The appellants applied for income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997.
The Director denied their applications on the basis that their only substantial impairment was alcoholism, which is excluded from support under the Act.
The appellants appealed to the Social Benefits Tribunal, arguing that the exclusion violated the Human Rights Code.
The Tribunal held it lacked jurisdiction to consider the Code.
The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal, holding that statutory tribunals empowered to decide questions of law are presumed to have the power to apply the whole law, including human rights legislation, unless the legislature clearly demonstrates otherwise.
The Court found no such legislative intent and remitted the matter to the Tribunal.
