The applicant, a limited partnership operating via an incorporated general partner, successfully applied for funding under the Energy Savings Rebate Program.
However, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) officials later refused to execute a funding agreement, discovering the applicant was not a corporation as represented on its application, thus failing an eligibility criterion.
The applicant sought judicial review.
The Federal Court held that ECCC officials possessed broad discretionary authority derived from the common law and delegated by the Minister to refuse the contract despite preliminary approval-in-principle.
Furthermore, the decision was reasonable and procedurally fair, as the relationship was commercial in nature and the applicant received notice of eligibility criteria and the chance to make submissions.
