The appellants brought a civil liability action against the succession of a man who murdered his former spouse and their two children before committing suicide.
The trial judge awarded personal damages for solatium doloris but dismissed the successions' claims for compensatory and punitive damages.
The Court of Appeal upheld the decision.
The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal in part, holding that punitive damages under s. 49 of the Quebec Charter are autonomous and can be awarded even without compensatory damages.
The Court also held that the death of the wrongdoer does not preclude an award of punitive damages, as they serve a denunciatory purpose.
The Court awarded $10,000 in exemplary damages to the victims' successions.
