Levesque v. Wedge, (1977) 14 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 68 (PEICA)

• Judge: Nicholson, C.J., Darby and MacDonald, JJ.
• Case Date: November 10, 1977
• Jurisdiction: Prince Edward Island
• Citations: (1977), 14 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 68 (PEICA)

Levesque v. Wedge (1977), 14 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 68 (PEICA);

    33 A.P.R. 68

MLB headnote and full text

Levesque v. Wedge

Indexed As: Levesque v. Wedge

Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal

Nicholson, C.J., Darby and MacDonald, JJ.

November 10, 1977.

Summary:

This case arose out of the plaintiff's claim against the defendant for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff gratuitous passenger and the defendant driver were returning from an evening of partying and dancing at 3:30 a.m. Neither was feeling the effects of the alcohol drunk, but the defendant was tired, although not drowsy. The defendant without warning fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his vehicle, injuring the plaintiff. The plaintiff brought an action against the defendant for damages.

The Prince Edward Island Supreme Court in a judgment reported 13 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 299; 29 A.P.R. 299, dismissed the plaintiff's action and held that the defendant was not grossly negligent in the circumstances. The plaintiff appealed.

The Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal in a judgment reported 13 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 283; 29 A.P.R. 283, dismissed the appeal and affirmed the judgment of the trial judge. The plaintiff applied for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal allowed the application and granted leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court of Appeal stated that the case was one which ought to be submitted to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Practice - Topic 9090

Appeals - Supreme Court of Canada - Leave to appeal by appeal court - Supreme Court Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. S-19, s. 38 - The plaintiff sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from a decision of the Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal, which affirmed a decision of the Supreme Court that falling asleep at the wheel did not constitute gross negligence - The Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal discussed the considerations and principles of granting leave to the Supreme Court of Canada and held that the case was one which ought to be submitted to the Supreme Court of Canada - See paragraphs 17 to 27.

Cases Noticed:

McCulloch v. Murray, [1942] 2 D.L.R. 179, refd to. [para. 3].

Girling v. Howden, [1949] 3 D.L.R. 622, refd to. [para. 6].

Parent v. LaPointe, [1952] 3 D.L.R. 18, refd to. [para. 6].

Lang and Joseph v. Pollard & Murphy (1957), 9 D.L.R.(2d) 637; 11 D.L.R.(2d) 161, refd to. [para. 6].

Jasper v. Deleau (1967), 59 W.W.R.(N.S.) 24, refd to. [para. 6].

Walker v. Coates (1968), 68 D.L.R.(2d) 436, refd to. [para. 6].

Gunvaldsen v. Seawart (1969), 69 W.W.R.(N.S.) 366, refd to. [para. 6].

Eid v. Dumas (1969), 1 N.B.R.(2d) 445; 5 D.L.R.(3d) 501, refd to. [para. 6].

Brennan v. Sabatier (1970), 16 D.L.R.(3d) 234, refd to. [para. 6].

Ewashko v. Desiatnyk (1973), 35 D.L.R.(3d) 318, refd to. [para. 6].

Wilson v. Enbach (1966), 56 W.W.R.(N.S.) 659, refd to. [para. 6].

Burke v. Perry et al., [1963] S.C.R. 329, refd to. [para. 8].

Goulais v. Restoule (1975), 2 N.R. 153; 48 D.L.R.(3d) 255, refd to. [para. 8].

Jordan v. Coleman (1976), 3 N.R. 502; 57 D.L.R.(3d) 256, refd to. [para. 8].

Jackson v. Millar (1976), 4 N.R. 17; 59 D.L.R.(3d) 246, refd to. [para. 8].

Hoyt et al. v. Grand Lake Development (1977), 16 N.R. 65; 18 N.B.R.(2d) 75; 26 A.P.R. 75, refd to. [para. 8].

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce v. Gulf Transport Ltd. (1971), 1 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 506, refd to. [para. 19].

Act Oils Ltd. v. Pacific Petroleum (1975), 61 D.L.R.(3d) 316, consd. [para. 19].

Royal Trust Co. v. Ford et al. (1970), 13 D.L.R.(3d) 351; 73 W.W.R.(N.S.) 1, appld. [para. 20].

Statutes Noticed:

Highway Traffic Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1974, c. H-6, sect. 275(1) [para. 2].

Supreme Court Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. S-19, sect. 38 [paras. 20, 26]; sect. 41(1) [para. 25]; sect. 64(1) [para. 17].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Laskin, C.J.C., The Role and Functions of Final Appellate Courts (1975), 53 C.B.R. 469, 474 [para. 23].

Counsel:

Gerald R. Foster, Q.C., and Horace B. Carver, for the appellant;

Joseph A. Ghiz, for the respondent.

This case was heard at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, before NICHOLSON, C.J., DARBY and MacDONALD, JJ., of the Prince Edward Island Court of Appeal.

On November 10, 1977, NICHOLSON, C.J., delivered the following judgment for the Court of Appeal: