Paul et al. v. Vancouver International Airport Authority, [2000] B.C.T.C. 153 (SC)

• Judge: Stromberg-Stein, J.
• Court: Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
• Case Date: March 02, 2000
• Jurisdiction: British Columbia
• Citations: [2000] B.C.T.C. 153 (SC);2000 BCSC 341

Paul v. Airport Authority, [2000] B.C.T.C. 153 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2000] B.C.T.C. TBEd. AP.002

Christopher Paul and S-8002 Holdings Ltd. (plaintiffs) v. Vancouver International Airport Authority (defendant)

(C964759; 2000 BCSC 341)

Indexed As: Paul et al. v. Vancouver International Airport Authority

British Columbia Supreme Court

Vancouver

Stromberg-Stein, J.

March 2, 2000.

Summary:

The plaintiff believed he came up with the novel and unique idea of building a pub and restaurant adjacent to a dilapidated Harbour Air seaplane terminal on Sea Island, which was under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver International Airport Authority. However, Harbour Air already had long-standing plans to build a new terminal with a pub and restaurant, which they did. The plaintiff conceded that his project was no longer economically viable. The plaintiff claimed that the Airport Authority wronged him morally and legally by withdrawing its support of his concept while permitting Harbour Air to proceed with their project, thereby shutting him out. The plaintiff sued for damages. The issues were (1) was there a contract between the plaintiff and the Airport Authority which was breached; (2) did equitable estoppel give rise to a cause of action and damages; (3) was the Airport Authority guilty of negligence or negligent misrepresentation; (4) was the Airport Authority guilty of breach of public office; (5) was there a breach of confidence; and (6) was the plaintiff entitled to restitution on a quantum meruit basis for wasted time and expenses.

The British Columbia Supreme Court dismissed the action. Although the Airport Authority was considering the plaintiff's proposal, there was never any commitment or contractual intent. There was no contract, no equitable estoppel, no negligence or negligent misrepresentation, no breach of public officer, no breach of confidence and no entitlement to restitution on a quantum meruit basis.

Contracts - Topic 7

General principles - General - What constitutes an implied contract - See paragraphs 59 to 69.

Contracts - Topic 1106

Formation of contract - General principles - Duty to negotiate in good faith - See paragraph 102.

Contracts - Topic 1465

Formation of contract - Intention - Intention to create a legal relationship - See paragraphs 59 to 69.

Equity - Topic 3902

Fiduciary or confidential relationships - Breach of confidence - What constitutes - See paragraphs 115 to 120.

Estoppel - Topic 1324

Estoppel in pais (by conduct) - Acquiescence - Proprietary estoppel - See paragraphs 70 to 91.

Evidence - Topic 2401

Special modes of proof - Presumptions - Specific presumptions - Inference from failure to call or adduce available evidence - See paragraph 123.

Fraud and Misrepresentation - Topic 2508

Misrepresentation - General principles - Negligent misrepresentation - See paragraphs 92 to 102.

Restitution - Topic 784

Benefit acquired from the plaintiff - Recovery based on quantum meruit - Work performed or goods provided - See paragraphs 121 to 122.

Torts - Topic 77

Negligence - Duty of care - Relationship required to raise duty of care - See paragraphs 92 to 102.

Torts - Topic 9162

Duty of care - Particular relationships - Claims against public officials, authorities or boards - Misfeasance in or abuse of public office - See paragraphs 103 to 114.

Cases Noticed:

Zelmer et al. v. Victor Projects Ltd. et al. (1997), 90 B.C.A.C. 302; 147 W.A.C. 302; 147 D.L.R.(4th) 216 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 70].

Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd. v. Maher (1988), 164 C.L.R. 387 (Aust. H.C.), refd to. [para. 72].

Crabb v. Arun District Council, [1975] 3 All E.R. 865 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 72].

Amalgamated Investment Ltd. v. Texas Commerce Ltd., [1981] 3 All E.R. 577 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 72].

J.T. Developments Ltd. v. Quinn (1991), 62 P. & C.R. 33 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 72].

Pickard v. Sears (1837), 112 All E.R. 179, refd to. [para. 76].

Lawson v. Utan Enterprises Ltd. (1979), 10 B.C.L.R. 163 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 76].

Royal Bank v. Green, [1935] 2 D.L.R. 724 (N.S.C.A.), refd to. [para. 76].

Ewing v. Dominion Bank (1904), 35 S.C.R. 133, refd to. [para. 76].

Tudale Explorations Ltd. v. Bruce (1978), 88 D.L.R.(3d) 584 (Ont. C.J.), refd to. [para. 77].

Conwest Exploration v. Letain, [1964] S.C.R. 20; 41 D.L.R.(2d) 198, refd to. [para. 77].

Canadian Superior Oil Ltd. et al. v. Paddon-Hughes Development Co. et al., [1970] S.C.R. 932; 12 D.L.R.(3d) 247, refd to. [para. 78].

Western Fish Products Ltd. v. Penwith District Council, [1981] 2 All E.R. 204 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 79].

Flello et al. v. Baird et al. (1999), 122 B.C.A.C. 96; 200 W.A.C. 96; 67 B.C.L.R.(3d) 293 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 79].

Salvation Army Ltd. v. West Yorkshire M.C.C. (1974), 1 P. & C.R. 179 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 79].

Ellis v. Eddy Holding Ltd. (1996), 7 R.P.R.(3d) 70 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 79].

Stiles v. Tod Mountain Development Co. (1992), 88 D.L.R.(4th) 735 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 79].

Hastings Minor Hockey Association v. Pacific National Exhibition (1981), 32 B.C.L.R. 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 80].

Easterbrook v. Canada (Attorney General), [1931] S.C.R. 210, refd to. [para. 80].

Martel Building Ltd. v. Canada (1997), 129 F.T.R. 249 (T.D.), revd. (1998), 229 N.R. 187; 163 D.L.R.(4th) 504 (F.C.A.), dist. [para. 94].

Queen (D.J.) v. Cognos Inc., [1993] 1 S.C.R. 87; 147 N.R. 169; 60 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 97].

Powder Mountain Resorts Ltd. et al. v. British Columbia et al., [1999] 11 W.W.R. 168; 19 B.C.T.C. 241 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 101].

First National Properties Ltd. v. Highlands (District) et al. (1999), 21 B.C.T.C. 290 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 104].

Francoeur et al. v. Canada (1994), 78 F.T.R. 109 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 104].

Bourguin S.A. et al. v. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, [1985] 3 All E.R. 585 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 105].

Stenner v. British Columbia Securities Commission et al. (1996), 82 B.C.A.C. 124; 133 W.A.C. 124; 141 D.L.R.(4th) 122 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 105].

Ichi Canada Ltd. v. Palmquist et al., [1997] B.C.J. No. 335 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 105].

Kripps et al. v. Touche Ross & Co. (1990), 48 B.C.L.R.(2d) 171 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 105].

Nielsen v. Kamloops (City) and Hughes, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 2; 54 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 105].

Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121, refd to. [para. 105].

Nelles v. Ontario et al., [1989] 2 S.C.R. 170; 98 N.R. 321; 35 O.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 105].

Owsley v. Ontario (1983), 34 C.P.C. 96 (Ont. H.C.), refd to. [para. 105].

Chhabra v. Minister of National Revenue (1989), 26 F.T.R. 288 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 105].

International Corona Resources Ltd. v. LAC Minerals Ltd., [1989] 2 S.C.R. 574; 101 N.R. 239; 36 O.A.C. 57, refd to. [para. 115].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Hanbury and Martin, Modern Equity (14th Ed. 1993), pp. 877 [para. 71]; 878 to 881 [para. 74].

Counsel:

A. Cameron Ward and J. Levine, for the plaintiff;

Alan A. Hobkirk, for the defendant.

This action was heard on January 10-14, 17-21 and 24-27, 2000, at Vancouver, B.C., before Stromberg-Stein, J., of the British Columbia Supreme Court, who delivered the following judgment on March 2, 2000.

Please note: The following judgment has not been edited.