Docket: T-1866-16
Citation: 2019 FC 352
Toronto, Ontario, March 21, 2019
PRESENT: The Honourable Madam Justice Heneghan
| BETWEEN:
|
| MINISTER OF NATIONAL REVENUE
|
| Applicant
|
| and
|
| DARRIN GRAY
and
619947 NB INC.
|
| Respondents
|
ORDER AND REASONS
[1]
By Order (the “Order”
) dated May 29, 2018, Mr. Darrin Gray (the “Respondent”
) was found to be in contempt of the Order of the Court dated December 15, 2016 (the “Compliance Order”
). That Order was sought by the Minister of National Revenue (the “Applicant”
) pursuant to the provisions of the Income Tax Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.) (the “Act”
). The Compliance Order required the Respondent to provide specified documents. He failed to do so.
[2]
The Order and Reasons were served upon the Respondent, according to the affidavit of service dated July 14, 2018 and sworn to by Mr. Guy Badcock, process server.
[3]
The Order dated May 29, 2018 provided the sentencing hearing would take place at the Federal Court in St. John’s on September 27, 2018.
[4]
At the commencement of the hearing, the Court usher called out the name of the Respondent in the precincts of the Court located at 354 Water Street, St. John’s, NL. There was no response; the Respondent did not respond and did not appear at the hearing
[5]
The Respondent was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations of contempt. He chose neither to attend the show-cause hearing nor to avail of the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses called on behalf of the Minister. He was not obliged to testify himself and no adverse findings are drawn from his choice not to do so.
[6]
The Minister seeks a fine in the amount of $3,000.00, together with costs in the amount of $5,399.08, as set out in a draft Bill of Costs that was presented at the hearing. The Respondent did not request solicitor and client costs. The costs address taxable services and legal fees in the amount of $2,240.00 and disbursements in the amount of $3,159.08. The taxable services include the amount of $420.00 for assessment of costs. This amount will be removed since the issue of costs will be addressed now.
[7]
The principles of sentencing in respect of a finding of contempt were reviewed by the Court in Canada (Minister of National Revenue) v. Marshall (2006), 294 F.T.R. 297. The Court said the following at paragraph 16:
To summarize, the factors relevant to determining a sentence in contempt proceedings are:
i. The primary purpose of imposing sanctions is to ensure compliance with orders of the court. Specific and general deterrence are important to ensure continued public confidence in the administration of justice;
ii. Proportionality of sentencing requires striking a balance between enforcing the law and what the Court has called “temperance of justice”;
iii. Aggravating factors include the objective gravity of the contemptuous conduct, the subjective gravity of the conduct (i.e. whether the conduct was a technical breach or a flagrant act with full knowledge of its unlawfulness), and whether the offender has repeatedly breached orders of the Court; and
iv. Mitigating factors might include good faith attempts to comply (even after the breach), apologize or accept responsibility, or whether the breach is a first offence.
[8]
In my opinion, the primary sentencing principle to be kept in mind is that of deterrence. Inherent in that principle is respect for the processes of the Court, including its Orders.
[9]
The Respondent chose not to participate in the sentencing hearing, after due service upon him of the Order of May 29, 2018 and with notice of the date of the sentencing hearing.
[10]
Disobedience of a Court Order is a serious matter. In Marshall, supra, the Court noted that “specific deterrence”
was required to “ensure that the respondent does not again breach the orders of this Court”
.
[11]
The same applies in the present case.
[12]
There is no evidence of prior non-compliance by the Respondent with any Order of the Court or indeed, with any prior request by the Minister.
[13]
There is no evidence that the Respondent has been previously found to be in contempt of a Court Order.
[14]
In the circumstances, then, I am satisfied that a fine should be imposed upon the Respondent, as a sanction for his disobedience of the Order of the Court made on December 15, 2016.
[15]
As noted above, the Minister seeks a fine in the amount of $3,000.00. That amount seems appropriate and a fine in the amount of $3,000.00 is imposed upon the Respondent.
[16]
Pursuant to the Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106 (the “Rules”
), Rule 400(1), costs lie in the full discretion of the Court.
[17]
The Minister seeks recovery of costs in the amount of $2,240.00, including the amount of $420.00 for assessment of costs. The amount for taxable services will be reduced by this amount since the costs will be assessed by the Court, subject to the comments below.
[18]
The disbursements, in the amount of $3,159.08, include witness fees in respect of Kelly MacKinnon, Guy Badcock and Mike Carroll. The disbursements also include a charge for Stephen Kennedy’s Bailiff Service in the amount of $1,092.50.
[19]
No supporting documents were provided to support the witness fees, including travel, for Ms. MacKinnon nor for the services of Stephen Kennedy Bailiff Service.
[20]
Recovery of the travel expenses of Ms. MacKinnon for her attendance on November 16, 2017 is appropriate, but not for her attendance on August 16, 2017.
[21]
The matter did not proceed on August 16, 2017 due to a defect in service upon the Respondent. Expenses incurred by the Minister for any travel of Ms. MacKinnon in August 2017 should not be assessed against the Respondent.
[22]
Costs will be allowed for the travel expenses of Ms. MacKinnon upon production of supporting documentation.
[23]
The fees claimed in respect of Stephen Kennedy Bailiff Service will be allowed upon production of the invoice or invoices in support.
[24]
Disbursements will be allowed now in the amount of $564.46 and a further Order will issue in respect of travel expenses of Ms. MacKinnon and Stephen Kennedy Bailiff Services.
[25]
An amended Order will issue in respect of costs once the supporting documents are provided.
[26]
Costs for the taxable services are allowed in the amount of $1,820.00 together with disbursements in the amount of $564.46. The travel costs of Ms. MacKinnon and the service fees of Stephen Kennedy’s Bailiff Service, totalling $2,594.62, will be assessed upon production of the supporting invoices and a further Order will issue in that regard.
[27]
The amounts claimed in respect of the services of Mr. Guy Badcock and Mr. Mike Carroll are reasonable, and will be allowed.
[28]
The Respondent has failed to comply with the terms of the Compliance Order. Notwithstanding the finding of contempt made in the Order of May 29, 2018, the terms of the Compliance Order remain in effect.
[29]
Failure by the Respondent to comply with the Compliance Order within thirty days of service of this Order upon him will result in further consequences, including imprisonment for a period of 30 days, such imprisonment to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed by this Order.
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