Gould v. Yukon Order of Pioneers, Dawson Lodge No. 1 et al., (1996) 72 B.C.A.C. 1 (SCC)

• Judge: Gonthier, Cory, McLachlin, Iacobucci and Major, JJ.
• Court: Supreme Court of Canada
• Case Date: March 21, 1996
• Jurisdiction: Canada (Federal)
• Citations: (1996), 72 B.C.A.C. 1 (SCC)

Gould v. Yukon Order of Pioneers (1996), 72 B.C.A.C. 1 (SCC);

    119 W.A.C. 1

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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Yukon Human Rights Commission and Madeleine Gould (appellants) v. Yukon Order of Pioneers, Dawson Lodge Number 1 and Walter Groner (respondents) and Yukon Status of Women Council (intervenor)

(23584)

Indexed As: Gould v. Yukon Order of Pioneers, Dawson Lodge No. 1 et al.

Supreme Court of Canada

Lamer, C.J.C., La Forest, L'Heureux-Dubé, Sopinka,

Gonthier, Cory, McLachlin, Iacobucci and Major, JJ.

March 21, 1996.

Summary:

The Yukon Order of Pioneers was a male-only organization that, inter alia, collected and preserved historical literature and materials, making them available to the public. Gould was denied membership in the Order because she was female. Gould com­plained of discrimination contrary to s. 8(a) of the Yukon Human Rights Act. A Board of Adjudication ruled that denying member­ship to women constituted prohibited dis­crimination under s. 8(a). The Order ap­pealed.

The Yukon Supreme Court, in a judgment reported 87 D.L.R.(4th) 618, allowed the appeal. There was no prohibited discrimi­nation contrary to s. 8(a). Gould appealed.

The Yukon Court of Appeal, in a judg­ment reported 100 D.L.R.(4th) 596, dis­missed the appeal. Gould appealed.

The Supreme Court of Canada, L'Heureux-Dubé and McLachlin, JJ., dis­senting, dismissed the appeal. Male-only membership discriminated against women on the basis of sex (s. 6(f)), but was not pro­hibited discrimination under s. 8(a). Since the service offered to the public within the meaning of s. 8(a) was neither membership nor the collection process, but only the end product, and since this was provided to the public without discrimination, it followed that there was no prohibited discrimination under s. 8(a).

Administrative Law - Topic 9118

Board and tribunals - Judicial review - Curial deference to decisions of tribunals - A Board of Adjudication under the Yukon Human Rights Act ruled that a male-only organization discriminated against a female contrary to s. 8(a) of the Act by denying her membership on the basis of her sex - The Supreme Court of Canada stated that the interpretation of s. 8(a) was a general question of law for which curial deference was not to be afforded to the Board - The standard of review by an appellate court was one of correctness - See paragraphs 3, 45 to 48.

Civil Rights - Topic 2

Interpretation of human rights legislation - The Supreme Court of Canada stated that "on the subject of the appropriate inter­pretative approach for human rights stat­utes, the need to approach the legislation purposively, giving it a fair, large and liberal interpretation with a view to ad­vancing its objects, is well-accepted. But it is also well established that the wording of the statute is an important part of this process. ... A true purposive approach looks at the wording of the statute itself, with a view to discerning and advancing the legislature's intent." - See paragraphs 5 to 7.

Civil Rights - Topic 964

Discrimination - Facilities and services customarily available to public - Public service or facility - What constitutes - The Yukon Order of Pioneers denied membership to females - The Order's primary objectives were social, historical and cultural, with its paramount concern being the welfare of its members - The Order, inter alia, collected and preserved historical literature and materials, making them available to the public - Section 8(a) of the Yukon Human Rights Act pro­hibited discrimination "when offering or providing services ... to the public" - The Supreme Court of Canada held that male-only membership discriminated against women on the basis of sex (s. 6(f)), but was not prohibited discrimination under s. 8(a) - Making the collected information available to the public was the only "ser­vice" offered to the public - Since that was done without discrimination, there was no prohibited discrimination under s. 8(a) - The collection and recording of information, and membership in the Order per se, did not constitute a "service" to the public - See paragraphs 1 to 19.

Civil Rights - Topic 964

Discrimination - Facilities and services customarily available to public - Public service or facility - What constitutes - The Yukon Order of Pioneers denied membership to females - The Order's primary objectives were social, historical and cultural, with its paramount concern being the welfare of its members - The Order, inter alia, collected and preserved historical literature and materials, making them available to the public - Section 8(c) of the Yukon Human Rights Act pro­hibited discrimination "in connection with any aspect of membership in or represen­tation by any trade union, trade as­sociation, occupational association or pro­fessional association" - The Supreme Court of Canada stated that "s. 8(c) is suggestive of a legislative intent to treat membership and services [s. 8(a)] sepa­rately" - The court stated that "although s. 8(c) may itself be subject to a large and liberal interpretation, such that the types of organizations listed might be interpreted generously, it does not extend to the Order. If organizations are conceptualized as ranging across a spectrum from the purely economic to the purely social, with business, trade, and professional as­sociations near the economic end and religious and cultural groups near the social end, the Order is close to the latter." - See paragraphs 11 to 15.

Civil Rights - Topic 1029

Discrimination - Membership in organi­zation or association - Exclusion based on sex - [See both Civil Rights - Topic 964 ].

Cases Noticed:

University of British Columbia v. Berg, [1993] 2 S.C.R. 353; 152 N.R. 99; 26 B.C.A.C. 241; 44 W.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 1].

Pezim v. British Columbia Securities Commission et al., [1994] 2 S.C.R. 557; 168 N.R. 321; 46 B.C.A.C. 1; 75 W.A.C. 1; [1994] 7 W.W.R. 1, refd to. [para. 3].

Superintendent of Brokers v. Pezim - see Pezim v. British Columbia Securities Commission et al.

Canada (Attorney General) v. Mossop, [1993] 1 S.C.R. 554; 149 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 4].

Workmen's Compensation Board v. Greer, [1975] 1 S.C.R. 347; 1 N.R. 99; 7 N.B.R.(2d) 171, refd to. [para. 4].

Ontario Human Rights Commission and O'Malley v. Simpson Sears, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 536; 64 N.R. 161; 12 O.A.C. 241; 23 D.L.R.(4th) 321; 52 O.R.(2d) 799; 9 C.C.E.L. 185; 17 Admin. L.R. 89; 86 C.L.L.C. 17,002, refd to. [para. 49].

Robichaud v. Canada (Treasury Board), [1987] 2 S.C.R. 84; 75 N.R. 303, refd to. [para. 49].

Rosin v. Canada, [1991] 1 F.C. 391; 131 N.R. 295 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 52].

Gay Alliance Toward Equality v. Van­couver Sun; Human Rights Com­mission (B.C.) v. Vancouver Sun, [1979] 2 S.C.R. 435; 27 N.R. 117, refd to. [para. 59].

Anvari v. Canada (Employment and Im­migration Commission) (1991), 14 C.H.R.R. D/292 (Can. Hum. Rts. Trib.), refd to. [para. 59].

Rogers v. Newfoundland (Minister of Culture, Recreation and Youth) (1991), 93 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 121; 292 A.P.R. 121; 15 C.H.R.R. D/375 (Nfld. T.D.), refd to. [para. 59].

Singh v. Royal Canadian Legion, Jasper Place (Alta.), Branch No. 255 (1990), 11 C.H.R.R. D/357 (Alta. Bd. Inq.), refd to. [para. 60].

Roberts v. United States Jaycees (1984), 468 U.S. 609, refd to. [para. 64].

Board of Directors of Rotary International v. Rotary Club (1987), 481 U.S. 537, refd to. [para. 66].

New York State Club Association v. New York City (1988), 487 U.S. 1 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 66].

Brossard (Town) v. Commission des droits de la personne du Québec and Laurin, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 279; 88 N.R. 321; 18 Q.A.C. 164, refd to. [para. 87].

Syndicat national des employés de la Commission scolaire régionale de l'Outaouais (CSN) v. Union des em­ployés de service, local 298 (FTQ), [1988] 2 S.C.R. 1048; 95 N.R. 161; 24 Q.A.C. 244, refd to. [para. 114].

U.E.S., Local 298 (FTQ) v. Bibeault - see Syndicat national des employés de la Commission scolaire regionale de l'Outaouais (CSN) v. Union des em­ployés de service, local 298 (FTQ).

Bibeault - see Syndicat national des em­ployés de la Commission scolaire regionale de l'Outaouais (CSN) v. Union des employés de service, local 298 (FTQ).

International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (U.A.W.), Local 720 v. Volvo Canada Ltd., [1980] 1 S.C.R. 178; 27 N.R. 502; 33 N.S.R.(2d) 22; 57 A.P.R. 22, refd to. [para. 114].

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 579 v. Bradco Construction Ltd., [1993] 2 S.C.R. 316; 153 N.R. 81; 106 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 140; 334 A.P.R. 140, refd to. [para. 114].

Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 963 v. New Brunswick Liquor Corp., [1979] 2 S.C.R. 227; 26 N.R. 341; 25 N.B.R.(2d) 237; 51 A.P.R. 237; 97 D.L.R.(3d) 417; 79 C.L.L.C. 14,209, refd to. [para. 115].

Canada (Attorney General) v. Public Ser­vice Alliance of Canada, [1993] 1 S.C.R. 941; 150 N.R. 161, refd to. [para. 115].

Commission scolaire régionale de Chambly v. Syndicat de l'enseignement de Champlain et autres, [1994] 2 S.C.R. 525; 169 N.R. 281; 62 Q.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 115].

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Canada Labour Relations Board et al., [1995] 1 S.C.R. 157; 177 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 115].

Paccar of Canada Ltd. v. Canadian As­sociation of Industrial, Mechanical and Allied Workers, Local 14, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 983; 102 N.R. 1; 62 D.L.R.(4th) 437; 89 C.L.L.C. 14,050; [1989] 6 W.W.R. 673; 40 Admin. L.R. 181, refd to. [para. 117].

Dayco (Canada) Ltd. v. National Auto­mobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers Union of Canada (CAW - Canada), [1993] 2 S.C.R. 230; 152 N.R. 1; 63 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 117].

Human Rights Commission (Ont.) and Bates v. Zurich Insurance Co., [1992] 2 S.C.R. 321; 138 N.R. 1; 55 O.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 117].

Large v. Stratford (City) et al., [1995] 3 S.C.R. 733; 188 N.R. 124; 86 O.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 117].

National Corn Growers' Association et al. v. Canadian Import Tribunal, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 1324; 114 N.R. 81; 74 D.L.R.(4th) 449; 45 Admin. L.R. 161, refd to. [para. 118].

Dickason and Human Rights Commission (Alta.) v. University of Alberta, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 1103; 141 N.R. 1; 127 A.R. 241; 20 W.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 119].

Bhadauria v. Seneca College, [1981] 2 S.C.R. 181; 37 N.R. 455, refd to. [para. 123].

Edwards v. Bairstow, [1956] A.C. 14 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 126].

R. v. Lampard, [1968] 2 O.R. 470 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 126].

Insurance Corp. of British Columbia v. Heerspink and Director, Human Rights Code, [1982] 2 S.C.R. 145; 43 N.R. 168, refd to. [para. 129].

Brennan v. Canada and Robichaud, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 84; 75 N.R. 303, refd to. [para. 130].

Action Travail des Femmes v. Canadian National Railway Co. et al., [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1114; 76 N.R. 161, refd to. [para. 131].

Jenkins v. Workers' Compensation Board (P.E.I.) (1986), 61 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 206; 185 A.P.R. 206; 31 D.L.R.(4th) 536 (P.E.I.C.A.), refd to. [para. 141].

Winnipeg School Division No. 1 v. Mac­Arthur (1982), 14 Man.R.(2d) 386; 133 D.L.R.(3d) 305 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 141].

Human Rights Commission (Ont.) v. Ontario Rural Softball Association (1979), 26 O.R.(2d) 134 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 141].

Peters and Human Rights Commission (Sask.) v. University Hospital Board (1983), 23 Sask.R. 123 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 142].

Nowegijick v. Minister of National Reve­nue, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 29; 46 N.R. 41; 83 D.T.C. 5041; 144 D.L.R.(3d) 193, refd to. [para. 150].

Statutes Noticed:

Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, R.S.Q. 1977, c. C-12, sect. 12 [para. 53].

Fair Practices Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. F-2, sect. 4(1) [para. 53].

Human Rights Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. H-6, sect. 5 [para. 53].

Human Rights Act, R.S.N.B. 1973, c. H-11, sect. 5(1) [para. 53].

Human Rights Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 214, sect. 4 [para. 53].

Human Rights Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. H-12, sect. 2(1) [para. 53].

Human Rights Act, R.S.Y. 1986 (Supp.), c. 11, sect. 1(1) [para. 131]; sect. 6(f) [para. 108]; sect. 8 [para. 11]; sect. 10(1) [para. 20].

Human Rights Act, S.B.C. 1984, c. 22, sect. 3 [para. 53].

Human Rights Code, R.S.N. 1990, c. H-14, sect. 6(1) [para. 53].

Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H-19, sect. 1 [para. 54].

Human Rights Code, S.M. 1987-88, c. 45; C.C.S.M., c. H-175, sect. 13(1) [para. 53].

Human Rights Code, S.S. 1979, c. S-24, sect. 12(1) [para. 53].

Individual's Rights Protection Act, R.S.A. 1980, c. I-2, sect. 3 [para. 53].

Interpretation Act, R.S.Y. 1986, c. 93, sect. 10 [para. 131].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Concise Oxford Dictionary (8th Ed. 1990) [para. 140].

Evans et al., Administrative Law (3rd Ed. 1989), p. 414 [para. 118].

Laframboise, Celia, and West, Leigh, The Case of All-Male Clubs: Freedom to Associate or Licence to Discriminate (1987-1988), 2 C.J.W.L. 335, p. 337 [para. 162].

Marshall, William P., Discrimination and the Right to Association (1986), 81 N.W.U.L. Rev. 68, generally [para. 166].

Nouveau Petit Robert (1994) [para. 140].

Yukon Hansard (Feb. 12, 1987), p. 715 [para. 123].

Counsel:

Mary Eberts and Sharon Greene, for the appellants;

J.J. Camp, Q.C., and Richard A. Buchan, for the respondents;

Gwen Brodsky and Nitya Iyer, for the intervenor.

Solicitors of Record:

Eberts, Symes & Street, Toronto, Ontario, for the appellants;

Anton, Campion, Macdonald & Phillips, Whitehorse, Northwest Territories, for the respondents;

B.C. Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, for the intervenor.

This appeal was heard on October 3, 1995, before Lamer, C.J.C., La Forest, L'Heureux-Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier, Cory, McLachlin, Iacobucci and Major, JJ., of the Supreme Court of Canada.

The judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada was delivered in both official lan­guages on March 21, 1996, and the follow­ing opinions were filed:

Iacobucci, J. (Lamer, C.J.C., Sopinka, Gonthier, Cory and Major, JJ., con­curring) - see paragraphs 1 to 19;

La Forest, J. - see paragraphs 20 to 95;

McLachlin, J., dissenting - see para­graphs 96 to 105;

L'Heureux-Dubé, J., dissenting - see paragraphs 106 to 176.