Canada (Information Commissioner) v. Canada (Attorney General), 2003 FCA 226

Date: 20030514

Docket: A-126-02

A-127-02

Citation: 2003 FCA 226

CORAM:        RICHARD C.J.

NOËL J.A.

SEXTON J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER OF CANADA

                                                                                                                                                       Appellant

                                                                                 and

                                            THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA

and JANICE COCHRANE

                                                                                                                                               Respondents

                                               Heard at Ottawa, Ontario, on May 14, 2003.

                       Judgment delivered from the Bench at Ottawa, Ontario, on May 14, 2003.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT BY:                                                           NOËL J.A.

Date: 20030514

Docket: A-126-02

A-127-02

Citation: 2003 FCA 226

CORAM:        RICHARD C.J.

NOËL J.A.

SEXTON J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER OF CANADA

                                                                                                                                                       Appellant

                                                                                 and

                                            THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA

and JANICE COCHRANE

                                                                                                                                               Respondents

                                       REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

Delivered from the Bench at Ottawa, Ontario, on May 14, 2003

NOËL J.A.

[1]                 At the opening of the hearing, counsel for the respondents brought a motion for the dismissal of the appeals on the basis that the issue between the parties had become moot.

[2]                 After having considered the representations of the respective parties, we are satisfied that the present appeals are indeed moot, and as the underlying issue, which involves the validity of two subpoenas, is essentially fact driven we are not satisfied that this Court should exercise its discretion to hear the appeals.

[3]                 The appeals will accordingly be dismissed. No order is made as to costs.

                "Marc Noël"                   

J.A.

FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKETS:A-126-02 and A-127-02

STYLE OF CAUSE: The Information Commissioner of Canada and The Attorney General of Canada and Janice Cochrane

PLACE OF HEARING:Ottawa, Ontario

DATE OF HEARING:May 14, 2003

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Richard C.J., Noël, Sexton JJ.A.)

RENDERED FROM THE BENCH BY: Noël J.A.

APPEARANCES:

Mr. Michael Phelan

Mr. Daniel Bruent

Mr. Marc-Aurèle Racicot FOR THE APPELLANT

Mr. Alain PréfontaineFOR THE RESPONDENTS

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Ogilvy Renault

Ottawa, Ontario

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

Ottawa, Ontario FOR THE APPELLANT

Mr. Morris Rosenberg

Deputy Attorney General of Canada FOR THE RESPONDENTS