Horseman v. Horse Lake First Nation, 2002 ABQB 765

• Judge: Watson, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: July 30, 2002
• Citations: 2002 ABQB 765;(2002), 323 A.R. 81 (QB)

Horseman v. Horse Lake First Nation (2002), 323 A.R. 81 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2002] A.R. TBEd. AU.064

Betty Ann Horseman (plaintiff/respondent) v. Horse Lake First Nation, as represented by its Chief and Council (defendant/applicant)

(Action No. 0103-06251; 2002 ABQB 765)

Indexed As: Horseman v. Horse Lake First Nation

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial District of Edmonton

Watson, J.

August 19, 2002.

Summary:

The defendant Indian band applied to have the plaintiff's action struck out, asserting that the subject matter of the action belonged to the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division, as relating to the plaintiff's membership in the defendant. Alternatively, the action should be struck as disclosing no cause of action.

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

Courts - Topic 4005

Federal Court of Canada - Jurisdiction - General - The defendant Indian band applied under Queen's Bench Rule 129 to strike the plaintiff's action, asserting that the Federal Court had exclusive original jurisdiction to grant the relief sought by the plaintiff pursuant to ss. 18 and 18.1 of the Federal Court Act - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench dismissed the application - The three part test for determining if the subject matter was given to the Federal Court was not met - The defendant had not established that it was plain and obvious from the pleadings that the issues raised by the statement of claim were not issues of contract, tort, statutory breach or fiduciary relationship law within the vires of the province and were excluded from the court by operation of the Federal Court Act - It was not plain and obvious that ss. 18 and 18.1 governed - Secondly, investment of federal law was not clear - Thirdly, it was not plain and obvious that a "law of Canada" was involved such as to exclude the court's jurisdiction - See paragraphs 60 to 100.

Courts - Topic 4021

Federal Court of Canada - Jurisdiction - Trial Division - Relief against federal boards, commissions or tribunals - [See Courts - Topic 4005 ].

Practice - Topic 2200

Pleadings - Striking out pleadings - General principles - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench stated that "... evidence may be admissible on a motion under [Queen's Bench] Rule 129(1)(d) to have an action struck as an abuse of process, but that there may also be cases where such a motion can be determined on the face of the pleadings. Similarly, I conclude that evidence may be admissible on a motion under Rule 129(1)(d) characterized as abuse of process but claiming lack of jurisdiction in the Court, although there may also be cases where such a motion can be determined on the face of the pleadings ... Nonetheless, in evaluating evidence or even if deciding if it is required, the motion judge should ... be mindful of, and faithful to, the key principles for application of Rule 129" - The court summarized the applicable principles - See paragraphs 33 and 34.

Practice - Topic 2208

Pleadings - Striking out pleadings - Application for - Evidentiary limitations - [See Practice - Topic 2200 ].

Practice - Topic 2241

Pleadings - Striking out pleadings - Grounds - Lack of jurisdiction - [See Courts - Topic 4005 and Practice - Topic 2200 ].

Cases Noticed:

Boudreault v. Barrett et al. (1995), 174 A.R. 71; 102 W.A.C. 71; 33 Alta. L.R.(3d) 60 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 9, footnote 1].

Young Estate et al. v. TransAlta Utilities Corp. et al., [1998] 4 W.W.R. 1; 209 A.R. 89; 160 W.A.C. 89; 55 Alta. L.R.(3d) 183 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 9, footnote 2].

Berg v. Workers' Compensation Board (Alta.) (1998), 233 A.R. 372 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 9, footnote 3].

V.A.H. v. Lynch et al. (2000), 255 A.R. 359; 220 W.A.C. 359; 184 D.L.R.(4th) 658 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 9, footnote 4].

Edwards v. Law Society of Upper Canada (2001), 277 N.R. 145; 153 O.A.C. 388; 206 D.L.R.(4th) 211 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 16, footnote 6].

Cooper v. Hobart et al. - Cooper v. Registrar of Mortgage Brokers (B.C.) et al.

Cooper v. Registrar of Mortgage Brokers (B.C.) et al. (2001), 277 N.R. 113; 160 B.C.A.C. 268; 261 W.A.C. 268 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 16, footnote 7].

Tottrup et al. v. Lund et al. (2000), 255 A.R. 204; 220 W.A.C. 204 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 23, footnote 8].

Cerny v. Canadian Industries Ltd. et al., [1972] 6 W.W.R. 88; 30 D.L.R.(3d) 462 (Alta. C.A.), refd to. [para. 23, footnote 9].

Decock et al. v. Alberta et al. (2000), 255 A.R. 234; 220 W.A.C. 234; 79 Alta. L.R.(3d) 11 (C.A.), leave to appeal granted (2000), 266 N.R. 200; 293 A.R. 388; 257 W.A.C. 388 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 29, footnote 10].

Osborne v. Pinno and Milligan (1997), 208 A.R. 363 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 29, footnote 11].

Goldsmith v. Sperrings Ltd., [1977] 2 All E.R. 556 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 30, footnote 12].

Speed Seal Products Ltd. v. Paddington, [1986] 1 All E.R. 91; [1985] 1 W.L.R. 1327 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 30, footnote 13].

Couglan et al. v. Westminer Canada Holdings Ltd. et al. (1994), 127 N.S.R.(2d) 241; 355 A.P.R. 241 (C.A.), affing. in part (1993), 120 N.S.R.(2d) 91; 332 A.P.R. 91 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 30, footnote 14].

Cardinal v. Calliou et al. (1999), 247 A.R. 95 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 31, footnote 15].

Whitehead v. Taber (1983), 46 A.R. 14 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 32, footnote 16].

Simons v. Carr & Co. et al. (1996), 189 A.R. 87 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 32, footnote 17].

Pratt v. University of Lethbridge et al. (2001), 281 A.R. 393; 248 W.A.C. 393 (C.A.), affing. [1999] A.R. Uned. 687 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 34, footnote 19].

Fullowka et al. v. Whitford et al., [1997] N.W.T.R. 1; 147 D.L.R.(4th) 531 (N.W.T.C.A.), leave to appeal refused [1997] 2 S.C.R. xvi; 222 N.R. 320; 147 D.L.R.(4th) 531, refd to. [para. 34, footnote 20].

Stout Estate et al. v. Golinowski Estate et al. (2002), 299 A.R. 13; 266 W.A.C. 13 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 34, footnote 23].

R. v. Boyd, Hastie, Spear, Saunby et al. - see Boyd et al. v. Army Prosecuting Authority et al.

Boyd et al. v. Army Prosecuting Authority et al., [2002] N.R. Uned. 146 (H.L.), [2001] Q.B. 804 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 42, footnote 25].

United Petroleum Distributors (Calgary) Ltd. v. 548311 Alberta Ltd. et al. (1998), 216 A.R. 116; 175 W.A.C. 116 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 48, footnote 26].

Carey Canada Inc. et al. v. Hunt et al. - see Hunt v. T & N plc et al.

Hunt v. T & N plc et al., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 959; 117 N.R. 321; 4 C.C.L.T.(2d) 1; 43 C.P.C.(2d) 105; 49 B.C.L.R.(2d) 273; 74 D.L.R.(4th) 321; [1990] 6 W.W.R. 385, refd to. [para. 48, footnote 27].

Scalera v. Non-Marine Underwriters, Lloyd's of London - see Scalera v. Lloyd's of London.

Scalera v. Lloyd's of London, [2000] 1 S.C.R. 551; 253 N.R. 1; 135 B.C.A.C. 161; 221 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 52, footnote 28].

Monenco Ltd. et al. v. Commonwealth Insurance Co. et al., [2001] 2 S.C.R. 699; 274 N.R. 84; 155 B.C.A.C. 161; 254 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 52, footnote 29].

J.A.S. v. Gross et al. (2002), 299 A.R. 111; 266 W.A.C. 111 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 52, footnote 30].

NKI Holdings Ltd. et al. v. Edmonton (City) et al. (2000), 269 A.R. 130 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 52, footnote 31].

Bailey v. Reynolds (1977), 7 A.R. 425 (Dist. Ct.), refd to. [para. 53, footnote 33].

Korte et al. v. Cormie et al. (1996), 178 A.R. 199; 110 W.A.C. 199 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 53, footnote 34].

Pazder v. Yellowhead Motor Inn Ltd., [1991] A.J. No. 1255 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 53, footnote 35].

Ward et al. v. Samson Cree Nation No. 444 et al. (1999), 247 N.R. 254 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 57, footnote 37].

Roasting v. Lee et al. (1998), 222 A.R. 234 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 58, footnote 38].

Temple v. Edmonton (City) and Schnablegger (1990), 105 A.R. 77 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 58, footnote 39].

K.V.R. Electric Ltd. v. Edgar et al. (1994), 163 A.R. 147 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 58, footnote 40].

J.P. v. MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. - see MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. v. Simpson et al.

MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. v. Simpson et al., [1995] 4 S.C.R. 725; 191 N.R. 260; 68 B.C.A.C. 161; 112 W.A.C. 161; [1996] 2 W.W.R. 1; 103 C.C.C.(3d) 262, refd to. [para. 61, footnote 42].

Weber v. Ontario Hydro, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 929; 183 N.R. 241; 82 O.A.C. 321; 125 D.L.R.(4th) 583, refd to. [para. 62, footnote 44].

Adrien v. Ontario (Minister of Labour) - see Rizzo & Rizzo Shoes Ltd. (Bankrupt), Re.

Rizzo & Rizzo Shoes Ltd. (Bankrupt), Re, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 27; 221 N.R. 241; 106 O.A.C. 1; 154 D.L.R.(4th) 193; 36 O.R.(3d) 418n; 50 C.B.R.(3d) 163; 33 C.C.E.L.(2d) 173; 98 C.L.L.C. 210-006, refd to. [para. 66, footnote 46].

R. v. J.H. (2002), 155 O.A.C. 146; 161 C.C.C.(3d) 392 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 67, footnote 48].

Miida Electronics Inc. v. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. and ITO-International Terminal Operators Ltd., [1986] 1 S.C.R. 752; 68 N.R. 241, refd to. [para. 68, footnote 50].

Clark v. Canadian National Railway Co. and New Brunswick, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 680; 89 N.R. 81; 89 N.B.R.(2d) 116; 226 A.P.R. 116, refd to. [para. 69, footnote 51].

Roberts v. Dick and Canada - see Wewayakum Indian Band v. Canada and Wewayakai Indian Band.

Wewayakum Indian Band v. Canada and Wewayakai Indian Band, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 322; 92 N.R. 241; 25 F.T.R. 161, refd to. [para. 69, footnote 52].

Bell Canada v. Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (Qué.) and Bilodeau et al., [1988] 1 S.C.R. 749; 85 N.R. 295; 15 Q.A.C. 217, refd to. [para. 70, footnote 53].

Pearson v. Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (1997), 200 A.R. 380; 146 W.A.C. 380 (C.A.), leave to appeal granted (1998), 227 N.R. 89; 219 A.R. 165; 179 W.A.C. 165 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 72, footnote 54].

King v. Gull Bay Indian Band (1983), 22 A.W.C.S.(2d) 39 (Ont. Dist. Ct.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 56].

Springhill Lumber Ltd. v. Lake St. Martin Indian Band et al., [1986] 2 C.N.L.R. 179; 36 Man.R.(2d) 231 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 57].

Clow Darling Ltd. v. Big Trout Lake Band et al., [1990] 4 C.N.L.R. 7; 70 O.R.(2d) 56 (Dist. Ct.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 58].

Nelson House Indian Band et al. v. Young et al. (1996), 112 Man.R.(2d) 168 (Q.B. Master), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 59].

Bannon v. Pervais et al. (1989), 68 O.R.(2d) 276 (Dist. Ct.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 60].

Mintuck v. Valley River Band No. 63A, [1976] 4 W.W.R. 543 (Man. Q.B.), affd. [1977] 2 W.W.R. 309; 75 D.L.R.(3d) 589; 2 C.C.L.T. 1 (Man. C.A.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 61].

St. Regis Indian Band Council v. Public Service Alliance of Canada and Canada Labour Relations Board, [1982] 2 S.C.R. 72; 44 N.R. 136; [1982] 4 C.N.L.R. 94, refd to. [para. 75, footnote 62].

Mitchell and Milton Management Ltd. v. Peguis Indian Band et al., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 85; 110 N.R. 241; 67 Man.R.(2d) 81, refd to. [para. 75, footnote 63].

Chippewas of Sarnia Band v. Canada (Attorney General) et al. (2000), 139 O.A.C. 201; 195 D.L.R.(4th) 135; 51 O.R.(3d) 641 (C.A.), leave to appeal refused (2001), 284 N.R. 193; 158 O.A.C. 199 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 64].

Ermineskin v. Ermineskin Indian Band Council (1995), 96 F.T.R. 181 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 77, footnote 65].

Canatonquin et al. v. Gabriel et al., [1980] 2 F.C. 792; [1981] 4 C.N.L.R. 61 (F.C.A.), affing. [1978] 1 F.C. 124 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 77, footnote 66].

Twigg v. Blood Indian Band - see Twigg v. Fox et al.

Twigg v. Fox et al., [1989] 1 C.N.L.R. 180; 94 A.R. 1 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 77, footnote 67].

Canada v. Prytula; Canada v. Rhine, [1980] 2 S.C.R. 442; 34 N.R. 290; 116 D.L.R.(3d) 385, refd to. [para. 77, footnote 69].

Scrimbitt v. Sakimay Indian Band, [2000] 1 C.N.L.R. 205; 178 F.T.R. 210 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 77, footnote 70].

Canada (Attorney General) v. Nalleweg (1998), 223 A.R. 89; 183 W.A.C. 89 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 79, footnote 71].

Stephens Estate et al. v. Minister of National Revenue et al. (1982), 40 N.R. 620 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 80, footnote 72].

Cardinal v. Calliou et al. (1999), 171 F.T.R. 275 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 84, footnote 73].

Cardinal v. Calliou et al. (1999), 177 F.T.R. 280 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 84, footnote 74].

R. v. Miller, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 613; 63 N.R. 321; 14 O.A.C. 33; 23 C.C.C.(3d) 97; 49 C.R.(3d) 1; 16 Admin. L.R. 184; 24 D.L.R.(4th) 9, refd to. [para. 86, footnote 75].

Canadian Human Rights Commission v. Canadian Liberty Net et al., [1998] 1 S.C.R. 626; 224 N.R. 241, refd to. [para. 88, footnote 76].

Jabour v. Law Society of British Columbia et al., [1982] 2 S.C.R. 307; 43 N.R. 451; [1982] 5 W.W.R. 289; 137 D.L.R.(3d) 1; 66 C.P.R.(2d) 1; 37 B.C.L.R. 145; 19 B.L.R. 234, refd to. [para. 88, footnote 77].

Shield v. Siksika Nation Indian Council Band No. 430 et al. (1992), 159 A.R. 241 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 93, footnote 78].

Shubenacadie Indian Band v. Canada (Attorney General) et al. (2001), 202 F.T.R. 30 (T.D.), affd. (2002), 291 N.R. 393 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 94, footnote 79].

Conseil de la Première Nation Malécite de Viger v. Trembley et al., [2001] 2 C.N.L.R. 43 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 97, footnote 80].

Ballantyne v. Grand Rapids Nation et al. (2000), 197 F.T.R. 184 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 98, footnote 81].

Canada Labour Relations Board and Canada (Attorney General) v. Paul L'Anglais Inc. et al., [1983] 1 S.C.R. 147; 47 N.R. 351; 146 D.L.R.(3d) 202, refd to. [para. 98, footnote 82].

Paul v. Kingsclear Indian Band et al. (1997), 137 F.T.R. 275 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 101, footnote 83].

Statutes Noticed:

Rules of Court (Alta.), rule 129 [para. 13].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Driedger, Elmer A., Construction of Statutes (2nd Ed. 1983), p. 87 [para. 66, footnote 47].

Driedger, Elmer A., Construction of Statutes (3rd Ed. 1994), pp. 131 [para. 67, footnotes 48, 49]; 163, 164, 176, 177 [para. 67, footnote 48].

Jacob, I.H., The Inherent Jurisdiction of the Court (1970), 23 Curr. Legal Probs. 23, generally [para. 61, footnote 41].

Linden, Allen M., Canadian Tort Law (6th Ed. 1998), pp. 99, 217 to 225 [para. 55, footnote 36].

Counsel:

Heather L. Treacy and Mary Wyatt Sindlinger (Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP), for the defendant/applicant;

Derek A. Cranna (Field Atkinson Perraton LLP), for the plaintiff/respondent.

Watson, J., of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial District of Edmonton, heard this application on July 30, 2002, received supplementary submissions on August 12, 2002, and released the following reasons for judgment on August 19, 2002.