R. v. Galbraith and Saikaly, (1989) 98 A.R. 241 (CA)

• Judge: Kerans, Belzil and Stevenson, JJ.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (Alberta)
• Case Date: May 10, 1989
• Citations: (1989), 98 A.R. 241 (CA)

R. v. Galbraith (1989), 98 A.R. 241 (CA)

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty The Queen (respondent) v. Joyce Lillian Galbraith and Nabil Saikaly (appellants)

(Appeal No. 8703-0872, 8703-0856)

Indexed As: R. v. Galbraith and Saikaly

Alberta Court of Appeal

Kerans, Belzil and Stevenson, JJ.A.

May 10, 1989.

Summary:

The accused appealed three conspiracy convictions, submitting that emergency wiretap authorizations obtained under s. 178.15 of the Criminal Code, with the information in support of the application not being on oath, violated s. 8 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Alberta Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial.

Civil Rights - Topic 1217

Security of the person - Lawful or reasonable search - Unreasonable search and seizure - What constitutes - [See Criminal Law - Topic 3102 below].

Criminal Law - Topic 3102

Search warrants - Issue of - Emergency wiretap authorization - Section 178.15 of the Criminal Code provided for emergency wiretap authorizations where urgency prevented obtaining regular authorizations under s. 178.12 - Section 178.15 did not require an oath - The Alberta Court of Appeal held that urgency justified dispensing with the affidavit required on a regular application, but s. 8 of the Charter required that oral evidence to support a preauthorized search must be given on oath or affirmation - The court discussed, without deciding, whether that oral evidence must be recorded to ensure the accused's right to full answer and defence - The court suggested s. 8 may require some form of recording the gist of the sworn allegations - The court held that the oath requirement of s. 178.12 was implied in s. 178.15.

Cases Noticed:

Southam Inc. v. Hunter, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 145; 55 N.R. 241; 55 A.R. 291; 27 B.L.R. 297; 33 Alta. L.R.(2d) 193; 9 C.R.R. 355; 14 C.C.C. (3d) 97; 11 D.L.R.(4th) 641; 2 C.P.R.(3d) 1; [1984] 6 W.W.R. 577; 41 C.R.(3d) 97; 84 D.T.C. 6467, refd to. [para. 12].

R. v. Simmons (1989), 89 N.R. 1 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 12].

R. v. Horsburg (1965), 47 C.R. 151, refd to. [para. 16].

R. v. Bannerman (1966), 48 C.R. 110, refd to. [para. 16].

Vella et al. and The Queen, Re (1984), 14 C.C.C.(3d) 513 (Ont. H.C.J.), refd to. [para. 19].

New Brunswick v. Professional Vending and Amusement Ltd. (1985), 62 N.B.R.(2d) 184; 161 A.P.R. 184; 19 C.C.C. (3d) 163 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 19].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 1 [para. 17]; sect. 8 [para. 11].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 128, sect. 139 [para. 20]; sect. 178.12(1)(c), sect. 178.12(1)(d), sect. 178.12(1)(e), sect. 178.12(1)(f), sect. 178.12(1)(g), sect. 178.13(1)(a), sect. 178.13(1)(b), sect. 178.15(1)(a), sect. 178.15(2), sect. 178.15(3) [para. 9].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 686(1)(b) [para. 26].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Gibson, The Law of the Charter; General Principles, pp. 187-188 [para. 25].

Counsel:

I.C. Hutton and K.N. Lambrecht, for the respondent;

R.A. Stroppel, for the appellant, Galbraith;

J.E. Faulkner, for the appellant, Saikaly.

This appeal was heard before Kerans, Belzil and Stevenson, JJ.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal.

On May 10, 1989, Stevenson, J.A., delivered the following judgment for the Court of Appeal.