Chantal Masse

The appellants, former employees of Stelco in Quebec, sought early retirement benefits under Stelco's pension plan after plant closures.

The plan was governed by Ontario law.

Ontario's Superintendent of Pensions ordered a partial wind up and approved a report granting early retirement benefits only to Ontario employees, while Quebec employees received deferred pensions under Quebec law.

The appellants did not contest this decision in Ontario but sued in Quebec based on their employment contracts.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the action was an impermissible collateral attack on the Superintendent's final decision, barred by res judicata and issue estoppel, and that the Quebec courts should decline jurisdiction based on forum non conveniens.

The respondent appealed a refusal for reimbursement of medical equipment to the Commission des affaires sociales.

Two commissioners heard the appeal and drafted a favourable decision, but the Commission's president reviewed it and disagreed.

A compulsory plenary meeting was held, leading one commissioner to change her mind, and the president then decided the matter against the respondent.

The Supreme Court of Canada held that the Commission's institutionalized consultation process violated the rules of natural justice by creating systemic pressure and an appearance of bias, and dismissed the Commission's appeal.