The City of Barrie applied to the Ontario Municipal Board to annex parts of neighbouring townships.
During the hearing, the Minister of Treasury, Economics and Intergovernmental Affairs submitted a letter stating the government's policy on the projected population of Barrie.
The Board ruled it was bound by this policy and refused to allow the objectors to cross-examine the government representative who delivered the letter.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that the Board erred in denying the objectors the opportunity to cross-examine the representative, as the relevant statutes established a clear right to meet the case against them by cross-examination.
