ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
DIVISIONAL COURT
THEN, SOMERS AND GREER J.
B E T W E E N:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ONTARIO
Applicant
- and -
DAVID GOODIS, ADJUDICATOR,
and JANE DOE, REQUESTER
Respondents
Dennis W. Brown, Q.C., and James Kendik for the Applicant
William S. Challis and Shirley Senoff, for the Respondent
HEARD: May 21, 2003
then J.: (Orally)
1The Attorney General applies by way of judicial review for an order quashing Order PO-2037, made on August 30, 2002 by the respondent adjudicator.
2The requester sought information about costs incurred in bringing witnesses from India to Canada to testify at the preliminary hearing, a first degree murder trial that ended in a mistrial and a second trial, each of which was a year apart. The requester sought the records of the costs incurred in terms of the air fare, accommodation, meals and miscellaneous expenses. With respect to all these records, the names and signatures of the witnesses were to be expunged. Alternatively, the requester expressed that it would be content with a sum or a figure for the total cost to the province in arranging for these witnesses to testify in Canada. The adjudicator held that none of the exemptions under s.14(1)(a) and (f), s.19, s.2(1) and s.21 applied and ordered the Ministry to disclose the records to the applicant, except for the names and signatures of the witnesses. The alternative relief requested by the requester was not pursued.
3We are all satisfied that the adjudicator, in interpreting and refusing to apply the exemptions under s.14(1)(a) and (f) properly appreciated the Attorney General's concern that the disclosure of the requested records not undermine the rulings made by Mr. Justice Glithero in order to safeguard potential fair trial rights of the accused.
4We are further satisfied that the interpretations placed on s.14(1)(a) and (f) as well as on sections 2(1) and 21, were not unreasonable and that the adjudicator was reasonable in his conclusion that the Attorney General had not discharged the burden on it to demonstrate that these exemptions were applicable.
5We are also satisfied that the adjudicator was correct in finding that the exemption under s.19 did not apply in the circumstances of this case. The application must accordingly be dismissed. No costs will be ordered.
6The application record is endorsed as follows: "The application is dismissed for oral reasons delivered this day. No costs are sought and none are awarded. The private record is ordered resealed."
THEN J.
SOMERS J.
GREER J.
Date of Reasons for Judgment: May 21, 2003
Date of Release: May 28, 2003
COURT FILE NO.: 570/02
DATE: 20030521
ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
DIVISIONAL COURT
THEN, SOMERS AND GREER J.
B E T W E E N:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ONTARIO
Applicant
- and -
DAVID GOODIS, ADJUDICATOR,
and JANE DOE, REQUESTER
Respondents
ORAL REASONS FOR JUDGMENT
THEN J.
Date of Reasons for Judgment: May 21, 2003
Date of Release: May 28, 2003