Date: 20080915
Docket: T-215-08
Citation: 2008
FC 1034
Ottawa, Ontario, September 15, 2008
PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Phelan
BETWEEN:
HALIFAX
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Applicant
and
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, as
represented by
PUBLIC WORKS AND
GOVERNMENT SERVICES CANADA
Respondent
REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER
[1]
The
Property Valuation Services Corporation (Assessment Authority) has applied for
intervenor status in a judicial review commenced by the Halifax Regional
Municipality (HRM). The judicial review is of advice given to the Respondent’s
Minister by the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Dispute Advisory Panel (Panel).
[2]
The
Respondent has opposed the motion; the Applicant has taken no position.
[3]
The motion
is made pursuant to Rule 109 of the Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106:
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109. (1) The Court may, on motion, grant
leave to any person to intervene in a proceeding.
(2) Notice of a motion under subsection (1) shall
(a) set out the full name and address of the
proposed intervener and of any solicitor acting for the proposed intervener;
and
(b) describe how the proposed intervener wishes to
participate in the proceeding and how that participation will assist the
determination of a factual or legal issue related to the proceeding.
(3) In granting a
motion under subsection (1), the Court shall give directions regarding
(a) the service of documents; and
(b) the role of the intervener, including costs,
rights of appeal and any other matters relating to the procedure to be
followed by the intervener.
|
109. (1) La Cour peut, sur requête, autoriser toute personne
à intervenir dans une instance.
(2) L’avis d’une requête présentée pour obtenir
l’autorisation d’intervenir :
a) précise
les nom et adresse de la personne qui désire intervenir et ceux de son avocat,
le cas échéant;
b)
explique de quelle manière la personne désire participer à l’instance et en
quoi sa participation aidera à la prise d’une décision sur toute question de
fait et de droit se rapportant à l’instance.
(3) La Cour assortit l’autorisation d’intervenir de
directives concernant :
a) la
signification de documents;
b) le rôle
de l’intervenant, notamment en ce qui concerne les dépens, les droits d’appel
et toute autre question relative à la procédure à suivre.
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[4]
The
Respondent argues, along with other points, that the Assessment Authority has
not shown how its participation will assist in the factual or legal issues
related to the proceeding.
[5]
In this
respect, I agree with the Respondent. To the extent that the relevant issues,
as framed by the parties, are addressed, the Assessment Authority has not shown
that it will assist the Court by bringing some different perspective to the
judicial review. The parties obviously can address, and have addressed, these
issues fully and absent “something else”, it is not clear how the Court would
benefit from the Assessment Authority’s participation.
[6]
The
Respondent has objected to what it claims are “new” issues raised by the
Assessment Authority. Quite apart from the general principle that an intervenor
cannot take over a proceeding or make it something other than what the parties have
determined, it is not clear how those issues or the Assessment Authority’s
perspective, assuming relevant, would assist.
[7]
The
Assessment Authority may be interested in the case but that does not equate to
an “interest”. A jurisprudential interest is not sufficient for intervenor
status. (See Canadian Union of Public Employees (Airline Division) v. Canadian
Airlines International Ltd.,
[2000] F.C.J. No. 220 (F.C.A.) (QL))
[8]
The Court
does not wish to isolate itself from relevant matters or necessary
perspectives. Therefore, this motion will be dismissed without prejudice to the
Assessment Authority’s right to file a further intervenor motion which in
particular addresses Rule 109(2)(b) criteria.
ORDER
THIS COURT ORDERS that this motion is dismissed
without prejudice to the Assessment Authority’s right to file a further
intervenor motion which in particular addresses Rule 109(2)(b)
criteria.
“Michael
L. Phelan”
FEDERAL COURT
SOLICITORS OF RECORD
DOCKET: T-215-08
STYLE OF CAUSE: HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNCIPALITY
and
HER
MAJESTY THE QUEEN, as represented by PUBLIC WORKS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES
CANADA
PLACE AND
DATE Motion
in writing considered in Ottawa, Ontario
OF HEARING: pursuant to Rule 369 of the Federal
Courts Rules
REASONS FOR ORDER
AND ORDER: Phelan J.
DATED: September
15, 2008
APPEARANCES:
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Mr. Daniel M.
Campbell, Q.C.
Mr. Joseph E.
Burke
|
FOR THE APPLICANT
|
|
Mr. Reinhold
M. Endres, Q.C.
Mr. Clifford
Soward
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FOR THE RESPONDENT
|
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Ms. Valerie L.
Paul
|
FOR THE PROPOSED INTERVENOR
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SOLICITORS
OF RECORD:
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COX &
PALMER
Barristers
& Solicitors
Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
FOR THE APPLICANT
|
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MR. JOHN H.
SIMS, Q.C.
Deputy
Attorney General of Canada
Halifax, Nova
Scotia
|
FOR THE RESPONDENT
|
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PROPERTY
VALUATION SERVICES CORPORATION
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
|
FOR THE PROPOSED INTERVENOR
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