Goold v. Alberta (Office of the Children's Advocate), 2011 ABCA 63

JudgeHunt, Berger and Slatter, JJ.A.
CourtCourt of Appeal (Alberta)
Case DateNovember 09, 2010
Citations2011 ABCA 63;(2011), 502 A.R. 298 (CA)

Goold v. Alta. (2011), 502 A.R. 298 (CA);

      517 W.A.C. 298

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2011] A.R. TBEd. FE.139

Linda Goold (appellant/applicant) v. Alberta (Office of the Children's Advocate)

(respondent/respondent)

(1001-0053-AC; 2011 ABCA 63)

Indexed As: Goold v. Alberta (Office of the Children's Advocate)

Alberta Court of Appeal

Hunt, Berger and Slatter, JJ.A.

February 23, 2011.

Summary:

The Legal Representation for Children and Youth Service maintained a roster of lawyers eligible to be appointed to represent children. Goold was removed from the roster by the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Manager. Goold appealed her removal to the Child and Youth Advocate who affirmed the decision. Goold applied for judicial review of the decision of the Child and Youth Advocate.

The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench dismissed the application. Goold appealed.

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

Administrative Law - Topic 262

The hearing and decision - Right to a hearing - When right exists - The Legal Representation for Children and Youth Service maintained a roster of lawyers eligible to be appointed to represent children - Goold was removed from the roster by the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Manager - Goold appealed her removal to the Child and Youth Advocate who affirmed the decision - Goold applied for judicial review - The application was dismissed - Goold appealed - The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal - There was no breach of the rules of natural justice in conducting the review of the removal of Goold from the roster - The review process adopted by the Child and Youth Advocate was not unfair, especially since Goold did not object to the procedure and she waived the right to an oral hearing that was offered to her - Slatter, J.A., and Berger, J.A., rendered different opinions on the content of the duty of fairness that might otherwise have been required in this case, particularly with respect to whether an oral hearing was required - See paragraphs 24 to 32, 39 and 41 to 67.

Administrative Law - Topic 2266

Natural justice - The duty of fairness - What constitutes procedural fairness - [See Administrative Law - Topic 262 ].

Administrative Law - Topic 2272

Natural justice - The duty of fairness - Circumstances or powers to which duty applies (incl. extent of duty) - [See Administrative Law - Topic 262 ].

Administrative Law - Topic 2277

Natural justice - The duty of fairness - Waiver - [See Administrative Law - Topic 262 ].

Barristers and Solicitors - Topic 7610

Regulation - General - Independence of the bar - The Legal Representation for Children and Youth Service maintained a roster of lawyers eligible to be appointed to represent children - Goold was removed from the roster by the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Manager - Goold appealed her removal to the Child and Youth Advocate who affirmed the decision - Goold applied for judicial review - The application was dismissed - Goold appealed - She argued that the arbitrary removal of counsel from the roster would have a chilling effect on the independence of counsel - The Alberta Court of Appeal, per Slatter, J.A., stated that "this appeal does not raise any issues of the independence of counsel. The allegations against the appellant were a lack of civility, unprofessionalism, and a refusal to follow established policies. The independence of counsel does not justify any conduct of that nature, should it be established. There is nothing on the record to suggest that the appellant was removed from the roster merely because she was advancing a position in the best interests of children, which was contrary to the views of caseworkers of the best interests of the children. It was the method the appellant used in advocating those positions that was an issue" - See paragraphs 16 to 23.

Infants - Topic 6083

Legal proceedings - Representation of infants - Roster of eligible lawyers (incl. removal from) - The Legal Representation for Children and Youth Service maintained a roster of lawyers eligible to be appointed to represent children - Goold was removed from the roster by the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Manager - The reasons given were complaints that Goold was rude, demeaning and abusive towards court workers, child agencies and caseworkers; a "heated exchange" in the office that was seen as being unprofessional; and that Goold was not willing to abide by certain policies of the Legal Representation Service - Goold appealed her removal to the Child and Youth Advocate who affirmed the decision - Goold applied for judicial review - The application was dismissed - Goold appealed - The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal - The decision of the Child and Youth Advocate was reasonable - See paragraphs 33 to 35, 38 and 68.

Infants - Topic 6083

Legal proceedings - Representation of infants - Roster of eligible lawyers (incl. removal from - [See Administrative Law - Topic 262 ].

Cases Noticed:

New Brunswick (Board of Management) v. Dunsmuir, [2008] 1 S.C.R. 190; 372 N.R. 1; 329 N.B.R.(2d) 1; 844 A.P.R. 1; 2008 SCC 9, refd to. [para. 4].

Dr. Q., Re, [2003] 1 S.C.R. 226; 302 N.R. 34; 179 B.C.A.C. 170; 295 W.A.C. 170; 2003 SCC 19, refd to. [para. 13].

United Nurses of Alberta, Local 115 v. Calgary Health Authority (Foothills Medical Centre) (2004), 339 A.R. 265; 312 W.A.C. 265; 2004 ABCA 7, refd to. [para. 13].

Health Sciences Association (Alta.) et al. v. Provincial Health Authorities (Alta.) et al. (2004), 348 A.R. 361; 321 W.A.C. 361; 2004 ABCA 185, refd to. [para. 13].

Alberta (Minister of Municipal Affairs) v. Municipal Government Board (Alta.) et al. (2002), 312 A.R. 40; 281 W.A.C. 40; 2002 ABCA 199, refd to. [para. 13].

Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 784 v. Board of Education of Edmonton School District No. 7 (2005), 363 A.R. 123; 343 W.A.C. 123; 2005 ABCA 74, refd to. [para. 13].

Conseil de la magistrature (N.-B.) v. Moreau-Bérubé, [2002] 1 S.C.R. 249; 281 N.R. 201; 245 N.B.R.(2d) 201; 636 A.P.R. 201; 2002 SCC 11, refd to. [para. 14].

Canadian Union of Public Employees et al. v. Ontario (Minister of Labour), [2003] 1 S.C.R. 539; 304 N.R. 76; 173 O.A.C. 38; 2003 SCC 29, refd to. [paras. 14, 57].

McLeod et al. v. Alberta Securities Commission et al. (2006), 391 A.R. 121; 377 W.A.C. 121; 61 Alta. L.R.(4th) 201; 2006 ABCA 231, refd to. [para. 14].

Ha v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [2004] 3 F.C.R. 195; 316 N.R. 299; 2004 FCA 49, refd to. [para. 14].

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner v. MacDonald et al. (2009), 255 O.A.C. 376; 3 Admin. L.R.(5th) 278; 2009 ONCA 805, refd to. [para. 14].

Armstrong v. International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, Local Lodge No. 146 et al. (2010), 493 A.R. 259; 502 W.A.C. 259; 2010 ABCA 326, refd to. [para. 14].

Irving Shipbuilding Inc. et al. v. Canada (Attorney General) et al., [2010] 2 F.C.R. 488; 389 N.R. 72; 314 D.L.R.(4th) 340; 2009 FCA 116, refd to. [para. 15].

Ontario Nurses' Association v. Rouge Valley Health System (2008), 302 D.L.R.(4th) 751 (Ont. Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Felderhof (J.B.) (2003), 180 O.A.C. 288; 68 O.R.(3d) 481; 180 C.C.C.(3d) 498 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 22].

Baker v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 817; 243 N.R. 22; 174 D.L.R.(4th) 193, refd to. [paras. 24, 57].

Mobil Oil Canada Ltd. et al. v. Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, [1994] 1 S.C.R. 202; 163 N.R. 27; 115 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 334; 360 A.P.R. 334, refd to. [para. 25].

Allard et al. v. Assessor of Area No. 10 - North Fraser Region et al. (2010), 293 B.C.A.C. 270; 496 W.A.C. 270; 9 B.C.L.R.(5th) 24; 2010 BCCA 437, refd to. [para. 25].

Radhakrishnan v. University of Calgary Faculty Association et al. (2002), 312 A.R. 143; 281 W.A.C. 143; 5 Alta. L.R.(4th) 1; 2002 ABCA 182, refd to. [para. 26].

Violette v. New Brunswick Dental Society (2004), 267 N.B.R.(2d) 205; 702 A.P.R. 205; 2004 NBCA 1, refd to. [para. 26].

Mohammadian v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [2001] 4 F.C. 85; 271 N.R. 91; 2001 FCA 191, refd to. [para. 26].

Hartley v. Del Pero (2010), 487 A.R. 248; 495 W.A.C. 248; 27 Alta. L.R.(5th) 248; 2010 ABCA 182, refd to. [paras. 28, 65].

Ocean Port Hotel Ltd. v. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (B.C.), [2001] 2 S.C.R. 781; 274 N.R. 116; 155 B.C.A.C. 193; 254 W.A.C. 193; 2001 SCC 52, refd to. [para. 28].

Bell Canada v. Canadian Telephone Employees Association et al., [2003] 1 S.C.R. 884; 306 N.R. 34; 2003 SCC 36, refd to. [para. 28].

Ironside et al. v. Alberta Securities Commission (2009), 454 A.R. 285; 455 W.A.C. 285; 2009 ABCA 134, refd to. [para. 29].

R. v. K.G.B., [1993] 1 S.C.R. 740; 148 N.R. 241; 61 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 29].

Murphy v. Dowhaniuk (1986), 32 D.L.R.(4th) 246; 7 B.C.L.R.(2d) 335 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 29].

Everett v. Canada (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) (1994), 169 N.R. 100; 25 Admin. L.R.(2d) 112 (F.C.A.), refd to. [paras. 30, 63].

Cougar Aviation Ltd. v. Canada (Minister of Public Works and Government Services) et al. (2000), 264 N.R. 49; 26 Admin. L.R.(3d) 30 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 30].

Khan v. University of Ottawa (1997), 101 O.A.C. 241; 34 O.R.(3d) 535; 148 D.L.R.(4th) 577 (C.A.), refd to. [paras. 30, 59].

R. v. Neil (D.L.), [2002] 3 S.C.R. 631; 294 N.R. 201; 317 A.R. 73; 284 W.A.C. 73, refd to. [para. 48].

Cardinal and Oswald v. Kent Institution (Director), [1985] 2 S.C.R. 643; 63 N.R. 353; 24 D.L.R.(4th) 44, refd to. [para. 54].

Knight v. Board of Education of Indian Head School Division No. 19, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 653; 106 N.R. 17; 83 Sask.R. 81, refd to. [para. 55].

Nicholson v. Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Board of Commissioners of Police and Ontario (Attorney General), [1979] 1 S.C.R. 311; 23 N.R. 410, refd to. [para. 55].

Webb v. Ontario Housing Corp. (1978), 22 O.R.(2d) 257 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 55].

Hutfield v. Fort Saskatchewan General Hospital District No. 98 (1986), 74 A.R. 180; 49 Alta. L.R.(2d) 256 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 55].

ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. v. Energy and Utilities Board (Alta.), [2005] A.R. Uned. 107; 48 Alta. L.R.(4th) 1; 2005 ABCA 226, leave to appeal denied (2006), 350 N.R. 199; 401 A.R. 398; 391 W.A.C. 398 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 57].

Wachtler v. College of Physicians and Surgeons (Alta.) (2008), 448 A.R. 317; 447 W.A.C. 317; 2009 ABCA 130, refd to. [para. 59].

Singh v. Minister of Employment and Immigration, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 177; 58 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 62].

Masciangelo v. Spensieri (1990), 1 C.P.C.(3d) 124 (Ont. H.C.), refd to. [para. 62].

Nuosci v. Canada (Attorney General) (1994), 167 N.R. 153 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 63].

Walker v. Walker (2001), 281 A.R. 138; 248 W.A.C. 138; 2001 ABCA 106, refd to. [para. 64].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Advocates' Society, Principles of Civility for Advocates (2009), generally [para. 22].

Gordon, Robert, The Independence of Lawyers (1988), 68 Boston U.L. Rev. 1, pp. 6 to 10 [para. 47].

Jones, David Phillip, and de Villars, Anne S., Principles of Administrative Law (5th Ed. 2009), pp. 281, 282 [para. 28].

Law Society of Upper Canada's Task Force on the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Bar, generally [paras. 46, 47].

Counsel:

Linda Goold was self-represented;

A. Loparco, for the respondent.

This appeal was heard on November 9, 2010, before Hunt, Berger and Slatter, JJ.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal filed a memorandum of judgment on February 23, 2011, including the following opinions:

Slatter, J.A. - see paragraphs 1 to 36;

Hunt, J.A. - see paragraphs 37 to 40;

Berger, J.A. - see paragraphs 41 to 69.

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    ...has been met, in that sense fairness is reviewed on a standard of correctness: Goold v Alberta (Office of the Children’s Advocate), 2011 ABCA 63 at para 14; Nortel Networks Inc v Calgary (City), 2008 ABCA 370 at paras 32 and 39; and Pierce at para 36. [76] The Vavilov reasonableness presump......
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6 cases
  • Malton v. Attia,
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • May 6, 2013
    ...to. [para. 203, footnote 92]. R. v. Cunningham - see Cunningham v. Lilles et al. Goold v. Alberta (Office of the Children's Advocate) (2011), 502 A.R. 298; 517 W.A.C. 298; 2011 ABCA 63, refd to. [para. 204, footnote Moose Mountain Buffalo Ranch v. Greene Farms Drilling Ltd. (2010), 474 A.R.......
  • Cold Lake First Nations v. Alberta (Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation), (2013) 566 A.R. 259
    • Canada
    • Court of Appeal (Alberta)
    • June 6, 2013
    ...302 N.R. 34; 179 B.C.A.C. 170; 295 W.A.C. 170; 2003 SCC 19, refd to. [para. 9]. Goold v. Alberta (Office of the Children's Advocate) (2011), 502 A.R. 298; 517 W.A.C. 298; 2011 ABCA 63, refd to. [para. R. v. Sheppard (C.), [2002] 1 S.C.R. 869; 284 N.R. 342; 211 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 50; 633 A......
  • Lewis v. Alberta (Transportation Safety Board) et al., 2014 ABQB 412
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    • April 11, 2014
    ...Services (Alta.) (2008), 459 A.R. 348; 2008 ABQB 573, refd to. [para. 38]. Goold v. Alberta (Office of the Children's Advocate) (2011), 502 A.R. 298; 517 W.A.C. 298; 2011 ABCA 63, refd to. [para. Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses' Union v. Newfoundland and Labrador (Treasury Board) et al. (2......
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    ...has been met, in that sense fairness is reviewed on a standard of correctness: Goold v Alberta (Office of the Children’s Advocate), 2011 ABCA 63 at para 14; Nortel Networks Inc v Calgary (City), 2008 ABCA 370 at paras 32 and 39; and Pierce at para 36. [76] The Vavilov reasonableness presump......
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