Catherine J. Parker

The Surrey School Board passed a resolution declining to approve three books depicting same-sex parented families as supplementary learning resources for Kindergarten and Grade One classrooms.

The appellants challenged the resolution.

The Supreme Court of Canada held that the Board's decision was unreasonable because it failed to act in accordance with the secular mandate of the School Act.

The Board allowed the religious views of some parents to trump the need for equal respect and tolerance for all family models, and failed to apply the appropriate criteria for approving supplementary learning resources.

The appeal was allowed and the matter remanded to the Board.

The respondent patient sued the appellant doctor for medical malpractice after he allegedly misdiagnosed her breast cancer.

The action was commenced outside the standard two-year limitation period.

The Supreme Court of Canada considered whether the running of time was postponed under s. 6(4)(b) of the Limitation Act.

The Court held that the provision requires a subjective/objective approach, postponing the limitation period until a reasonable person would conclude that the plaintiff could reasonably bring an action in light of their own serious, significant, and compelling circumstances.

The appeal was dismissed, allowing the action to proceed.