R. v. P. (J.), [1993] 1 SCR 469

R. v. P. (J.), [1993] 1 S.C.R. 469

P. (J.)                                                                                                  Appellant

v.

Her Majesty The Queen                                                                   Respondent

Indexed as:  R. v. P. (J.)

File No.:  22901.

1993:  February 24.

Present:  Lamer C.J. and La Forest, L'Heureux‑Dubé, Gonthier, Cory, McLachlin and Iacobucci JJ.

on appeal from the court of appeal for quebec

                   Criminal law ‑‑ Evidence ‑‑ Children ‑‑ Exceptions to hearsay rule ‑‑ Capacity of children to testify ‑‑ Whether trial judge erred in failing to inquire into three‑year‑old child's capacity to testify before admitting mother's hearsay evidence ‑‑ Whether conviction should nonetheless be upheld ‑‑ Criminal Code, R.S.C., 1985, c. C‑46, s. 686(1) (b)(iii).

Statutes and Regulations Cited

Criminal Code , R.S.C., 1985, c. C‑46 , s. 686(1) (b)(iii).

                   APPEAL from a judgment of the Quebec Court of Appeal (1992), 13 C.R. (4th) 79, 74 C.C.C. (3d) 276, dismissing the accused's appeal from his conviction by Judge Morier on a charge of sexual assault.  Appeal dismissed.

                   Richard Shadley and Jean Villeneuve, for the appellant.

                   Lori Renée Weitzmann, for the respondent.

//McLachlin J.//

                   The judgment of the Court was delivered orally by

                   McLachlin J. ‑‑ This is an appeal as of right.  Assuming without deciding that the trial judge erred in failing to inquire into the capacity of the child to testify, we are all of the view that the evidence is such that this is a proper case for the application of the provision in s. 686(1)(b)(iii) of the Criminal Code .

                   Judgment accordingly.

                   Solicitors for the appellant:  Shadley, Melançon & Boro, Montréal.

                   Solicitor for the respondent:  Lori Renée Weitzmann, Montréal.