Gillian Patterson

The appellant appealed an order dismissing its motion to strike the respondent's wrongful dismissal claim.

The respondent, a former CSIS employee, alleged wrongful dismissal based on the revocation of his security clearance.

The Divisional Court allowed the appeal, finding that the court lacked jurisdiction because the CSIS Act provides a comprehensive administrative procedure for redress, precluding a civil action under the Public Service Labour Relations Act.

Furthermore, the respondent's claims for pre-termination salary and benefits were an abuse of process as they attempted to re-litigate issues already addressed through grievances.

The statement of claim was struck without leave to amend.

The Attorney General of Canada moved to dismiss the plaintiff's Statement of Claim under Rule 21.01(3)(a) or (d), arguing lack of jurisdiction or abuse of process.

The plaintiff, a former CSIS employee, opposed, relying on section 236(3) of the Public Service Labour Relations Act, which allows employees to dispute termination not related to discipline or misconduct.

The court found that the "may" in CSISA section 41 regarding SIRC complaints was permissive, not mandatory, and that PSLRA section 236(3) preserves a common law right of action for performance-based terminations.

Given the high burden on the moving party under Rule 21, the motion to dismiss was denied.

The appellant appealed an order striking his statement of claim against his employer and five co-workers for defamation and other torts arising from workplace disputes.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, holding that the appellant's claims were governed by the Public Service Labour Relations Act, which requires such disputes to be addressed through the grievance procedure in lieu of any right of action.

The court also declined to address Charter allegations not included in the statement of claim.