judgment made pursuant to subsection (3), with such modifications as the circumstances require.
|
(4) Le paragraphe 37(6) s'applique aux appels prévus au paragraphe (3) et le paragraphe 37(7) s'applique aux appels des jugements rendus en vertu du paragraphe (3), compte tenu des adaptations de circonstance.
|
| (5) An application under subsection (1) or an appeal brought in respect of the application shall |
(5) Les demandes visées au paragraphe (1) font, en premier ressort ou en appel, l'objet d'une audition à huis clos; celle-ci a lieu dans la région de la capitale nationale définie à l'annexe de la Loi sur la capitale nationale si la personne qui s'oppose à la divulgation le demande. |
| (a) be heard in camera; and |
|
| (b) on the request of the person objecting to the disclosure of information, be heard and determined in the National Capital Region described in the schedule to the National Capital Act.
|
|
| (6) During the hearing of an application under subsection (1) or an appeal brought in respect to the application, the person who made the objection in respect of which the application was made or the appeal was brought shall, on the request of that person, be given the opportunity to make representations ex parte. 1980-81-82-83, c. 111, s. 4.
|
(6) La personne qui a porté l'opposition qui fait l'objet d'une demande ou d'un appel a, au cours des auditions, en première instance ou en appel et sur demande, le droit de présenter des arguments en l'absence d'une autre partie. 1980-81-82-83, ch.111, art. 4.
|
| 39. (1) Where a minister of the Crown or the Clerk of the Privy Council objects to the disclosure of information before a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information by certifying in writing that the information constitutes a confidence of the Queen's Privy council for Canada, disclosure of the information shall be refused without examination or hearing of the information by the court, person or body.
|
39. (1) Le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne qui ont le pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements sont, dans les cas où un ministre ou le greffier du Conseil privé s'opposent à la divulgation d'un renseignement, tenus d'en refuser la divulgation, sans l'examiner ni tenir d'audition à son sujet, si le ministre ou le greffier attestent par écrit que le renseignement constitue un renseignement confidentiel du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada.
|
| (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), "a confidence of the Queen's Pricy Council for Canada" includes, without restricting the generality thereof, information contained in |
(2) Pour l'application du paragraphe (1), un "renseignement confidentiel du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada" s'entend notamment d'un renseignement contenu dans : |
| (a) a memorandum the purpose of which is to present proposals or recommendations to Council; |
a) une note destinée à soumettre des propositions ou recommandations au Conseil; |
| (b) a discussion paper the purpose of which is to present background explanations, analyses of problems or policy options to Council for consideration by Council in making decisions; |
b) un document de travail destiné à présenter des problèmes, des analyses ou des options politiques à l'examen du Conseil; |
| (c) an agendum of Council or a record recording deliberations or decisions of Council; |
c) un ordre du jour du Conseil ou un procès-verbal de ses délibérations ou décisions; |
| (d) a record used for or reflecting communications or discussions between ministers of the Crown on matters relating to the making of government decisions or the formulation of government policy; |
d) un document employé en vue ou faisant état de communications ou de discussions entre ministres sur des questions liées à la prise des décisions du gouvernement ou à la formulation de sa politique; |
| (e) a record the purpose of which is to brief Ministers of the Crown in relation to matters that are brought before, or are proposed to be brought before, Council or that are the subject of communications or discussions referred to in paragraph (d); and |
e) un document d'information à l'usage des ministres sur des questions portées ou qu'il est prévu de porter devant le Conseil, ou sur des questions qui font l'objet des communications ou discussions visées à l'alinéa d); |
| (f) draft legislation.
|
f) un avant-projet de loi.
|
| (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), "Council" means the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, committees of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Cabinet and committees of Cabinet.
|
(3) Pour l'application du paragraphe (2), "Conseil" s'entend du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada, du Cabinet et de leurs comités respectifs.
|
| (4) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of |
(4) Le paragraphe (1) ne s'applique pas : |
| (a) a confidence of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada that has been in existence for more than twenty years; or |
a) à un renseignement confidentiel du Conseil privé de la Reine pour le Canada dont l'existence remonte à plus de vingt ans; |
| (b) a discussion paper described in paragraph (2)(b) |
b) à un document de travail visé à l'alinéa (2)b), dans les cas où les décisions auxquelles il se rapporte ont été rendues publiques ou, à défaut de publicité, ont été rendues quatre ans auparavant. 1980-81-82-83, ch. 111, art. 4 |
| (i) if the decisions to which the discussion paper relates have been made public, or |
|
| (ii) where the decisions have not been made public, if four years have passes since the decisions were made. 1980-81-82-83, c. 111, s. 4. |
| Anti-terrorism Act, S.R.C. 2001, C-41:
|
Loi antiterroriste, L.R.C. 2001, ch. 41:
|
| 37. (1) Subject to sections 38 to 38.16, a Minister of the Crown in right of Canada or other official may object to the disclosure of information before a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information by certifying orally or in writing to the court, person or body that the information should not be disclosed on the grounds of a specified public interest.
|
37. (1) Sous réserve des articles 38 à 38.16, tout ministre fédéral ou tout fonctionnaire peut s'opposer à la divulgation de renseignements auprès d'un tribunal, d'un organisme ou d'une personne ayant le pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements, en attestant verbalement ou par écrit devant eux que, pour des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, ces renseignements ne devraient pas être divulgués.
|
| (1.1) If an objection is made under subsection (1), the court, person or body shall ensure that the information is not disclosed other than in accordance with this Act.
|
(1.1) En cas d'opposition, le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne veille à ce que les renseignements ne soient pas divulgués, sauf en conformité avec la présente loi.
|
| (2) If an objection to the disclosure of information is made before a superior court, that court may determine the objection.
|
(2) Si l'opposition est portée devant une cour supérieure, celle-ci peut décider la question.
|
| (3) If an objection to the disclosure of information is made before a court, person or body other than a superior court, the objection may be determined, on application, by |
(3) Si l'opposition est portée devant un tribunal, un organisme ou une personne qui ne constituent pas une cour supérieure, la question peut être décidée, sur demande, par : |
| (a) the Federal Court-Trial Division, in the case of a person or body vested with power to compel production by or under an Act of Parliament if the person or body is not a court established under a law of a province; or |
a) la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale, dans le cas où l'organisme ou la personne investis du pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements sous le régime d'une loi fédérale ne constituent pas un tribunal régi par le droit d'une province; |
| (b) the trial division or trial court of the superior court of the province within which the court, person or body exercises its jurisdiction, in any other case.
|
b) la division ou le tribunal de première instance de la cour supérieure de la province dans le ressort de laquelle le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne ont compétence, dans les autres cas.
|
| (4) An application under subsection (3) shall be made within 10 days after the objection is made or within any further or lesser time that the court having jurisdiction to hear the application considers appropriate in the circumstances.
|
(4) Le délai dans lequel la demande visée au paragraphe (3) peut être faite est de dix jours suivant l'opposition, mais le tribunal saisi peut modifier ce délai s'il l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances.
|
| (4.1) Unless the court having jurisdiction to hear the application concludes that the disclosure of the information to which the objection was made under subsection (1) would encroach upon a specified public interest, the court may authorize by order the disclosure of the information.
|
(4.1) Le tribunal saisi peut rendre une ordonnance autorisant la divulgation des renseignements qui ont fait l'objet d'une opposition au titre du paragraphe (1), sauf s'il conclut que leur divulgation est préjudiciable au regard des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées.
|
| (5) If the court having jurisdiction to hear the application concludes that the disclosure of the information to which the objection was made under subsection (1) would encroach upon a specified public interest, but that the public interest in disclosure outweighs in importance the specified public interest, the court may, by order, after considering both the public interest in disclosure and the form of and conditions to disclosure that are most likely to limit any encroachment upon the specified public interest resulting from disclosure, authorize the disclosure, subject to any conditions that the court considers appropriate, of all of the information, a part or summary of the information, or a written admission of facts relating to the information.
|
(5) Si le tribunal saisi conclut que la divulgation des renseignements qui ont fait l'objet d'une opposition au titre du paragraphe (1) est préjudiciable au regard des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, mais que les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation l'emportent sur les raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, il peut par ordonnance, compte tenu des raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation ainsi que de la forme et des conditions de divulgation les plus susceptibles de limiter le préjudice au regard des raisons d'intérêt public déterminées, autoriser, sous réserve des conditions qu'il estime indiquées, la divulgation de tout ou partie des renseignements, d'un résumé de ceux-ci ou d'un aveu écrit des faits qui y sont liés.
|
| (6) If the court does not authorize disclosure under subsection (4.1) or (5), the court shall, by order, prohibit disclosure of the information.
|
(6) Dans les cas où le tribunal n'autorise pas la divulgation au titre des paragraphes (4.1) ou (5), il rend une ordonnance interdisant la divulgation.
|
| (6.1) The court may receive into evidence anything that, in the opinion of the court, is reliable and appropriate, even if it would not otherwise be admissible under Canadian law, and may base its decision on that evidence.
|
(6.1) Le tribunal peut recevoir et admettre en preuve tout élément qu'il estime digne de foi et approprié - même si le droit canadien ne prévoit pas par ailleurs son admissibilité - et peut fonder sa décision sur cet élément.
|
| (7) An order of the court that authorizes disclosure does not take effect until the time provided or granted to appeal the order, or a judgment of an appeal court that confirms the order, has expired, or no further appeal from a judgment that confirms the order is available.
|
(7) L'ordonnance de divulgation prend effet après l'expiration du délai prévu ou accordé pour en appeler ou, en cas d'appel, après sa confirmation et l'épuisement des recours en appel.
|
| (8) A person who wishes to introduce into evidence material the disclosure of which is authorized under subsection (5), but who may not be able to do so by reason of the rules of admissibility that apply before the court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information, may request from the court having jurisdiction under subsection (2) or (3) an order permitting the introduction into evidence of the material in a form or subject to any conditions fixed by that court, as long as that form and those conditions comply with the order made under subsection (5).
|
(8) La personne qui veut faire admettre en preuve ce qui a fait l'objet d'une autorisation de divulgation prévue au paragraphe (5), mais qui ne pourrait peut-être pas le faire à cause des règles d'admissibilité applicables devant le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne ayant le pouvoir de contraindre à la production de renseignements, peut demander au tribunal saisi au titre des paragraphes (2) ou (3) de rendre une ordonnance autorisant la production en preuve des renseignements, du résumé ou de l'aveu dans la forme ou aux conditions que celui-ci détermine, pourvu que telle forme ou telles conditions soient conformes à l'ordonnance rendue au titre du paragraphe (5).
|
| (9) For the purpose of subsection (8), the court having jurisdiction under subsection (2) or (3) shall consider all the factors that would be relevant for a determination of admissibility before the court, person or body.
|
(9) Pour l'application du paragraphe (8), le tribunal saisi au titre des paragraphes (2) ou (3) prend en compte tous les facteurs qui seraient pertinents pour statuer sur l'admissibilité en preuve devant le tribunal, l'organisme ou la personne.
|
| 37.1 (1) An appeal lies from a determination under any of subsections 37(4.1) to (6) |
37.1 (1) L'appel d'une décision rendue en vertu des paragraphes 37(4.1) à (6) se fait : Appels devant les tribunaux d'appel |
| (a) to the Federal Court of Appeal from a determination of the Federal Court-Trial Division; or |
a) devant la Cour d'appel fédérale, s'agissant d'une décision de la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale; |
| (b) to the court of appeal of a province from a determination of a trial division or trial court of a superior court of the province.
|
b) devant la cour d'appel d'une province, s'agissant d'une décision de la division ou du tribunal de première instance d'une cour supérieure d'une province.
|
| (2) An appeal under subsection (1) shall be brought within 10 days after the date of the determination appealed from or within any further time that the court having jurisdiction to hear the appeal considers appropriate in the circumstances.
|
(2) Le délai dans lequel l'appel prévu au paragraphe (1) peut être interjeté est de dix jours suivant la date de la décision frappée d'appel, mais le tribunal d'appel peut le proroger s'il l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances.
|
| 37.2 Notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament, |
37.2 Nonobstant toute autre loi fédérale : |
| (a) an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from a judgment made under subsection 37.1(1) shall be made within 10 days after the date of the judgment appealed from or within any further time that the court having jurisdiction to grant leave to appeal considers appropriate in the circumstances; and |
a) le délai de demande d'autorisation d'en appeler à la Cour suprême du Canada du jugement rendu au titre du paragraphe 37.1(1) est de dix jours suivant ce jugement, mais le tribunal compétent pour autoriser l'appel peut proroger ce délai s'il l'estime indiqué dans les circonstances; |
| (b) if leave to appeal is granted, the appeal shall be brought in the manner set out in subsection 60(1) of the Supreme Court Act but within the time specified by the court that grants leave.
|
b) dans le cas où l'autorisation est accordée, l'appel est interjeté conformément au paragraphe 60(1) de la Loi sur la Cour suprême, mais le délai qui s'applique est celui que fixe le tribunal ayant autorisé l'appel.
|
| 37.21 (1) A hearing under subsection 37(2) or (3) or an appeal of an order made under any of subsections 37(4.1) to (6) shall be heard in private.
|
37.21 (1) Les audiences tenues dans le cadre des paragraphes 37(2) ou (3) et l'audition de l'appel d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 37(4.1) à (6) sont tenues à huis clos.
|
| (2) The court conducting a hearing under subsection 37(2) or (3) or the court hearing an appeal of an order made under any of subsections 37(4.1) to (6) may give |
(2) Le tribunal qui tient une audience au titre des paragraphes 37(2) ou (3) ou le tribunal saisi de l'appel d'une ordonnance rendue au titre de l'un des paragraphes 37(4.1) à (6) peut : |
| (a) any person an opportunity to make representations; and |
a) donner à quiconque la possibilité de présenter des observations; |
| (b) any person who makes representations under paragraph (a) the opportunity to make representations ex parte.
|
b) donner à quiconque présente des observations au titre de l'alinéa a) la possibilité de les présenter en l'absence d'autres parties.
|
| 37.3 (1) A judge presiding at a criminal trial or other criminal proceeding may make any order that he or she considers appropriate in the circumstances to protect the right of theaccused to a fair trial, as long as that order complies with the terms of any order made under any of subsections 37(4.1) to (6) in relation to that trial or proceeding or any judgment made on appeal of an order made under any of those subsections.
|
37.3 (1) Le juge qui préside un procès criminel ou une autre instance criminelle peut rendre l'ordonnance qu'elle estime indiquée dans les circonstances en vue de protéger le droit de l'accusé à un procès équitable, pourvu que telle ordonnance soit conforme à une ordonnance rendue au titre de l'un des paragraphes 37(4.1) à (6) relativement à ce procès ou à cette instance ou à la décision en appel portant sur une ordonnance rendue au titre de l'un ou l'autre de ces paragraphes.
|
| (2) The orders that may be made under subsection (1) include, but are not limited to, the following orders: |
(2) L'ordonnance rendue au titre du paragraphe (1) peut notamment : |
| (a) an order dismissing specified counts of the indictment or information, or permitting the indictment or information to proceed only in respect of a lesser or included offence; |
a) annuler un chef d'accusation d'un acte d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation, ou autoriser l'instruction d'un chef d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation pour une infraction moins grave ou une infraction incluse; |
| (b) an order effecting a stay of the proceedings; and |
b) ordonner l'arrêt des procédures; |
| (c) an order finding against any party on any issue relating to information the disclosure of which is prohibited.
|
c) être rendue à l'encontre de toute partie sur toute question liée aux renseignements dont la divulgation est interdite.
|
| 38. The following definitions apply in this section and in sections 38.01 to 38.15. |
38. Les définitions qui suivent s'appliquent au présent article et aux articles 38.01 à 38.15. |
|
|
« instance » Procédure devant un tribunal, un organisme ou une personne ayant le pouvoir de contraindre la production de renseignements. |
| "judge" means the Chief Justice of the Federal Court or a judge of the Federal Court-Trial Division designated by the Chief Justice to conduct hearings under section 38.04. |
« juge » Le juge en chef de la Cour fédérale ou le juge de la Section de première instance de ce tribunal désigné par le juge en chef pour statuer sur les questions dont est saisi le tribunal en application de l'article 38.04. |
| "participant" means a person who, in connection with a proceeding, is required to disclose, or expects to disclose or cause the disclosure of, information. |
« participant » Personne qui, dans le cadre d'une instance, est tenue de divulguer ou prévoit de divulguer ou de faire divulguer des renseignements. |
| "potentially injurious information" means information of a type that, if it were disclosed to the public, could injure international relations or national defence or national security. |
« renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables » Les renseignements qui, s'ils sont divulgués, sont susceptibles de porter préjudice aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales. |
| "proceeding" means a proceeding before a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information. |
|
| "prosecutor" means an agent of the Attorney General of Canada or of the Attorney General of a province, the Director of Military Prosecutions under the National Defence Act or an individual who acts as a prosecutor in a proceeding. |
« poursuivant » Représentant du procureur général du Canada ou du procureur général d'une province, particulier qui agit à titre de poursuivant dans le cadre d'une instance ou le directeur des poursuites militaires, au sens de la Loi sur la défense nationale. |
| "sensitive information" means information relating to international relations or national defence or national security that is in the possession of the Government of Canada, whether originating from inside or outside Canada, and is of a type that the Government of Canada is taking measures to safeguard. |
« renseignements sensibles » Les renseignements, en provenance du Canada ou de l'étranger, qui concernent les affaires internationales ou la défense ou la sécurité nationales, qui se trouvent en la possession du gouvernement du Canada et qui sont du type des renseignements à l'égard desquels celui-ci prend des mesures de protection |
| 38.01 (1) Every participant who, in connection with a proceeding, is required to disclose, or expects to disclose or cause the disclosure of, information that the participant believes is sensitive information or potentially injurious information shall, as soon as possible, notify the Attorney General of Canada in writing of the possibility of the disclosure, and of the nature, date and place of the proceeding.
|
38.01 (1) Tout participant qui, dans le cadre d'une instance, est tenu de divulguer ou prévoit de divulguer ou de faire divulguer des renseignements dont il croit qu'il s'agit de renseignements sensibles ou de renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables est tenu d'aviser par écrit, dès que possible, le procureur général du Canada de la possibilité de divulgation et de préciser dans l'avis la nature, la date et le lieu de l'instance.
|
| (2) Every participant who believes that sensitive information or potentially injurious information is about to be disclosed, whether by the participant or another person, in the course of a proceeding shall raise the matter with the person presiding at the proceeding and notify the Attorney General of Canada in writing of the matter as soon as possible, whether or not notice has been given under subsection (1). In such circumstances, the person presiding at the proceeding shall ensure that the information is not disclosed other than in accordance with this Act.
|
(2) Tout participant qui croit que des renseignements sensibles ou des renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables sont sur le point d'être divulgués par lui ou par une autre personne au cours d'une instance est tenu de soulever la question devant la personne qui préside l'instance et d'aviser par écrit le procureur général du Canada de la question dès que possible, que ces renseignements aient fait ou non l'objet de l'avis prévu au paragraphe (1). Le cas échéant, la personne qui préside l'instance veille à ce que les renseignements ne soient pas divulgués, sauf en conformité avec la présente loi.
|
| (3) An official, other than a participant, who believes that sensitive information or potentially injurious information may be disclosed in connection with a proceeding may notify the Attorney General of Canada in writing of the possibility of the disclosure, and of the nature, date and place of the proceeding.
|
(3) Le fonctionnaire - à l'exclusion d'un participant - qui croit que peuvent être divulgués dans le cadre d'une instance des renseignements sensibles ou des renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables peut aviser par écrit le procureur général du Canada de la possibilité de divulgation; le cas échéant, l'avis précise la nature, la date et le lieu de l'instance.
|
| (4) An official, other than a participant, who believes that sensitive information or potentially injurious information is about to be disclosed in the course of a proceeding may raise the matter with the person presiding at the proceeding. If the official raises the matter, he or she shall notify the Attorney General of Canada in writing of the matter as soon as possible, whether or not notice has been given under subsection (3), and the person presiding at the proceeding shall ensure that the information is not disclosed other than in accordance with this Act.
|
(4) Le fonctionnaire - à l'exclusion d'un participant - qui croit que des renseignements sensibles ou des renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables sont sur le point d'être divulgués au cours d'une instance peut soulever la question devant la personne qui préside l'instance; le cas échéant, il est tenu d'aviser par écrit le procureur général du Canada de la question dès que possible, que ces renseignements aient fait ou non l'objet de l'avis prévu au paragraphe (3) et la personne qui préside l'instance veille à ce que les renseignements ne soient pas divulgués, sauf en conformité avec la présente loi.
|
| (5) In the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, notice under any of subsections (1) to (4) shall be given to both the Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of National Defence.
|
(5) Dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale, les avis prévus à l'un des paragraphes (1) à (4) sont donnés à la fois au procureur général du Canada et au ministre de la Défense nationale.
|
| (6) This section does not apply when |
(6) Le présent article ne s'applique pas : |
| (a) the information is disclosed by a person to their solicitor in connection with a proceeding, if the information is relevant to that proceeding; |
a) à la communication de renseignements par une personne à son avocat dans le cadre d'une instance, si ceux-ci concernent l'instance; |
| (b) the information is disclosed to enable the Attorney General of Canada, the Minister of National Defence, a judge or a court hearing an appeal from, or a review of, an order of the judge to discharge their responsibilities under section 38, this section and sections 38.02 to 38.13, 38.15 and 38.16; |
b) aux renseignements communiqués dans le cadre de l'exercice des attributions du procureur général du Canada, du ministre de la Défense nationale, du juge ou d'un tribunal d'appel ou d'examen au titre de l'article 38, du présent article, des articles 38.02 à 38.13 ou des articles 38.15 ou 38.16; |
| (c) disclosure of the information is authorized by the government institution in which or for which the information was produced or, if the information was not produced in or for a government institution, the government institution in which it was first received; or |
c) aux renseignements dont la divulgation est autorisée par l'institution fédérale qui les a produits ou pour laquelle ils ont été produits ou, dans le cas où ils n'ont pas été produits par ou pour une institution fédérale, par la première institution fédérale à les avoir reçus; |
| (d) the information is disclosed to an entity and, where applicable, for a purpose listed in the schedule.
|
d) aux renseignements divulgués auprès de toute entité mentionnée à l'annexe et, le cas échéant, à une application figurant en regard d'une telle entité.
|
| (7) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a participant if a government institution referred to in paragraph (6)(c) advises the participant that it is not necessary, in order to prevent disclosure of the information referred to in that paragraph, to give notice to the Attorney General of Canada under subsection (1) or to raise the matter with the person presiding under subsection (2).
|
(7) Les paragraphes (1) et (2) ne s'appliquent pas au participant si une institution gouvernementale visée à l'alinéa (6)c) l'informe qu'il n'est pas nécessaire, afin d'éviter la divulgation des renseignements visés à cet alinéa, de donner un avis au procureur général du Canada au titre du paragraphe (1) ou de soulever la question devant la personne présidant une instance au titre du paragraphe (2).
|
| (8) The Governor in Council may, by order, add to or delete from the schedule a reference to any entity or purpose, or amend such a reference.
|
(8) Le gouverneur en conseil peut, par décret, ajouter, modifier ou supprimer la mention, à l'annexe, d'une entité ou d'une application figurant en regard d'une telle entité.
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| 38.02 (1) Subject to subsection 38.01(6), no person shall disclose in connection with a proceeding |
38.02 (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe 38.01(6), nul ne peut divulguer, dans le cadre d'une instance : |
| (a) information about which notice is given under any of subsections 38.01(1) to (4); |
a) les renseignements qui font l'objet d'un avis donné au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.01(1) à (4); |
| (b) the fact that notice is given to the Attorney General of Canada under any of subsections 38.01(1) to (4), or to the Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of National Defence under subsection 38.01(5); |
b) le fait qu'un avis est donné au procureur général du Canada au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.01(1) à (4), ou à ce dernier et au ministre de la Défense nationale au titre du paragraphe 38.01(5); |
| (c) the fact that an application is made to the Federal Court-Trial Division under section 38.04 or that an appeal or review of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) in connection with the application is instituted; or |
c) le fait qu'une demande a été présentée à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale au titre de l'article 38.04, qu'il a été interjeté appel d'une ordonnance rendue au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) relativement à une telle demande ou qu'une telle ordonnance a été renvoyée pour examen; |
| (d) the fact that an agreement is entered into under section 38.031 or subsection 38.04(6).
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d) le fait qu'un accord a été conclu au titre de l'article 38.031 ou du paragraphe 38.04(6).
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| (1.1) When an entity listed in the schedule, for any purpose listed there in relation to that entity, makes a decision or order that would result in the disclosure of sensitive information or potentially injurious information, the entity shall not disclose the information or cause it to be disclosed until notice of intention to disclose the information has been given to the Attorney General of Canada and a period of 10 days has elapsed after notice was given.
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(1.1) Dans le cas où une entité mentionnée à l'annexe rend, dans le cadre d'une application qui y est mentionnée en regard de celle-ci, une décision ou une ordonnance qui entraînerait la divulgation de renseignements sensibles ou de renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables, elle ne peut les divulguer ou les faire divulguer avant que le procureur général du Canada ait été avisé de ce fait et qu'il se soit écoulé un délai de dix jours postérieur à l'avis.
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| (2) Disclosure of the information or the facts referred to in subsection (1) is not prohibited if |
(2) La divulgation des renseignements ou des faits visés au paragraphe (1) n'est pas interdite : |
| (a) the Attorney General of Canada authorizes the disclosure in writing under section 38.03 or by agreement under section 38.031 or subsection 38.04(6); or |
a) si le procureur général du Canada l'autorise par écrit au titre de l'article 38.03 ou par un accord conclu en application de l'article 38.031 ou du paragraphe 38.04(6); |
| (b) a judge authorizes the disclosure under subsection 38.06(1) or (2) or a court hearing an appeal from, or a review of, the order of the judge authorizes the disclosure, and either the time provided to appeal the order or judgment has expired or no further appeal is available.
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b) si le juge l'autorise au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) ou (2) et que le délai prévu ou accordé pour en appeler a expiré ou, en cas d'appel ou de renvoi pour examen, sa décision est confirmée et les recours en appel sont épuisés.
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| 38.03 (1) The Attorney General of Canada may, at any time and subject to any conditions that he or she considers appropriate, authorize the disclosure of all or part of the information and facts the disclosure of which is prohibited under subsection 38.02(1).
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38.03 (1) Le procureur général du Canada peut, à tout moment, autoriser la divulgation de tout ou partie des renseignements ou des faits dont la divulgation est interdite par le paragraphe 38.02(1) et assortir son autorisation des conditions qu'il estime indiquées.
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| (2) In the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Attorney General of Canada may authorize disclosure only with the agreement of the Minister of National Defence.
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(2) Dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale, le procureur général du Canada ne peut autoriser la divulgation qu'avec l'assentiment du ministre de la Défense nationale.
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| (3) The Attorney General of Canada shall, within 10 days after the day on which he or she first receives a notice about information under any of subsections 38.01(1) to (4), notify in writing every person who provided notice under section 38.01 about that information of his or her decision with respect to disclosure of the information.
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(3) Dans les dix jours suivant la réception du premier avis donné au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.01(1) à (4) relativement à des renseignements donnés, le procureur général du Canada notifie par écrit sa décision relative à la divulgation de ces renseignements à toutes les personnes qui ont donné un tel avis.
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| 38.031 (1) The Attorney General of Canada and a person who has given notice under subsection 38.01(1) or (2) and is not required to disclose information but wishes, in connection with a proceeding, to disclose any facts referred to in paragraphs 38.02(1)(b) to (d) or information about which he or she gave the notice, or to cause that disclosure, may, before the person applies to the Federal Court-Trial Division under paragraph 38.04(2)(c), enter into an agreement that permits the disclosure of part of the facts or information or disclosure of the facts or information subject to conditions.
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38.031 (1) Le procureur général du Canada et la personne ayant donné l'avis prévu aux paragraphes 38.01(1) ou (2) qui n'a pas l'obligation de divulguer des renseignements dans le cadre d'une instance, mais veut divulguer ou faire divulguer les renseignements qui ont fait l'objet de l'avis ou les faits visés aux alinéas 38.02(1)b) à d), peuvent, avant que cette personne présente une demande à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale au titre de l'alinéa 38.04(2)c), conclure un accord prévoyant la divulgation d'une partie des renseignements ou des faits ou leur divulgation assortie de conditions.
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| (2) If an agreement is entered into under subsection (1), the person may not apply to the Federal Court-Trial Division under paragraph 38.04(2)(c) with respect to the information about which he or she gave notice to the Attorney General of Canada under subsection 38.01(1) or (2).
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(2) Si un accord est conclu, la personne ne peut présenter de demande à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale au titre de l'alinéa 38.04(2)c) relativement aux renseignements ayant fait l'objet de l'avis qu'elle a donné au procureur général du Canada au titre des paragraphes 38.01(1) ou (2).
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| 38.04 (1) The Attorney General of Canada may, at any time and in any circumstances, apply to the Federal Court-Trial Division for an order with respect to the disclosure of information about which notice was given under any of subsections 38.01(1) to (4).
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38.04 (1) Le procureur général du Canada peut, à tout moment et en toutes circonstances, demander à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale de rendre une ordonnance portant sur la divulgation de renseignements à l'égard desquels il a reçu un avis au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.01(1) à (4).
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| (2) If, with respect to information about which notice was given under any of subsections 38.01(1) to (4), the Attorney General of Canada does not provide notice of a decision in accordance with subsection 38.03(3) or, other than by an agreement under section 38.031, authorizes the disclosure of only part of the information or disclosure subject to any conditions, |
(2) Si, en ce qui concerne des renseignements à l'égard desquels il a reçu un avis au titre de l'un des paragraphes 38.01(1) à (4), le procureur général du Canada n'a pas notifié sa décision à l'auteur de l'avis en conformité avec le paragraphe 38.03(3) ou, sauf par un accord conclu au titre de l'article 38.031, il a autorisé la divulgation d'une partie des renseignements ou a assorti de conditions son autorisation de divulgation : |
| (a) the Attorney General of Canada shall apply to the Federal Court-Trial Division for an order with respect to disclosure of the information if a person who gave notice under subsection 38.01(1) or (2) is a witness; |
a) il est tenu de demander à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale de rendre une ordonnance concernant la divulgation des renseignements si la personne qui l'a avisé au titre des paragraphes 38.01(1) ou (2) est un témoin; |
| (b) a person, other than a witness, who is required to disclose information in connection with a proceeding shall apply to the Federal Court-Trial Division for an order with respect to disclosure of the information; and |
b) la personne - à l'exclusion d'un témoin - qui a l'obligation de divulguer des renseignements dans le cadre d'une instance est tenue de demander à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale de rendre une ordonnance concernant la divulgation des renseignements; |
| (c) a person who is not required to disclose information in connection with a proceeding but who wishes to disclose it or to cause its disclosure may apply to the Federal Court-Trial Division for an order with respect to disclosure of the information.
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c) la personne qui n'a pas l'obligation de divulguer des renseignements dans le cadre d'une instance, mais qui veut en divulguer ou en faire divulguer, peut demander à la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale de rendre une ordonnance concernant la divulgation des renseignements.
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| (3) A person who applies to the Federal Court-Trial Division under paragraph (2)(b) or (c) shall provide notice of the application to the Attorney General of Canada.
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(3) La personne qui présente une demande à la Section de première instance au titre des alinéas (2)b) ou c) en notifie le procureur général du Canada.
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| (4) An application under this section is confidential. Subject to section 38.12, the Administrator of the Federal Court may take any measure that he or she considers appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the application and the information to which it relates.
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(4) Toute demande présentée en application du présent article est confidentielle. Sous réserve de l'article 38.12, l'administrateur de la Cour fédérale peut prendre les mesures qu'il estime indiquées en vue d'assurer la confidentialité de la demande et des renseignements sur lesquels elle porte.
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| (5) As soon as the Federal Court-Trial Division is seized of an application under this section, the judge |
(5) Dès que la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale est saisie d'une demande présentée au titre du présent article, le juge : |
| (a) shall hear the representations of the Attorney General of Canada and, in the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Minister of National Defence, concerning the identity of all parties or witnesses whose interests may be affected by either the prohibition of disclosure or the conditions to which disclosure is subject, and concerning the persons who should be given notice of any hearing of the matter; |
a) entend les observations du procureur général du Canada - et du ministre de la Défense nationale dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale - sur l'identité des parties ou des témoins dont les intérêts sont touchés par l'interdiction de divulgation ou les conditions dont l'autorisation de divulgation est assortie et sur les personnes qui devraient être avisées de la tenue d'une audience; |
| (b) shall decide whether it is necessary to hold any hearing of the matter; |
b) décide s'il est nécessaire de tenir une audience; |
| (c) if he or she decides that a hearing should be held, shall |
c) s'il estime qu'une audience est nécessaire : |
| (i) determine who should be given notice of the hearing, |
(i) spécifie les personnes qui devraient en être avisées, |
| (ii) order the Attorney General of Canada to notify those persons, and |
(ii) ordonne au procureur général du Canada de les aviser, |
| (iii) determine the content and form of the notice; and |
iii) détermine le contenu et les modalités de l'avis; |
| (d) if he or she considers it appropriate in the circumstances, may give any person the opportunity to make representations.
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d) s'il l'estime indiqué en l'espèce, peut donner à quiconque la possibilité de présenter des observations.
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| (6) After the Federal Court-Trial Division is seized of an application made under paragraph (2)(c) or, in the case of an appeal from, or a review of, an order of the judge made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) in connection with that application, before the appeal or review is disposed of, |
(6) Après la saisine de la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale d'une demande présentée au titre de l'alinéa (2)c) ou l'institution d'un appel ou le renvoi pour examen d'une ordonnance du juge rendue en vertu de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) relativement à cette demande, et avant qu'il soit disposé de l'appel ou de l'examen : |
| (a) the Attorney General of Canada and the person who made the application may enter into an agreement that permits the disclosure of part of the facts referred to in paragraphs 38.02(1)(b) to (d) or part of the information, or disclosure of the facts or information subject to conditions; and |
a) le procureur général du Canada peut conclure avec l'auteur de la demande un accord prévoyant la divulgation d'une partie des renseignements ou des faits visés aux alinéas 38.02(1)b) à d) ou leur divulgation assortie de conditions; |
| (b) if an agreement is entered into, the Court's consideration of the application or any hearing, review or appeal shall be terminated.
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b) si un accord est conclu, le tribunal n'est plus saisi de la demande et il est mis fin à l'audience, à l'appel ou à l'examen.
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| (7) Subject to subsection (6), after the Federal Court-Trial Division is seized of an application made under this section or, in the case of an appeal from, or a review of, an order of the judge made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) before the appeal or review is disposed of, if the Attorney General of Canada authorizes the disclosure of all or part of the information or withdraws conditions to which the disclosure is subject, the Court's consideration of the application or any hearing, appeal or review shall be terminated in relation to that information, to the extent of the authorization or the withdrawal.
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(7) Sous réserve du paragraphe (6), si le procureur général du Canada autorise la divulgation de tout ou partie des renseignements ou supprime les conditions dont la divulgation est assortie après la saisine de la Section de première instance de la Cour fédérale aux termes du présent article et, en cas d'appel ou d'examen d'une ordonnance du juge rendue en vertu de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3), avant qu'il en soit disposé, le tribunal n'est plus saisi de la demande et il est mis fin à l'audience, à l'appel ou à l'examen à l'égard de tels des renseignements dont la divulgation est autorisée ou n'est plus assortie de conditions.
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| 38.05 If he or she receives notice of a hearing under paragraph 38.04(5)(c), a person presiding or designated to preside at the proceeding to which the information relates or, if no person is designated, the person who has the authority to designate a person to preside may, within 10 days after the day on which he or she receives the notice, provide the judge with a report concerning any matter relating to the proceeding that the person considers may be of assistance to the judge.
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38.05 Si la personne qui préside ou est désignée pour présider l'instance à laquelle est liée l'affaire ou, à défaut de désignation, la personne qui est habilitée à effectuer la désignation reçoit l'avis visé à l'alinéa 38.04(5)c), elle peut, dans les dix jours, fournir au juge un rapport sur toute question relative à l'instance qu'elle estime utile à celui-ci.
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| 38.06 (1) Unless the judge concludes that the disclosure of the information would be injurious to international relations or national defence or national security, the judge may, by order, authorize the disclosure of the information.
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38.06 (1) Le juge peut rendre une ordonnance autorisant la divulgation des renseignements, sauf s'il conclut qu'elle porterait préjudice aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales.
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| (2) If the judge concludes that the disclosure of the information would be injurious to international relations or national defence or national security but that the public interest in disclosure outweighs in importance the public interest in non-disclosure, the judge may by order, after considering both the public interest in disclosure and the form of and conditions to disclosure that are most likely to limit any injury to international relations or national defence or national security resulting from disclosure, authorize the disclosure, subject to any conditions that the judge considers appropriate, of all of the information, a part or summary of the information, or a written admission of facts relating to the information.
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(2) Si le juge conclut que la divulgation des renseignements porterait préjudice aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales, mais que les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation l'emportent sur les raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la non-divulgation, il peut par ordonnance, compte tenu des raisons d'intérêt public qui justifient la divulgation ainsi que de la forme et des conditions de divulgation les plus susceptibles de limiter le préjudice porté aux relations internationales ou à la défense ou à la sécurité nationales, autoriser, sous réserve des conditions qu'il estime indiquées, la divulgation de tout ou partie des renseignements, d'un résumé de ceux-ci ou d'un aveu écrit des faits qui y sont liés.
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| (3) If the judge does not authorize disclosure under subsection (1) or (2), the judge shall, by order, confirm the prohibition of disclosure.
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(3) Dans le cas où le juge n'autorise pas la divulgation au titre des paragraphes (1) ou (2), il rend une ordonnance confirmant l'interdiction de divulgation.
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| (3.1) The judge may receive into evidence anything that, in the opinion of the judge, is reliable and appropriate, even if it would not otherwise be admissible under Canadian law, and may base his or her decision on that evidence.
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(3.1) Le juge peut recevoir et admettre en preuve tout élément qu'il estime digne de foi et approprié - même si le droit canadien ne prévoit pas par ailleurs son admissibilité - et peut fonder sa décision sur cet élément.
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| (4) A person who wishes to introduce into evidence material the disclosure of which is authorized under subsection (2) but who may not be able to do so in a proceeding by reason of the rules of admissibility that apply in the proceeding may request from a judge an order permitting the introduction into evidence of the material in a form or subject to any conditions fixed by that judge, as long as that form and those conditions comply with the order made under subsection (2).
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(4) La personne qui veut faire admettre en preuve ce qui a fait l'objet d'une autorisation de divulgation prévue au paragraphe (2), mais qui ne pourra peut-être pas le faire à cause des règles d'admissibilité applicables à l'instance, peut demander à un juge de rendre une ordonnance autorisant la production en preuve des renseignements, du résumé ou de l'aveu dans la forme ou aux conditions que celui-ci détermine, dans la mesure où telle forme ou telles conditions sont conformes à l'ordonnance rendue au titre du paragraphe (2).
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| (5) For the purpose of subsection (4), the judge shall consider all the factors that would be relevant for a determination of admissibility in the proceeding.
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(5) Pour l'application du paragraphe (4), le juge prend en compte tous les facteurs qui seraient pertinents pour statuer sur l'admissibilité en preuve au cours de l'instance.
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| 38.07 The judge may order the Attorney General of Canada to give notice of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) to any person who, in the opinion of the judge, should be notified.
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38.07 Le juge peut ordonner au procureur général du Canada d'aviser de l'ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) toute personne qui, de l'avis du juge, devrait être avisée.
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| 38.08 If the judge determines that a party to the proceeding whose interests are adversely affected by an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) was not given the opportunity to make representations under paragraph 38.04(5)(d), the judge shall refer the order to the Federal Court of Appeal for review.
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38.08 Si le juge conclut qu'une partie à l'instance dont les intérêts sont lésés par une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) n'a pas eu la possibilité de présenter ses observations au titre de l'alinéa 38.04(5)d), il renvoie l'ordonnance à la Cour d'appel fédérale pour examen.
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| 38.09 (1) An order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) may be appealed to the Federal Court of Appeal.
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38.09 (1) Il peut être interjeté appel d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) devant la Cour d'appel fédérale.
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| (2) An appeal shall be brought within 10 days after the day on which the order is made or within any further time that the Court considers appropriate in the circumstances.
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(2) Le délai dans lequel l'appel peut être interjeté est de dix jours suivant la date de l'ordonnance frappée d'appel, mais la Cour d'appel fédérale peut le proroger si elle l'estime indiqué en l'espèce.
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| 38.1 Notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament, |
38.1 Malgré toute autre loi fédérale : |
| (a) an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from a judgment made on appeal shall be made within 10 days after the day on which the judgment appealed from is made or within any further time that the Supreme Court of Canada considers appropriate in the circumstances; and |
a) le délai de demande d'autorisation d'en appeler à la Cour suprême du Canada est de dix jours suivant le jugement frappé d'appel, mais ce tribunal peut proroger le délai s'il l'estime indiqué en l'espèce; |
| (b) if leave to appeal is granted, the appeal shall be brought in the manner set out in subsection 60(1) of the Supreme Court Act but within the time specified by the Supreme Court of Canada.
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b) dans les cas où l'autorisation est accordée, l'appel est interjeté conformément au paragraphe 60(1) de la Loi sur la Cour suprême, mais le délai qui s'applique est celui qu'a fixé la Cour suprême du Canada.
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| 38.11 (1) A hearing under subsection 38.04(5) or an appeal or review of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) shall be heard in private and, at the request of either the Attorney General of Canada or, in the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Minister of National Defence, shall be heard in the National Capital Region, as described in the schedule to the National Capital Act.
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38.11 (1) Les audiences prévues au paragraphe 38.04(5) et l'audition de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) sont tenues à huis clos et, à la demande soit du procureur général du Canada, soit du ministre de la Défense nationale dans le cas des instances engagées sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale, elles ont lieu dans la région de la capitale nationale définie à l'annexe de la Loi sur la capitale nationale.
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| (2) The judge conducting a hearing under subsection 38.04(5) or the court hearing an appeal or review of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) may give any person who makes representations under paragraph 38.04(5)(d), and shall give the Attorney General of Canada and, in the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Minister of National Defence, the opportunity to make representations ex parte.
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(2) Le juge saisi d'une affaire au titre du paragraphe 38.04(5) ou le tribunal saisi de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) donne au procureur général du Canada - et au ministre de la Défense nationale dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale - la possibilité de présenter ses observations en l'absence d'autres parties. Il peut en faire de même pour les personnes qu'il entend en application de l'alinéa 38.04(5)d).
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| 38.12 (1) The judge conducting a hearing under subsection 38.04(5) or the court hearing an appeal or review of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) may make any order that the judge or the court considers appropriate in the circumstances to protect the confidentiality of the information to which the hearing, appeal or review relates.
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38.12 (1) Le juge saisi d'une affaire au titre du paragraphe 38.04(5) ou le tribunal saisi de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) peut rendre toute ordonnance qu'il estime indiquée en l'espèce en vue de protéger la confidentialité des renseignements sur lesquels porte l'audience, l'appel ou l'examen.
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| (2) The court records relating to the hearing, appeal or review are confidential. The judge or the court may order that the records be sealed and kept in a location to which the public has no access.
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(2) Le dossier ayant trait à l'audience, à l'appel ou à l'examen est confidentiel. Le juge ou le tribunal saisi peut ordonner qu'il soit placé sous scellé et gardé dans un lieu interdit au public.
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| 38.13 (1) The Attorney General of Canada may personally issue a certificate that prohibits the disclosure of information in connection with a proceeding for the purpose of protecting information obtained in confidence from, or in relation to, a foreign entity as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Security of Information Act or for the purpose of protecting national defence or national security. The certificate may only be issued after an order or decision that would result in the disclosure of the information to be subject to the certificate has been made under this or any other Act of Parliament.
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38.13 (1) Le procureur général du Canada peut délivrer personnellement un certificat interdisant la divulgation de renseignements dans le cadre d'une instance dans le but de protéger soit des renseignements obtenus à titre confidentiel d'une entité étrangère - au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi sur la protection de l'information - ou qui concernent une telle entité, soit la défense ou la sécurité nationales. La délivrance ne peut être effectuée qu'après la prise, au titre de la présente loi ou de toute autre loi fédérale, d'une ordonnance ou d'une décision qui entraînerait la divulgation des renseignements devant faire l'objet du certificat.
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| (2) In the case of a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act, the Attorney General of Canada may issue the certificate only with the agreement, given personally, of the Minister of National Defence.
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(2) Dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale, le procureur général du Canada ne peut délivrer de certificat qu'avec l'assentiment du ministre de la Défense nationale donné personnellement par celui-ci.
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| (3) The Attorney General of Canada shall cause a copy of the certificate to be served on |
(3) Le procureur général du Canada fait signifier une copie du certificat : |
| (a) the person presiding or designated to preside at the proceeding to which the information relates or, if no person is designated, the person who has the authority to designate a person to preside; |
a) à la personne qui préside ou est désignée pour présider l'instance à laquelle sont liés les renseignements ou, à défaut de désignation, à la personne qui est habilitée à effectuer la désignation; |
| (b) every party to the proceeding; |
b) à toute partie à l'instance; |
| (c) every person who gives notice under section 38.01 in connection with the proceeding; |
c) à toute personne qui donne l'avis prévu à l'article 38.01 dans le cadre de l'instance; |
| (d) every person who, in connection with the proceeding, may disclose, is required to disclose or may cause the disclosure of the information about which the Attorney General of Canada has received notice under section 38.01; |
d) à toute personne qui, dans le cadre de l'instance, a l'obligation de divulguer ou pourrait divulguer ou faire divulguer les renseignements à l'égard desquels le procureur général du Canada a été avisé en application de l'article 38.01; |
| (e) every party to a hearing under subsection 38.04(5) or to an appeal of an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) in relation to the information; |
e) à toute partie aux procédures engagées en application du paragraphe 38.04(5) ou à l'appel d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) en ce qui concerne les renseignements; |
| (f) the judge who conducts a hearing under subsection 38.04(5) and any court that hears an appeal from, or review of, an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) in relation to the information; and |
f) au juge qui tient une audience en application du paragraphe 38.04(5) et à tout tribunal saisi de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) en ce qui concerne les renseignements; |
| (g) any other person who, in the opinion of the Attorney General of Canada, should be served.
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g) à toute autre personne à laquelle, de l'avis du procureur général du Canada, une copie du certificat devrait être signifiée.
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| (4) The Attorney General of Canada shall cause a copy of the certificate to be filed |
(4) Le procureur général du Canada fait déposer une copie du certificat : |
| (a) with the person responsible for the records of the proceeding to which the information relates; and |
a) auprès de la personne responsable des dossiers relatifs à l'instance; |
| (b) in the Registry of the Federal Court and the registry of any court that hears an appeal from, or review of, an order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3).
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b) au greffe de la Cour fédérale et à celui de tout tribunal saisi de l'appel ou de l'examen d'une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3).
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| (5) If the Attorney General of Canada issues a certificate, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, disclosure of the information shall be prohibited in accordance with the terms of the certificate.
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(5) Une fois délivré, le certificat a pour effet, malgré toute autre disposition de la présente loi, d'interdire, selon ses termes, la divulgation des renseignements.
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| (6) The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to a certificate issued under subsection (1).
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(6) La Loi sur les textes réglementaires ne s'applique pas aux certificats délivrés au titre du paragraphe (1).
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| (7) The Attorney General of Canada shall, without delay after a certificate is issued, cause the certificate to be published in the Canada Gazette.
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(7) Dès que le certificat est délivré, le procureur général du Canada le fait publier dans la Gazette du Canada.
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| (8) The certificate and any matters arising out of it are not subject to review or to be restrained, prohibited, removed, set aside or otherwise dealt with, except in accordance with section 38.131.
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(8) Le certificat ou toute question qui en découle n'est susceptible de révision, de restriction, d'interdiction, d'annulation, de rejet ou de toute autre forme d'intervention que sous le régime de l'article 38.131.
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| (9) The certificate expires 15 years after the day on which it is issued and may be reissued.
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(9) Le certificat expire à la fin d'une période de quinze ans à compter de la date de sa délivrance et peut être délivré de nouveau.
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| 38.131 (1) A party to the proceeding referred to in section 38.13 may apply to the Federal Court of Appeal for an order varying or cancelling a certificate issued under that section on the grounds referred to in subsection (8) or (9), as the case may be.
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38.131 (1) Toute partie à l'instance visée à l'article 38.13 peut demander à la Cour d'appel fédérale de rendre une ordonnance modifiant ou annulant un certificat délivré au titre de cet article pour les motifs mentionnés aux paragraphes (8) ou (9), selon le cas.
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| (2) The applicant shall give notice of the application to the Attorney General of Canada.
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(2) Le demandeur en avise le procureur général du Canada.
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| (3) In the case of proceedings under Part III of the National Defence Act, notice under subsection (2) shall be given to both the Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of National Defence.
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(3) Dans le cas d'une instance engagée sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale, l'avis prévu au paragraphe (2) est donné à la fois au procureur général du Canada et au ministre de la Défense nationale.
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| (4) Notwithstanding section 16 of the Federal Court Act, for the purposes of the application, the Federal Court of Appeal consists of a single judge of that Court.
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(4) Par dérogation à l'article 16 de la Loi sur la cour fédérale, la Cour d'appel fédérale est constituée d'un seul juge de ce tribunal pour l'étude de la demande.
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| (5) In considering the application, the judge may receive into evidence anything that, in the opinion of the judge, is reliable and appropriate, even if it would not otherwise be admissible under Canadian law, and may base a determination made under any of subsections (8) to (10) on that evidence.
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(5) Pour l'étude de la demande, le juge peut recevoir et admettre en preuve tout élément qu'il estime digne de foi et approprié - même si le droit canadien ne prévoit pas par ailleurs son admissibilité - et peut se fonder sur cet élément pour rendre sa décision au titre de l'un des paragraphes (8) à (10).
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| (6) Sections 38.11 and 38.12 apply, with any necessary modifications, to an application made under subsection (1).
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(6) Les articles 38.11 et 38.12 s'appliquent, avec les adaptations nécessaires, à la demande présentée au titre du paragraphe (1).
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| (7) The judge shall consider the application as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 10 days after the application is made under subsection (1).
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(7) Le juge étudie la demande le plus tôt possible, mais au plus tard dans les dix jours suivant la présentation de la demande au titre du paragraphe (1).
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| (8) If the judge determines that some of the information subject to the certificate does not relate either to information obtained in confidence from, or in relation to, a foreign entity as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Security of Information Act, or to national defence or security, the judge shall make an order varying the certificate accordingly.
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(8) Si le juge estime qu'une partie des renseignements visés par le certificat ne porte pas sur des renseignements obtenus à titre confidentiel d'une entité étrangère - au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi sur la protection de l'information - ou qui concernent une telle entité ni sur la défense ou la sécurité nationales, il modifie celui-ci en conséquence par ordonnance.
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| (9) If the judge determines that none of the information subject to the certificate relates to information obtained in confidence from, or in relation to, a foreign entity as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Security of Information Act, or to national defence or security, the judge shall make an order cancelling the certificate.
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(9) Si le juge estime qu'aucun renseignement visé par le certificat ne porte sur des renseignements obtenus à titre confidentiel d'une entité étrangère - au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi sur la protection de l'information - ou qui concernent une telle entité, ni sur la défense ou la sécurité nationales, il révoque celui-ci par ordonnance.
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| (10) If the judge determines that all of the information subject to the certificate relates to information obtained in confidence from, or in relation to, a foreign entity as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Security of Information Act, or to national defence or security, the judge shall make an order confirming the certificate.
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(10) Si le juge estime que tous les renseignements visés par le certificat portent sur des renseignements obtenus à titre confidentiel d'une entité étrangère - au sens du paragraphe 2(1) de la Loi sur la protection de l'information - ou qui concernent une telle entité, ou sur la défense ou la sécurité nationales, il confirme celui-ci par ordonnance.
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| (11) Notwithstanding any other Act of Parliament, a determination of a judge under any of subsections (8) to (10) is final and is not subject to review or appeal by any court.
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(11) La décision du juge rendue au titre de l'un des paragraphes (8) à (10) est définitive et, par dérogation à toute autre loi fédérale, non susceptible d'appel ni de révision judiciaire.
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| (12) If a certificate is varied or cancelled under this section, the Attorney General of Canada shall, as soon as possible after the decision of the judge and in a manner that mentions the original publication of the certificate, cause to be published in the Canada Gazette |
(12) Dès que possible après la décision du juge, le procureur général du Canada fait publier dans la Gazette du Canada, avec mention du certificat publié antérieurement : |
| (a) the certificate as varied under subsection (8); or |
a) le certificat modifié au titre du paragraphe (8); |
| (b) a notice of the cancellation of the certificate under subsection (9).
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b) un avis de la révocation d'un certificat au titre du paragraphe (9).
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| 38.14 (1) The person presiding at a criminal proceeding may make any order that he or she considers appropriate in the circumstances to protect the right of the accused to a fair trial, as long as that order complies with the terms of any order made under any of subsections 38.06(1) to (3) in relation to that proceeding, any judgment made on appeal from, or review of, the order, or any certificate issued under section 38.13.
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38.14 (1) La personne qui préside une instance criminelle peut rendre l'ordonnance qu'elle estime indiquée en l'espèce en vue de protéger le droit de l'accusé à un procès équitable, pourvu que telle ordonnance soit conforme à une ordonnance rendue en application de l'un des paragraphes 38.06(1) à (3) relativement à cette instance, a une décision en appel ou découlant de l'examen ou au certificat délivré au titre de l'article 38.13.
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| (2) The orders that may be made under subsection (1) include, but are not limited to, the following orders: |
(2) L'ordonnance rendue au titre du paragraphe (1) peut notamment : |
| (a) an order dismissing specified counts of the indictment or information, or permitting the indictment or information to proceed only in respect of a lesser or included offence; |
a) annuler un chef d'accusation d'un acte d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation, ou autoriser l'instruction d'un chef d'accusation ou d'une dénonciation pour une infraction moins grave ou une infraction incluse; |
| (b) an order effecting a stay of the proceedings; and |
b) ordonner l'arrêt des procédures; |
| (c) an order finding against any party on any issue relating to information the disclosure of which is prohibited.
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c) être rendue à l'encontre de toute partie sur toute question liée aux renseignements dont la divulgation est interdite.
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| 38.15 (1) If sensitive information or potentially injurious information may be disclosed in connection with a prosecution that is not instituted by the Attorney General of Canada or on his or her behalf, the Attorney General of Canada may issue a fiat and serve the fiat on the prosecutor.
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38.15 (1) Dans le cas où des renseignements sensibles ou des renseignements potentiellement préjudiciables peuvent être divulgués dans le cadre d'une poursuite qui n'est pas engagée par le procureur général du Canada ou pour son compte, il peut délivrer un fiat et le faire signifier au poursuivant.
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| (2) When a fiat is served on a prosecutor, the fiat establishes the exclusive authority of the Attorney General of Canada with respect to the conduct of the prosecution described in the fiat or any related process.
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(2) Le fiat établit la compétence exclusive du procureur général du Canada à l'égard de la poursuite qui y est mentionnée et des procédures qui y sont liées.
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| (3) If a prosecution described in the fiat or any related process is conducted by or on behalf of the Attorney General of Canada, the fiat or a copy of the fiat shall be filed with the court in which the prosecution or process is conducted.
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(3) L'original ou un double du fiat est déposé devant le tribunal saisi de la poursuite - ou d'une autre procédure liée à celle-ci - engagée par le procureur général du Canada ou pour son compte.
|
| (4) The fiat or a copy of the fiat |
(4) Le fiat ou le double de celui-ci : |
| (a) is conclusive proof that the prosecution described in the fiat or any related process may be conducted by or on behalf of the Attorney General of Canada; and |
a) est une preuve concluante que le procureur général du Canada ou son délégué a compétence pour mener la poursuite qui y est mentionnée ou les procédures qui y sont liées; |
| (b) is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the Attorney General of Canada.
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b) est admissible en preuve sans qu'il soit nécessaire de prouver la signature ou la qualité officielle du procureur général du Canada.
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| (5) This section does not apply to a proceeding under Part III of the National Defence Act.
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(5) Le présent article ne s'applique pas aux instances engagées sous le régime de la partie III de la Loi sur la défense nationale.
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| 38.16 The Governor in Council may make any regulations that the Governor in Council considers necessary to carry into effect the purposes and provisions of sections 38 to 38.15, including regulations respecting the notices, certificates and the fiat. |
38.16 Le gouverneur en conseil peut, par règlement, prendre les mesures qu'il estime nécessaires à l'application des articles 38 à 38.15, notamment régir les avis, certificats et fiat. |
FEDERAL COURT
SOLICITORS OF RECORD
STYLE OF CAUSE:
DOMINION INVESTMENTS (NASSAU) LTD.
-and-
MARTIN TREMBLAY
(President of Dominion Investments (Nassau) Ltd.)
-AND-
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA
PLACE OF HEARING: Montréal, Quebec
ADDITIONAL
SUBMISSIONS: June 17, July 28 and August 17, 2005.
REASONS FOR ORDER: MADAM JUSTICE GAUTHIER
DATE OF REASONS: October 13, 2005
APPEARANCES:
Michel Décary FOR THE PLAINTIFF(S)
Louise Touchette
Charles Gagnon
Jacques Savary FOR THE DEFENDANT(S)
Nathalie Drouin
SOLICITORS OF RECORD:
Stikeman, Elliott FOR THE PLAINTIFF(S)
Montréal, Quebec
John H. Sims, Q.C. FOR THE DEFENDANT(S)
Deputy Attorney General of Canada
[1] T.G. Cooper, Crown Privilege, Ottawa, Canada Law Book Inc., 1990, page 17, footnote 2.
John Sopinka, Sidney N. Lederman and Alan W. Bryant, The Law of Evidence in Canada, 2nd ed., Toronto and Vancouver, Butterworths, 1999, paragraphs 15.5 to 15.8.
[2] The 1982 provisions, sections 36.1, 36.2 and 36.3, were renumbered in the 1985 revision and became sections 37, 38 and 39. I will use the new numbering in my reasons.
[3] The parties confirmed that they also reviewed the British, Australian and New Zealand decisions on this question.
[4] This language expands the circumstances in which a non-disclosure application under section 38 may be made. However, even in this context, it is not clear that after obtaining a non-disclosure order a party may submit the "secret" evidence to the court hearing the proceeding (other than the designated judge, within the meaning of section 38) to support its own position. I do not intend to address that question here.
[5] The Prothonotary reached that conclusion simply because the defendant must reply to all allegations in the statement of claim. He does not seem to have considered that balancing the interests in play calls for a more rigorous test to be applied than mere relevance to the allegations in the statement of claim. In relation to both section 37 and section 38, in fact, the Court must consider whether the information is evidence that is crucial or very important to the success of the action or the defence (on this point, see the decisions cited in paragraph 66 below).