R. v. Inuvik Coastal Airways Ltd. and McKerral, (1983) 51 A.R. 115 (NWTSC)

Judgede Weerdt, J.
CourtSupreme Court of Northwest Territories (Canada)
Case DateDecember 01, 1983
JurisdictionNorthwest Territories
Citations(1983), 51 A.R. 115 (NWTSC)

R. v. Inuvik Coastal Airways Ltd. (1983), 51 A.R. 115 (NWTSC)

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Inuvik Coastal Airways Ltd. and McKerral

(SC 2686)

Indexed As: R. v. Inuvik Coastal Airways Ltd. and McKerral

Northwest Territories Supreme Court

de Weerdt, J.

December 2, 1983.

Summary:

A corporate lessor leased an aircraft to the accused company. When the aircraft was returned, the lessor concluded that the accused misrepresented the amount the aircraft had been used, making a lesser amount due. Thinking that only the police could obtain information confirming the cheating, the lessor's president reported the matter to the police, who undertook an intensive three month investigation. During the investigation the lessor's president attempted to negotiate settlement of its claim against the accused, using the investigation and subsequent criminal charge as a lever. The accused and its president were charged. During the trial the accused moved for a stay on the ground of abuse of process. The Northwest Territories Supreme Court granted a stay and held that it was improper to use the criminal process to collect a civil debt.

Criminal Law - Topic 253

Abuse of process - What constitutes - Use of criminal process to collect civil debt - An aircraft lessor felt that the lessee misrepresented the amount the aircraft was used and as a result owed over double the amount paid by the lessee - The lessor reported the matter to the police and used the subsequent police investigation and charge against the lessee to coerce settlement of its claim - The Northwest Territories Supreme Court stayed the charge against the lessee for abuse of process and held that the use of the criminal process to collect a civil debt was improper.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Rourke, [1978] 1 S.C.R. 1021; 16 N.R. 181; 35 C.C.C.(2d) 129; 38 C.R.N.S. 268; 76 D.L.R.(3d) 193; [1977] 5 W.W.R. 487, consd. [para. 3].

R. v. Amato, [1983] 1 W.W.R. 1; 42 N.R. 487; 69 C.C.C.(2d) 31; 29 C.R. (3d) 1; 140 D.L.R.(3d) 405, consd. [para. 5].

R. v. Krannenberg, [1980] 1 S.C.R. 1053; 20 A.R. 504; 31 N.R. 206; 51 C.C.C.(2d) 205; 17 C.R.(3d) 357; [1980] 2 W.W.R. 651; 108 D.L.R.(3d) 333, consd. [para. 5].

Sproule, Re (1886), 12 S.C.R. 140, refd to. [para. 6].

R. v. Ittoshat, [1970] 5 C.C.C. 159; 10 C.R.N.S. 385; 12 D.L.R.(3d) 266 (Que.), appld. [para. 39].

Statutes Noticed:

Judicature Ordinance, R.O.N.W.T., c. J-1, sect. 10 [para. 11].

Northwest Territories Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. N-22, sect. 18 [para. 41].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Ewaschuk, Criminal Pleadings and Practice in Canada, p. 299 [para. 36].

Counsel:

C. Evans, Q.C., for the accused on the motion;

B. Fontaine, for the Crown against the motion.

This case was heard on December 1, 1983, at Inuvik, N.W.T., before de Weerdt, of the Northwest Territories Supreme Court, who delivered the following judgment on December 2, 1983:

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1 practice notes
  • R. v. Lyons (R.), 2000 ABQB 615
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • 6 Septiembre 2000
    ...3 S.C.R. 979; 116 N.R. 361; 43 O.A.C. 277; 61 C.C.C.(3d) 300, refd to. [para. 20]. R. v. Inuvik Coastal Airways Ltd. and McKerral (1983), 51 A.R. 115 (N.W.T.S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. O'Connor (H.P.), [1995] 4 S.C.R. 411; 191 N.R. 1; 68 B.C.A.C. 1; 112 W.A.C. 1; 103 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to.......
1 cases
  • R. v. Lyons (R.), 2000 ABQB 615
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • 6 Septiembre 2000
    ...3 S.C.R. 979; 116 N.R. 361; 43 O.A.C. 277; 61 C.C.C.(3d) 300, refd to. [para. 20]. R. v. Inuvik Coastal Airways Ltd. and McKerral (1983), 51 A.R. 115 (N.W.T.S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. O'Connor (H.P.), [1995] 4 S.C.R. 411; 191 N.R. 1; 68 B.C.A.C. 1; 112 W.A.C. 1; 103 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to.......

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