Aubry v. Éditions Vice-Versa inc. et al., (1998) 224 N.R. 321 (SCC)

• Judge: Lamer, C.J.C, L'Heureux-Dubé, Gonthier, Cory, Iacobucci, Major and Bastarache, JJ.
• Court: Supreme Court of Canada
• Case Date: Thursday April 09, 1998
• Jurisdiction: Canada (Federal)
• Citations: (1998), 224 N.R. 321 (SCC);224 NR 321;EYB 1998-05646;[1997] CarswellQue 1500;AZ-98111049;45 CCLT (2d) 119;[1998] SCJ No 30 (QL);[1998] 1 SCR 591;JE 98-878;78 CPR (3d) 289;157 DLR (4th) 577;50 CRR (2d) 225;1998 CanLII 817 (SCC)

Aubry v. Éditions Vice-Versa inc. (1998), 224 N.R. 321 (SCC)

MLB headnote and full text

[French language version follows English language version]

[La version française vient à la suite de la version anglaise]

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Temp. Cite: [1998] N.R. TBEd. AP.004

Les Éditions Vice-Versa inc. et Gilbert Duclos (appelants) c. Pascale Claude Aubry (intimée) et Société Radio Canada (intervenante)

(No. 25579)

Indexed As: Aubry v. Éditions Vice-Versa inc. et al.

Supreme Court of Canada

Lamer, C.J.C, L'Heureux-Dubé, Gonthier, Cory, Iacobucci, Major and

Bastarache, JJ.

April 9, 1998.

Summary:

In 1988, Duclos took a photograph of Aubry sitting on a step in front of a building on Ste-Catherine Street in Montreal. The photograph was taken in a public place. It was published, without Aubry's consent, by Les Éditions Vice-Versa inc. in an issue of Vice Versa, a magazine dedicated to the arts. 722 copies of this issue were sold. The photograph was drawn to Aubry's attention by a friend, who purchased a copy of the magazine. Aubry, who was 17 at the time, sued Duclos and Les Éditions Vice-Versa inc. for unauthorized taking and publishing of the photograph. She claimed $10,000 in compensatory and exemplary damages.

The Court of Québec, in a judgment re­ported [1991] R.R.A. 421, allowed the action and ordered the defendants jointly and sev­erally to pay Aubry $2,000 in damages. The defendants appealed.

The Quebec Court of Appeal, Baudouin, J.A., dissenting, in a decision reported [1996] R.J.Q. 2137; 141 D.L.R.(4th) 683; 71 C.P.R.(3d) 59, dismissed the appeal. The defendants appealed again.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal.

Civil Rights - Topic 1803

Freedom of speech or expression - Gen­eral principles - Freedom of expression - Scope of - The Supreme Court of Canada held that freedom of expression, guaranteed by s. 3 of Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, included freedom of artistic expression - See para­graph 18.

Civil Rights - Topic 1858.1

Freedom of speech or expression - Limi­tations on - Protection of privacy - [See Civil Rights - Topic 7125 ].

Civil Rights - Topic 7125

Federal or provincial legislation - Particu­lar rights - Right to privacy - Aubry suc­cessfully sued a photographer and a pub­lisher for damages for the unauthorized publication of a photograph of herself in an arts magazine - The action concerned the balancing between Aubry's right to privacy and the defendants' freedom of expression under Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms - The Supreme Court of Canada held: (1) the right to privacy included the right to one's image; (2) "If it is accepted that publishing the artist's work is an exercise of freedom of expression, [Aubry's] right not to con­sent must also be taken into consider­ation"; and (3) Aubry's right to protection of her image here was more important than the defendants' right to publish her photo­graph without her permission - See para­graphs 12 to 28, 64 to 71.

Civil Rights - Topic 7185

Federal or provincial legislation - Rem­edies - Damages - Aubry sued a photo­grapher and a publisher for damages for the unauthorized publication of a photo­graph of herself in an arts magazine - The action concerned the balancing between Aubry's right to privacy and the defen­dants' freedom of expression under Que­bec's Charter of Human Rights and Free­doms - The Supreme Court of Canada held that the case raised a problem of civil law and had to be resolved according to that law: "The infringement of a right guaranteed by the [Quebec Charter] gives rise, under s. 49 para. 1, to an action for moral and material prejudice. Such an action is subject to the civil law principles of recovery. As a result, the traditional elements of liability, namely fault, damage and causal connection, must be esta­blished" - See paragraphs 12, 29 to 38, 46 to 63.

Damage Awards - Topic 647

Quebec Responsibility - Injury to the person - Invasion or breach of privacy - [See Quebec Responsibility - Topic 2833 ].

Damages - Topic 1532

General damages - Elements of general damages - Mental distress or emotional upset - [See Quebec Responsibility - Topic 2833 ].

Damages - Topic 1681

General damages - Evidence - General - [See Quebec Responsibility - Topic 2833 ].

Quebec Procedure - Topic 7025

Costs - Entitlement - Additional costs - Aubry successfully sued a photographer and a publisher for damages for the unau­thorized publication of a photograph of herself in an arts magazine - The C.B.C. intervened - Aubry sought solicitor-client costs - The Supreme Court of Canada denied her request - The court stated that in Quebec, the awarding of costs was governed exclusively by the Code of Civil Procedure and the various tariffs - In the present case, the applicable provisions were art. 477 of the Code and s. 15 of the Tariff of judicial fees of advocates - The court held: "The Quebec courts have not interpreted the above provisions as author­izing them to award additional costs to punish bad faith or abuse of process, as is the case in the common law jurisdictions" - See paragraphs 39 to 44.

Quebec Procedure - Topic 7025

Costs - Entitlement - Additional costs - Aubry successfully sued a photographer and a publisher for damages for the unau­thorized publication of a photograph of herself in an arts magazine - The C.B.C. intervened - Aubry sought solicitor-client costs - She argued that the media "more or less took the initiative in the proceed­ings in order to obtain a decision estab­lishing their own rights in the practice of the professions of photographer and jour­nalist, and that this justifie[d] an additional award of costs" even though she was still eligible for legal aid - The publisher replied that Aubry should have included such costs in her claim for damages - The Supreme Court of Canada denied Aubry's request and rejected the publisher's argu­ment - See paragraphs 39 to 44.

Quebec Responsibility - Topic 2123

Damages - Wrongs giving rise to com­pensation - Violation of Charter Rights (Que.) - [See Civil Rights - Topic 7185 ].

Quebec Responsibility - Topic 2833

Damages - Moral damages - Invasion of privacy - Evidence - Aubry sued a photo­grapher and a publisher for damages for the unauthorized publication of a photo­graph of herself in an arts magazine - The photograph was taken and published when Aubry was 17 - The complete evidence respecting damage was: "Q. Did that photo cause you any difficulties? R. Some diffi­culties; people laughed at me. Q. People, who are these people? R. My friends, the people at school. Q. The people at school? R. Uh-huh. Q. I have no further questions, Your Honour." - The trial judge accepted this evidence opining that it illustrated the discomfort and upset that Aubry felt when the photograph was published - The trial judge awarded $2,000 - The Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the decision - See paragraphs 29 to 37.

Quebec Responsibility - Topic 2840

Damages - Moral damages - Invasion of privacy - Awards - [See Quebec Res­pon­sibility - Topic 2833 ].

Cases Noticed:

Hodgkinson v. Simms et al., [1994] 3 S.C.R. 377; 171 N.R. 245; 49 B.C.A.C. 1; 80 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 9].

Laurentide Motels Ltd. et al. v. Beauport (Ville) et al., [1989] 1 S.C.R. 705; 94 N.R. 1; 23 Q.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 9].

St-Jacques v. Fédération des employées et employés de services publics Inc. (C.S.N.) et al., [1996] 2 S.C.R. 345; 198 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 12].

Augustus v. Gosset, [1996] 3 S.C.R. 268; 202 N.R. 241, refd to. [para. 12].

Godbout v. Longueuil (Ville), [1997] 3 R.C.S. 844; 219 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 14].

R. v. Dyment, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 417; 89 N.R. 249; 73 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 13; 229 A.P.R. 13; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 244; 10 M.V.R.(2d) 1; 66 C.R.(3d) 348; 55 D.L.R.(4th) 503, refd to. [para. 14].

Field v. United Amusement Corp., [1971] C.S. 283 (Qué.), refd to. [para. 16].

R. v. Keegstra, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 697; 117 N.R. 1; 114 A.R. 81; 1 C.R.(4th) 129; 77 Alta. L.R.(2d) 193; [1991] 2 W.W.R. 1; 61 C.C.C.(3d) 1; 3 C.R.R.(2d) 193, refd to. [para. 18].

Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Québec (Procureur gé­néral), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; 94 N.R. 167; 24 Q.A.C. 2; 58 D.L.R.(4th) 577; 25 C.P.R.(3d) 417, refd to. [para. 18].

Chaussure Brown's Inc. et al. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1988] 2 S.C.R. 712; 90 N.R. 84; 19 Q.A.C. 69, refd to. [para. 18].

Ford v. Québec (Procureur général) - see Chaussure Brown's Inc. et al. v. Québec (Procureur général).

R. v. Butler and McCord, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452; 134 N.R. 81; 78 Man.R.(2d) 1; 16 W.A.C. 1; 70 C.C.C.(3d) 129; 11 C.R.(4th) 137, refd to. [para. 18].

Estate of Presley v. Russen (1981), 513 F.Supp. 1339 (D.N.J.), refd to. [para. 24].

Current Audio Inc. v. RCA Corp. (1972), 337 N.Y.S. 949 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 24].

Fraser v. Public Service Staff Relations Board, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 455; 63 N.R. 161, refd to. [para. 25].

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Dagenais et al., [1994] 3 S.C.R. 835; 175 N.R. 1; 76 O.A.C. 81; 94 C.C.C.(3d) 289; 25 C.R.R.(2d) 1; 120 D.L.R.(4th) 12, refd to. [para. 25].

Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto and Manning, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 184 N.R. 1; 84 O.A.C. 1; 126 D.L.R.(4th) 129, refd to. [para. 25].

Moises v. Canadian Newspaper Co., [1997] 1 W.W.R. 337; 76 B.C.A.C. 263; 125 W.A.C. 263 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 25].

R. v. CKOY Ltd., [1979] 1 S.C.R. 2; 24 N.R. 254, refd to. [para. 26].

R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295; 58 N.R. 81; 60 A.R. 161; [1985] 3 W.W.R. 481; 18 C.C.C.(3d) 385, refd to. [para. 27].

Kowarski v. Québec (Procureur général), [1988] R.D.J. 339 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 39].

Droit de la famille - 1777, [1994] R.J.Q. 1493 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 42].

Banque Canadienne Impériale de Com­merce v. Aztec Iron Corp., [1978] C.S. 266 (Que.), refd to. [para. 43].

Berth[25iaume v. Réno-Dépôt Inc., [1996] R.J.Q. 1323 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 43].

R. v. Sanelli, Duarte and Fasciano, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 30; 103 N.R. 86; 37 O.A.C. 322; 53 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 52].

R. v. Wong et al., [1990] 3 S.C.R. 36; 120 N.R. 34; 45 O.A.C. 250, refd to. [para. 52].

R. v. Video­flicks et al., [1986] 2 S.C.R. 713; 71 N.R. 161; 19 O.A.C. 239; 55 C.R.(3d) 193; 35 D.L.R.(4th) 1; 30 C.C.C.(3d) 385; 28 C.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 59].

Edwards Books and Art Ltd. v. R. - see R. v. Videoflicks et al.

R. v. Edwards Books and Art Ltd. - see R. v. Videoflicks et al.

R. v. Salituro, [1991] 3 S.C.R. 654; 131 N.R. 161; 50 O.A.C. 125; 68 C.C.C.(3d) 289, consd. [para. 60].

Deschamps v. Renault Canada (1977), 18 C. de D. 937 (Que. C.S.), refd to. [para. 66].

Société Radio-Canada v. Radio Sept-Îles inc., [1994] R.J.Q. 1811 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 67].

Journal de Montréal v. Syndicat des com­munications graphiques, local 41-M et autres, [1994] R.D.J. 456; 64 Q.A.C. 237 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 68].

Towner v. Constructions H. Rodrigue Inc., [1991] R.J.Q. 381 (C.S.), refd to. [para. 68].

Southam Inc. (Division The Gazette) v. Valiquette, [1997] R.J.Q. 30 (C.A.), consd. [para. 69].

Rebeiro v. Shawinigan Chemicals (1969) Ltd., [1973] C.S. 389 (Que.), refd to. [para. 75].

Statutes Noticed:

Barreau du Québec, Act respecting the, Regulations (Qué.), Tariff of Judicial Fees of Advocates, R.R.Q. 1981, c. B-1, rule 13, art. 15 [para. 41].

Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, R.S.Q. 1977, c. C-12, sect. 3, sect. 4, sect. 5, sect. 9.1, sect. 49 [para. 11].

Civil Code of Québec, L.Q. 1991, c. 64, art. 36 [para. 15].

Code of Civil Procedure, R.S.Q. 1977, c. C-25, art. 477 [para. 40].

Tariff of Judicial Fees of Advocates - see Barreau du Québec, Act respecting the.

Authors and Works Noticed:

Caron, Madeleine, Le Code civil québé­cois, instrument de protection des droits et libertés de la personne (1978), 56 Can. Bar Rev. 197, pp. 199-200 [para. 47].

Chevrette, François, La disposition limitative de la Charte des droits et li­bertés de la personne: le dit et le non-dit (1987), 21 R.J.T. 461, pp. 463-468 [para. 62].

Deleury, Édith, et Goubau, Dominique, Le droit des personnes physiques, 2e éd., 1997, pp. 168-170 [para. 14].

Glenn, Hugh Patrick, Le droit au respect de la vie privée (1979), 39 R. du B. 879, pp. 880-881 [para. 47].

Kayser, Pierre, La protection de la vie privée, 2e éd., 1990, pp. 222-266 [para. 79].

Nerson, R., Les droits extrapatrimoniaux, 1939, p. 384 [paras. 32, 79].

Perret, Louis, De l'impact de la Charte des droits et libertés de la personne sur le droit civil des contrats et de la responsa­bilité au Québec (1981), 12 R.G.D. 121, p. 124 [para. 61].

Potvin, Louise, La personne et la protec­tion de son image: étude comparée des droits québécois, français et de la com­mon law anglaise, 1991, pp. 33 [para. 14]; 272 [paras. 32, 79]; 274 [para. 32].

Québec, Assemblée nationale, Journal des débats, Commissions parlementaires, 3e sess., 32e lég., Commission permanente de la justice, 16 décembre 1982, no 230, p. B-11609 [para. 62].

Ravanas, J., La protection des personnes contre la réalisation et la publication de leur image, 1978, pp. 388-389, no 347 [para. 32].

Vallières, Nicole, La presse et la diffama­tion, 1985, p. 90 [para. 70].

Counsel:

Guylaine Bachand, for the appellant, Les Éditions Vice-Versa inc.;

Viviane De Kinder, for the appellant, Duclos;

Nathalie Charbonneau and Yves Archam­bault, for the respondent, Aubry;

Marc-André Blanchard and Marie-Phi­lippe Bouchard, for the intervener, Société Radio-Canada.

Solicitors of Record:

McCarthy, Tétrault, Montreal, Quebec, for the appellant, Les Éditions Vice-versa inc.;

Viviane De Kinder, Montreal, Quebec, for the appellant, Duclos;

Charbonneau & Archambault, Montreal, Quebec, for the respondent, Aubry;

Lafleur, Brown, Montreal, Quebec, for the intervener, Société Radio-Canada.

This appeal was heard on December 8, 1997, by Lamer, C.J.C., L'Heureux-Dubé, Gonthier, Cory, Iacobucci, Major and Basta­rache, JJ., of the Supreme Court of Canada.

The judgment of the Supreme Court was delivered in both official languages on April 9, 1998 and the following reasons were filed:

L'Heureux-Dubé and Bastarache, JJ. (Gonthier, Cory and Iacobucci, JJ., concurring) - see paragraphs 1 to 44;

Lamer, C.J.C., dissenting - see para­g­raphs 45 to 81;

Major, J., dissenting - see paragraph 82.