Chouinard J.

The appellant appealed an order of absolute adoption in respect of his two children, initially raising a constitutional question regarding the paramountcy of the Divorce Act over the Child Welfare Act.

The Supreme Court of Canada found that the position taken by the appellant's counsel emptied the appeal of any constitutional issue.

As leave to appeal was granted solely on the constitutional question, the appeal was quashed with no order as to costs.

The appellant and respondent lived together in a common law relationship for almost twenty years.

During this time, the respondent supported the appellant financially while he saved his income, and later she worked extensively in their beekeeping business.

The properties and business were held entirely in the appellant's name.

Upon separation, the respondent sought a declaration of entitlement to a one-half interest in the lands and the beekeeping business.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the respondent was entitled to a one-half interest based on the doctrine of constructive trust.

The Court found that the appellant had been unjustly enriched by the respondent's financial support and unpaid labour, and that it would be unjust to allow him to retain the full benefit of her contributions.

The appellant appealed her conviction for first degree murder.

The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial because the trial judge failed to hold a voir dire on a crucial statement allegedly made by the accused to a police officer.

The Court reaffirmed its previous decision in Erven v. The Queen and held that the curative proviso in section 613(1)(b)(iii) of the Criminal Code did not apply.