D. G. Cowper

The appellant, a solicitor, was wrongfully dismissed by his employer without cause.

He claimed damages for lost pension rights, which had not vested at the time of dismissal, as well as aggravated damages for mental distress and punitive damages due to the harsh and humiliating treatment he received from his supervisor prior to dismissal.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the express terms of the pension plan precluded the implication of a term protecting unvested pension rights upon wrongful dismissal.

The Court further held that aggravated and punitive damages are generally not available in breach of contract actions unless the conduct complained of constitutes an independent actionable wrong.

The respondent, a British subject permanently resident in Canada, met all requirements for admission to the British Columbia bar except Canadian citizenship.

He challenged the citizenship requirement under s. 15(1) of the Charter.

The Supreme Court of Canada held that the citizenship requirement infringed s. 15(1) because it discriminated against non-citizens, an analogous group, and was not justified under s. 1.

The Court established the foundational approach to s. 15(1), rejecting the 'similarly situated' test in favour of an approach focusing on enumerated and analogous grounds.

The appellant insurer appealed a decision upholding the validity of an insured's assignment of a cause of action against the insurer for failing to properly defend an action.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal from the bench, adopting the reasons of the British Columbia Court of Appeal.