R. v. Morgentaler, (1990) 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293 (ProvCt)
Judge | Kennedy, P.C.J. |
Court | Provincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada) |
Case Date | October 19, 1990 |
Jurisdiction | Nova Scotia |
Citations | (1990), 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293 (ProvCt) |
R. v. Morgentaler (1990), 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293 (ProvCt);
270 A.P.R. 293
MLB headnote and full text
R. v. Henry Morgentaler
(PHFX-69568 to 69581)
Indexed As: R. v. Morgentaler
Nova Scotia Provincial Court
Kennedy, P.C.J.
October 19, 1990.
Summary:
The Medical Services Act, S.N.S. 1989, c. 9, prohibited certain medical services outside a hospital, including abortion. Dr. Henry Morgentaler was charged under the Act with performing therapeutic abortions in Nova Scotia. He pleaded in defence that the Act was unconstitutional.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Court acquitted the accused on the ground that the Act was an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law power, because it was directed at the prevention of Dr. Morgentaler's abortion clinic.
Constitutional Law - Topic 6493
Federal jurisdiction - Criminal law - Abortion - The Medical Services Act, S.N.S. 1989, c. 9, sought to prohibit certain private medical services, including abortion - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court examined the social and political background of the legislation and concluded that it was directed at preventing Dr. Morgentaler's private abortion clinic and as such was an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law power.
Criminal Law - Topic 1456
Offences against the person and reputation - Abortion - General - [See Constitutional Law - Topic 6493 ].
Statutes - Topic 518
Interpretation - General principles - Mischief rule - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court held that in determining the constitutional validity of the Medical Services Act, S.N.S. 1989, c. 9, which prohibited private abortions, the court could look to the "mischief" the legislators were addressing and the political context of the legislation - See paragraphs 44 to 82 - These factors led the court to conclude that the legislation was directed at the prevention of Dr. Morgentaler's private abortion clinic and was an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law power.
Statutes - Topic 1601
Interpretation - Extrinsic aids - General - [See Statutes - Topic 518 ].
Statutes - Topic 1607
Interpretation - Extrinsic aids - Policy of legislation - [See Statutes - Topic 518 ].
Statutes - Topic 1644
Interpretation - Extrinsic aids - Legislative history - Legislative debates - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court in determining that the Medical Services Act, S.N.S. 1989, c. 9, was aimed at preventing Dr. Morgentaler's private abortion clinic and as such was an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law power considered the legislative debates and the positions of lobbyists surrounding the legislation - See paragraphs 44 to 82.
Statutes - Topic 1649
Interpretation - Extrinsic aids - Legislative history - Lobbying - [See Statutes - Topic 1644 ].
Statutes - Topic 1655
Interpretation - Extrinsic aids - Legislative history - Social and political background - [See Statutes - Topic 518 ].
Cases Noticed:
R. v. Morgentaler, Smoling and Scott, [1988] 1 S.C.R. 30; 82 N.R. 1; 26 O.A.C. 1, consd. [para. 13].
R. v. Morgentaler, [1976] 1 S.C.R. 616; 4 N.R. 277, consd. [para. 20].
Reference re Freedom of Informed Choice (Abortions) Act (1985), 44 Sask.R. 104 (C.A.), appld. [para. 24].
R. v. Westendorp, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 43; 46 N.R. 30, 41 A.R. 306, appld. [para. 24].
Attorney General of Alberta v. Attorney General of Canada, [1939] A.C. 117 (P.C.), appld. [para. 45].
R. v. Videoflicks Ltd., [1986] 2 S.C.R. 713; 71 N.R. 161; 19 O.A.C. 239; 30 C.C.C.(3d) 385; 55 C.R.(3d) 193; 14 D.L.R.(4th) 10, appld. [para. 74].
R. v. Edwards Books and Art Ltd. - see R. v. Videoflicks Ltd.
Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; 94 N.R. 16; 24 Q.A.C. 2, appld. [para. 74].
McGee v. Pooley (1931), 56 C.C.C. 325 (B.C.C.A.), consd. [para. 93].
Statutes Noticed:
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 7, sect. 15.
Constitution Act, 1867, sect. 91(27) [para. 14]; sect. 92(7), sect. 92(13), sect. 92(16) [para. 29].
Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 251 [para. 21].
Environmental Protection Act, R.S. N.S. 1989, c. 150, sect. 48 [para. 88].
Health Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 195, sect. 128 [para. 84].
Health and Hospitals Act Regulations, Abortion Regulation, N.S. Reg. 33/89 [para. 55].
Medical Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 278, sect. 49 [para. 84].
Medical Services Act, S.N.S. 1989, c. 9, sect. 2 [para. 30]; sect. 6(1) [para. 83].
Authors and Works Noticed:
Hogg, Peter W., Constitutional Law of Canada (2nd Ed.), pp. 314 [para. 28]; 319 [para. 50].
Counsel:
Marion Tyson, Alison Scott and Craig Botterill, for the Crown;
Anne S. Derrick, for the defendant.
This case was heard at Halifax, Nova Scotia, before Kennedy, P.C.J., of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, who delivered the following judgment on October 19, 1990:
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R. v. Morgentaler, (1993) 157 N.R. 97 (SCC)
...Nova Scotia. Morgentaler claimed the Act and Regulation were unconstitutional. The Nova Scotia Provincial Court, in a judgment reported 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293 , acquitted Morgentaler on the ground that the Act and Regulation were an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law p......
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R. v. Morgentaler, (1993) 125 N.S.R.(2d) 81 (SCC)
...Nova Scotia. Morgentaler claimed the Act and Regulation were unconstitutional. The Nova Scotia Provincial Court, in a judgment reported 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293 , acquitted Morgentaler on the ground that the Act and Regulation were an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law p......
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R. v. Morgentaler, (1991) 104 N.S.R.(2d) 361 (CA)
...abortions in Nova Scotia. Morgentaler claimed the Act was unconstitutional. The Nova Scotia Provincial Court, in a judgment reported 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293 , acquitted Morgentaler on the ground that the Act was an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law power, because it wa......
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Johnston et al. v. Prince Edward Island, (1995) 128 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 1 (PEITD)
...Secretary) v. Egan, [1941] S.C.R. 396, consd. [para. 149]. Smith v. R., [1960] S.C.R. 776, consd. [para. 150]. R. v. Morgentaler (1990), 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293; 270 A.P.R. 229 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. Bonham's Case (1610), 8 Co. Rep. 114(a); 77 E.R. 646, not folld. [para. 194......
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R. v. Morgentaler, (1993) 157 N.R. 97 (SCC)
...Nova Scotia. Morgentaler claimed the Act and Regulation were unconstitutional. The Nova Scotia Provincial Court, in a judgment reported 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293 , acquitted Morgentaler on the ground that the Act and Regulation were an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law p......
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R. v. Morgentaler, (1993) 125 N.S.R.(2d) 81 (SCC)
...Nova Scotia. Morgentaler claimed the Act and Regulation were unconstitutional. The Nova Scotia Provincial Court, in a judgment reported 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293 , acquitted Morgentaler on the ground that the Act and Regulation were an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law p......
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R. v. Morgentaler, (1991) 104 N.S.R.(2d) 361 (CA)
...abortions in Nova Scotia. Morgentaler claimed the Act was unconstitutional. The Nova Scotia Provincial Court, in a judgment reported 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293 , acquitted Morgentaler on the ground that the Act was an invalid invasion of the federal criminal law power, because it wa......
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Johnston et al. v. Prince Edward Island, (1995) 128 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 1 (PEITD)
...Secretary) v. Egan, [1941] S.C.R. 396, consd. [para. 149]. Smith v. R., [1960] S.C.R. 776, consd. [para. 150]. R. v. Morgentaler (1990), 99 N.S.R.(2d) 293; 270 A.P.R. 293; 270 A.P.R. 229 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. Bonham's Case (1610), 8 Co. Rep. 114(a); 77 E.R. 646, not folld. [para. 194......
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Provincial Jurisdiction over Abortion.
...note 3 at 494. (56.) See ibid at 505-13. (57.) Ibid at 512. (58.) See ibid at 499-505. (59.) Ibid at 506, citing R v Morgentaler (1990), 99 NSR (2d) 293 at 302, 270 APR 293 (Prov (60.) Morgentaler 1993, supra note 3 at 491-94. (61.) The meaning ascribed to colourability in this paper impl......