The respondent pleaded guilty to a third drinking and driving offence, which was treated as a second offence for sentencing purposes.
Due to an administrative error, the Ministry of Transportation also treated it as a second offence, suspending his licence for three years instead of indefinitely.
After the respondent completed the requirements, the Registrar reinstated his licence.
Two years later, the Ministry discovered the error and suspended the licence indefinitely.
The Divisional Court granted mandamus to reinstate the licence.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the Ministry's appeal, holding that the Ministry could not disavow the Registrar's earlier exercise of statutory authority to reinstate the licence after the respondent had relied on it.
