Ontario Film and Video Appreciation Society and Ontario Board of Censors, Re, (1984) 2 O.A.C. 388 (CA)

JudgeMacKinnon, A.C.J.O., Arnup, Dubin, Houlden and Tarnopolsky, JJ.A.
CourtCourt of Appeal (Ontario)
Case DateFebruary 06, 1984
JurisdictionOntario
Citations(1984), 2 O.A.C. 388 (CA)

Film and Video Appreciation Soc., Re (1984), 2 O.A.C. 388 (CA)

MLB headnote and full text

Re Ontario Film and Video Appreciation Society and Ontario Board of Censors

(No. 545/83)

Indexed As: Ontario Film and Video Appreciation Society and Ontario Board of Censors, Re

Ontario Court of Appeal

MacKinnon, A.C.J.O., Arnup, Dubin, Houlden and Tarnopolsky, JJ.A.

February 6, 1984.

Summary:

The Ontario Film and Video Appreciation Society submitted several films to the Ontario Board of Censors for approval for public showings. The Board approved some of the films for exhibition on a limited basis, but rejected others. The Society applied to quash the Board's decision. The issue concerned the validity of the censorship provisions of the Theatres Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 498.

The Ontario Divisional Court, in a decision reported in 41 O.R.(2d) 583, allowed the application in part. The court quashed one of the Board's decisions. The court held that s. 3(2)(a) of the Theatres Act was of no force or effect insofar as it limited freedom of expression guaranteed in s. 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Board of Censors appealed.

The Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed that s. 3(2)(a) contravened s. 2(b) of the Charter. The Court of Appeal held that the section was ultra vires.

Civil Rights - Topic 1843

Freedom of speech or expression - Limitations on - Censorship - Section 3(2)(a) of the Theatres Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 498, authorized the Ontario Board of Censors to censor any film and, with the submittor's approval, to cut unapproved portions from any film - The Ontario Court of Appeal affirmed that s. 3(2)(a) imposed a limitation on the freedom of expression guaranteed in s. 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - The court declared that s. 3(2)(a) was ultra vires - See paragraphs 4 to 5.

Cases Noticed:

Federal Republic of Germany v. Rauca (1983), 41 O.R.(2d) 225, refd to. [para. 6].

Re Southam Inc. and The Queen (No. 1) (1983), 41 O.R.(2d) 113, refd to. [para. 6].

Statutes Noticed:

Theatres Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 498, sect. 3(2)(a) [paras. 2 to 5]; sect. 35, sect. 38 [paras. 4, 6].

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 1 [paras. 2, 5 to 6]; sect. 2(b) [paras. 2, 4].

Counsel:

Julian Polika, Q.C., for the appellant;

Lynn King and Charles Campbell, for the respondent;

Kenneth P. Swan and Erika J. Abner, for the intervenor, Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

This appeal was heard before MacKinnon, A.C.J.O., Arnup, Dubin, Houlden and Tarnopolsky, JJ.A., of the Ontario Court of Appeal. The decision of the Court of Appeal was delivered by MacKinnon, A.C.J.O., and released on February 6, 1984.

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