Keelan Sinnott

The applicants sought judicial review of the Minister's decision to require an Attestation for the 2018 Canada Summer Jobs program, which required applicants to attest that their core mandate respects individual human rights, including reproductive rights.

The right-to-life organization refused to sign and its funding application was rejected.

The Federal Court dismissed the application, finding the Attestation was intra vires the Department of Employment and Social Development Act and was not made in bad faith or with a closed mind.

While the Attestation minimally engaged freedom of religion and expression, it reflected a proportionate balancing with the statutory objective of ensuring an inclusive labour market and protecting human rights.

The applicant, a faith-based institution, sought judicial review of a decision denying its application for Canada Summer Jobs program funding.

The court allowed the application, finding that the decision was procedurally unfair and unreasonable.

The Minister breached procedural fairness by not providing the applicant notice of concerns regarding alleged discrimination, denying them the opportunity to respond.

Furthermore, the decision was unreasonable because the record showed the Minister never actually assessed whether the applicant's project discriminated contrary to applicable laws.

A declaration was issued that the decision was procedurally unfair and unreasonable, and the applicant was awarded costs on a solicitor and client basis.

Following the dismissal of their application challenging a Parks Canada development, the applicants sought to be excused from paying costs, arguing the application was brought in the public interest.

The Court found the applicants had a personal interest as neighbours and did not meet all criteria for public interest costs immunity.

The Court ordered the applicants to pay $2,750 in costs to the respondents.