The Crown brought actions in the Federal Court, Trial Division to recover debts owed by the appellants under the Prairie Grain Advance Payments Act and the Canada Student Loans Act.
The appellants argued the Federal Court lacked jurisdiction, relying on previous jurisprudence that mere contractual claims by the Crown do not fall under federal law.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that the detailed statutory frameworks governing the advances and loans constituted existing and applicable federal law.
Therefore, the Federal Court had jurisdiction under section 17(4)(a) of the Federal Court Act and section 101 of the British North America Act.
The appeals were dismissed.
