Bell Canada appealed a taxation order confirming costs awarded by the CRTC to public interest interveners in a rate hearing.
Bell argued that because the interveners received government funding or were represented by retained counsel, they did not actually incur expenses, and thus the award violated the principle of indemnification.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that while the word 'costs' carries a general connotation of indemnification, the CRTC is not bound by the strict rules applicable in courts and may take a broad view to encourage informed public participation.
