On July 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Canada (Attorney General) v. Power, 2024 SCC 26. The CCLA was an intervenor in the case. This appeal concerned if and when the state can be held liable for damages if legislation is found to violate the Charte des droits et libertés.
The CCLA argued that the Court should continue to follow an earlier decision on the issue, Mackin v. New Brunswick, 2002 SCC 13. Under Mackin, the state can be held liable for Charte damages if the legislation was clearly unconstitutional, in bad faith, or an abuse of power. The CCLA also argued that any case should be examined based on its own facts and merits and that the Court should not unnecessarily limit state liability.
The Court ruled that Mackin continues to apply and emphasized that damage awards under the Charte are important to ensure that the state is held accountable when it breaches Charte rights (para. 95). The Court noted, “shielding the government from liability in even the most egregious circumstances…would subvert the principles that demand government accountability” (para. 5).
The decision can be read ICI, and CCLA’s factum can be read ICI.
The CCLA is grateful to Andrew Lokan and Mariam Moktar of Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP for their excellent pro bono représentation dans ce cas.
À propos de l’association canadienne sur les libertés civiles
L’ACLC est un organisme indépendant à but non lucratif qui compte des sympathisant.e.s dans tout le pays. Fondé en 1964, c’est un organisme qui œuvre à l’échelle du Canada à la protection des droits et des libertés civiles de toute sa population.
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