Jane Stewart

The applicant sought access to police records concerning a youth (W.C.) under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) after being struck by a pellet from a BB gun.

The police had investigated but laid no charges, opting for extrajudicial measures.

The court found that the police records constituted records of extrajudicial measures under section 119(4) of the YCJA, which prohibits access to such records for individuals like the applicant.

Even if not considered extrajudicial measures, the records were inaccessible under the YCJA's statutory framework, as section 123, which allows access after certain periods, did not apply to records where no charges were laid and thus no access period was defined.

The court emphasized the YCJA's principles of youth privacy and diminished moral blameworthiness.

The application was dismissed.

In a custody dispute between a children's maternal aunt and their father following the death of the children's mother, a First Nation band sought to be added as a party or alternatively granted intervener status.

The band argued its participation was necessary to assist the court in assessing the best interests of children of First Nations heritage.

The court held that under the Children’s Law Reform Act and the Family Law Rules, a non-party should only be added where their presence is necessary to determine the issues in dispute.

Because the father was a member of the First Nation and could present cultural and community evidence, the band’s participation was not necessary.

The motion to be added as a party and the alternative request for intervener or amicus status were dismissed.