The appellants were members of a Hutterite colony who were expelled following a dispute over a hog feeder patent and subsequent disobedience to the colony's leadership.
The colony sought a court order to enforce the expulsion and require the appellants to vacate the colony lands.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that while courts are slow to intervene in the internal affairs of voluntary religious associations, they will do so when property or civil rights are at stake.
The Court found that the expulsion was invalid because the colony failed to provide the appellants with adequate notice of the meetings where their expulsion was considered, thereby violating the principles of natural justice.
The appeal was allowed and the action dismissed.
