The appellant, a young woman addicted to prescription painkillers, sought drugs from the respondent, an elderly physician.
The respondent discovered her addiction and demanded sexual favours in exchange for prescribing the drugs.
The appellant acquiesced out of desperation.
She later sued for battery, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty.
The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal, holding that the power imbalance and exploitative nature of the relationship vitiated the appellant's consent to the sexual contact.
The Court awarded aggravated and punitive damages, finding the doctor's conduct reprehensible and a breach of his professional and fiduciary duties.
