R. v. Stevens (B.G.), (1995) 100 Man.R.(2d) 81 (CA)

• Judge: Scott, C.J.M., Huband, Philp, Twaddle and Helper, JJ.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (Manitoba)
• Case Date: February 22, 1995
• Jurisdiction: Manitoba
• Citations: (1995), 100 Man.R.(2d) 81 (CA)

R. v. Stevens (B.G.) (1995), 100 Man.R.(2d) 81 (CA);

    91 W.A.C. 81

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty the Queen (respondent) v. Brian George Stevens (accused/appellant)

Her Majesty the Queen (appellant) v. Brian George Stevens (accused/respondent)

(Suit Nos. A.R. 93-30-01382; A.R. 94-30-01674)

Indexed As: R. v. Stevens (B.G.)

Manitoba Court of Appeal

Scott, C.J.M., Huband, Philp, Twaddle and Helper, JJ.A.

February 22, 1995.

Summary:

An accused, charged with defamatory libel under s. 300 of the Criminal Code, challenged the constitutionality of the section. The Manitoba Provincial Court held that s. 300 did not violate s. 2(b) of the Charter and convicted the accused. The accused appealed.

The accused, charged with a second incidence of defamatory libel, challenged the constitutionality of s. 300 of the Criminal Code. The Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench, in a decision reported at 93 Man.R.(2d) 29, held that s. 300 violated s. 2(b) of the Charter and acquitted the accused. The Crown appealed. The appeals were heard together. The Crown conceded that s. 300 prima facie violated s. 2(b) of the Charter, but claimed that it was saved under s. 1.

The Manitoba Court of Appeal held that s. 300 was constitutional, dismissed the accused's appeal against conviction and allowed the Crown's appeal against acquittal.

Civil Rights - Topic 1803

Freedom of speech or expression - Freedom of expression - Scope of - Huband and Philp, JJ.A., of the Manitoba Court of Appeal discussed the screening out of cases clearly falling outside the free speech guarantee before going on to a s. 1 analysis and stated that "the screening out of cases before reaching a s. 1 analysis is dependent upon content and freedom of expression is not absolute in terms of content" - See paragraph 127.

Civil Rights - Topic 1803

Freedom of speech or expression - Freedom of expression - Scope of - The accused was charged with defamatory libel (Criminal Code, s. 300) after circulating defamatory posters and a letter about his ex-girlfriend - He argued that s. 300 violated his s. 2(b) Charter right to freedom of expression - The Crown conceded prima facie violation of s. 2(b) - The Manitoba Court of Appeal held that s. 300 was saved by s. 1 of the Charter - Huband and Philp, JJ.A., however, concluded that the accused's activities were not activities that fell within the freedom of expression protected by s. 2(b) - See paragraphs 85 to 130 - Twaddle, J.A., concluded that for expressive activity to fall outside Charter protection it must be violent in form; therefore the accused's communications were protected - See paragraphs 141 to 155.

Civil Rights - Topic 1843.1

Freedom of speech or expression - Limitations on - Defamation - An accused, charged with defamatory libel under s. 300 of the Criminal Code, claimed the provision violated his s. 2(b) Charter right to freedom of speech and expression - The Crown conceded that s. 300 violated s. 2(b), but claimed it was saved under s. 1 of the Charter - The Manitoba Court of Appeal, held that, although s. 300 restricted the guaranteed right, it was saved by s. 1 of the Charter as demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

Civil Rights - Topic 8348

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Application - Exceptions - Reasonable limits prescribed by law (Charter s. 1) - [See Civil Rights - Topic 1843.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 1522

Defamatory libel - Scope of - An accused was charged with defamatory libel contrary to the Criminal Code, s. 300, after circulating defamatory posters (charge one) and a letter (charge 2) about his ex-girlfriend - The trial judge convicted the accused on charge 1, holding that s. 300 did not violate the accused's s. 2(b) Charter right to freedom of expression - A second trial judge acquitted the accused on charge 2, holding that s. 300 violated the accused's s. 2(b) Charter right - The Manitoba Court of Appeal convicted the accused on both charges - Although s. 300 restricted the guaranteed right, it was saved by s. 1 of the Charter as demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.

Criminal Law - Topic 1523

Defamatory libel - Validity of legislation - [See Civil Rights - Topic 1843.1 ].

Criminal Law - Topic 1524

Defamatory libel - Intention - The Manitoba Court of Appeal discussed whether intention to defame was an element of defamatory libel under s. 300 of the Criminal Code - See paragraphs 60 to 82; 227 to 246.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Stevens, [1993] 7 W.W.R. 38 (Man. Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 7].

R. v. Oakes, [1986] 1 S.C.R. 103; 65 N.R. 87; 14 O.A.C. 335; 26 D.L.R.(4th) 200; 50 C.R.(3d) 1; 24 C.C.C.(3d) 321; 19 C.R.R. 308, refd to. [paras. 10, 128, 160].

Schachter v. Canada et al., [1992] 2 S.C.R. 679; 139 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 12].

R. v. Stevens (B.G.), [1994] 6 W.W.R. 636; 93 Man.R.(2d) 29 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Keegstra, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 697; 117 N.R. 1; 114 A.R. 81; 1 C.R.(4th) 129; 77 Alta. L.R.(2d) 193; [1991] 2 W.W.R. 1; 61 C.C.C.(3d) 1; 3 C.R.R.(2d) 193, refd to. [paras. 17, 104, 147].

R. v. Zundel (No. 2), [1992] 2 S.C.R. 731; 140 N.R. 1; 56 O.A.C. 161, refd to. [paras. 17, 104, 147].

R. v. Sullivan (1868), 11 Cox C.C. 51, refd to. [para. 22].

R. v. Labouchère (1884), 12 Q.B.D. 320, refd to. [para. 23].

R. v. Wicks (1936), 25 Cr. App. Rep. 168 (C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 25].

R. v. Wells Street Stipendiary Magistrate; Ex parte Deakin, [1980] A.C. 477 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 26].

Gleaves v. Deakin - see R. v. Wells Street Stipendiary Magistrate; Ex parte Deakin.

R. v. Cameron (1898), 2 C.C.C. 173; 7 B.R. 162 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 30].

Menard v. R., [1934] 1 D.L.R. 155; 55 B.R. 98 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 30].

Maloney v. Fildes, [1933] 1 W.W.R. 33 (Alta. S.C.), refd to. [para. 30].

Dolphin Delivery Ltd. v. Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 580, Peterson and Alexander, [1986] 2 S.C.R. 573; 71 N.R. 83; 33 D.L.R.(4th) 174; 38 C.C.L.T. 184; 25 C.R.R. 321; [1987] 1 W.W.R. 577; 87 C.L.L.C. 14,002, refd to. [paras. 34, 96, 146].

Edmonton Journal v. Alberta (Attorney General), [1989] 2 S.C.R. 1326; 102 N.R. 321; 103 A.R. 321; [1990] 1 W.W.R. 577; 64 D.L.R.(4th) 577; 71 Alta. L.R.(2d) 273; 45 C.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 34].

Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; 94 N.R. 167; 24 Q.A.C. 2; 58 D.L.R.(4th) 577; 25 C.P.R.(3d) 417, refd to. [paras. 34, 98, 143].

Reference Re Sections 193 and 195.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 1123; 109 N.R. 81; 68 Man.R.(2d) 1; 56 C.C.C.(3d) 65; 77 C.R.(3d) 1; [1990] 4 W.W.R. 481, refd to. [paras. 37, 104, 143].

Prostitution Reference - see Reference Re Sections 193 and 195.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.

Renvoi relatif au Code criminel (Man.) - see Reference Re Sections 193 and 195.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code.

Taylor and Western Guard Party v. Canadian Human Rights Commission, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 892; 117 N.R. 191, refd to. [para. 37].

R. v. Butler and McCord, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452; 134 N.R. 81; 78 Man.R.(2d) 1; 16 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [paras. 37, 104, 139].

R. v. Swain, [1991] 1 S.C.R. 933; 125 N.R. 1; 47 O.A.C. 81; 63 C.C.C.(3d) 481, refd to. [para. 40].

R. v. Nova Scotia Pharmaceutical Society et al. (No. 2), [1992] 2 S.C.R. 606; 139 N.R. 241; 114 N.S.R.(2d) 91; 313 A.P.R. 91, refd to. [paras. 42, 166, 244].

R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295; 58 N.R. 81; 60 A.R. 161; [1985] 3 W.W.R. 481; 18 C.C.C.(3d) 385; 18 D.L.R.(4th) 321; 37 Alta. L.R.(2d) 97; 85 C.L.L.C. 14,023; 13 C.R.R. 64, refd to. [paras. 43, 169].

Reference Re Section 94(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act (B.C.), [1985] 2 S.C.R. 486; 63 N.R. 266; 48 C.R.(3d) 289; 23 C.C.C.(3d) 289; [1986] 1 W.W.R. 481, refd to. [para. 52].

Southam Inc. v. Hunter, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 145; 55 N.R. 241; 55 A.R. 291; 9 C.R.R. 355; 14 C.C.C.(3d) 97; 41 C.R.(3d) 97; [1984] 6 W.W.R. 577; 33 Alta. L.R.(2d) 193; 27 B.L.R. 297; 84 D.T.C. 6467; 2 C.P.R.(3d) 1; 11 D.L.R.(4th) 641, refd to. [para. 52].

Beaver v. R., [1957] S.C.R. 531, refd to. [paras. 60, 241].

R. v. Sault Ste. Marie (City), [1978] 2 S.C.R. 1299; 21 N.R. 295; 85 D.L.R.(3d) 161; 40 C.C.C.(2d) 353; 3 C.R.(3d) 30; 7 C.E.L.R. 53, refd to. [paras. 60, 241].

R. v. City of Sault Ste. Marie - see R. v. Sault Ste. Marie (City).

R. v. Munslow, [1895] 1 Q.B. 758, refd to. [paras. 67, 236].

R. v. Lemon; R. v. Gay News, [1979] A.C. 617 (H.L.), refd to. [paras. 68, 239].

R. v. Law (1909), 19 Man. R. 259 (C.A.), refd to. [paras. 69, 246].

R. v. Georgia Straight Publishing Ltd. (1970), 6 C.R.N.S. 150 (B.C. Co. Ct.), refd to. [paras. 69, 246].

R. v. Creevey (1813), 1 M. & S. 273; 105 E.R. 102, refd to. [para. 72].

R. v. Evans (1821), 3 Stark. 35; 171 E.R. 759, refd to. [para. 72].

R. v. Ensor (1887), 3 T.L.R. 366, refd to. [para. 72].

R. v. Abingdon (Lord)(1794), 1 Esp. 226; 170 E.R. 337 (K.B.), refd to. [paras. 72, 230].

R. v. Théroux, [1993] 2 S.C.R. 5; 151 N.R. 104; 54 Q.A.C. 184, refd to. [para. 80].

R. v. Clemente (V.F.), [1994] 2 W.W.R. 153; 92 Man.R.(2d) 51; 61 W.A.C. 51 (C.A.), affd. [1994] 2 S.C.R. 758; 168 N.R. 310; 95 Man.R.(2d) 161; 70 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [paras. 86, 245].

R. v. Clemente (V.F.), [1994] 2 S.C.R. 758; 168 N.R. 310; 95 Man.R.(2d) 161; 70 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 86].

Fraser v. Public Service Staff Relations Board, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 455; 63 N.R. 161; 23 D.L.R.(4th) 122, refd to. [para. 95].

Chaussure Brown's Inc. et al. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1988] 2 S.C.R. 712; 90 N.R. 84; 19 Q.A.C. 69, refd to. [paras. 102, 143].

Ford v. Quebec (Attorney General) - see Chaussure Brown's Inc. et al. v. Québec (Procureur général).

Committee for the Commonwealth of Canada et al. v. Canada, [1991] 1 S.C.R. 139; 120 N.R. 241, refd to. [paras. 106, 151].

Lavigne v. Ontario Public Service Employees Union et al., [1991] 2 S.C.R. 211; 126 N.R. 161; 48 O.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 117].

Société Radio-Canada v. Lessard (Juge), Québec (Procureur général) et autres, [1991] 3 S.C.R. 421; 130 N.R. 321; 43 Q.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 118].

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Lessard - see Société Radio-Canada v. Lessard (Juge), Québec (Procureur général) et autres.

Ramsden v. Peterborough (City), [1993] 2 S.C.R. 1084; 156 N.R. 2; 66 O.A.C. 10, refd to. [para. 118].

Native Women's Association of Canada v. Canada (1994), 173 N.R. 241 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 118].

R. v. Videoflicks Ltd. et al., [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; 35 D.L.R.(4th) 1; 28 C.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 139].

Edwards Books and Art Ltd. v. R. - see R. v. Videoflicks Ltd. et al.

R. v. Edwards Books and Art Ltd. - see R. v. Videoflicks Ltd. et al.

R. v. Vaillancourt, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 636; 81 N.R. 115; 10 Q.A.C. 161; 68 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 281; 209 A.P.R. 281; 60 C.R.(3d) 289, refd to. [para. 139].

Manitoba (Attorney General) v. Groupe Quebecor Inc. et al. (1987), 47 Man.R.(2d) 187 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 142].

Reference Re Sections 193 and 195.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, [1987] 6 W.W.R. 289; 49 Man.R.(2d) 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 142].

R. v. Butler and McCord, [1991] 1 W.W.R. 97; 73 Man.R.(2d) 197; 3 W.A.C. 197 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 143].

United States of America v. Cotroni; United States of America v. El Zein, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1469; 96 N.R. 321; 23 Q.A.C. 182, refd to. [para. 163].

R. v. Zundel (1987), 18 O.A.C. 161; 58 O.R.(2d) 129 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 166].

R. v. Morgentaler, [1993] 3 S.C.R. 463; 157 N.R. 97; 125 N.S.R.(2d) 81; 349 A.P.R. 81, refd to. [para. 175].

Libellis Famosis, De (1606), 5 Co. Rep. 125a; 77 E.R. 250 (Star Chamber), refd to. [para. 179].

R. v. Topham (1791), 4 Term Rep. 126; 100 E.R. 931 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 181].

R. v. Osborn (1732), 2 Barn. K.B. 138; 94 E.R. 406 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 181].

R. v. Gathercole (1838), 2 Lewin C.C. 237; 168 E.R. 1140 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 181].

R. v. Holbrook (1878), 4 Q.B.D. 42, refd to. [para. 200].

Whyman v. Garth (1853), 22 L.J. Ex.(N.S.) 316, refd to. [para. 231].

R. v. Harvey and Chapman (1823), 2 B. & C. 257; 107 E.R. 379 (K.B.), refd to. [para. 233].

R. v. Burdett (1820), 4 B. & Ald. 95; 106 E.R. 873, refd to. [para. 234].

R. v. Reeves (1796), Peake Add. Cas. 84; 170 E.R. 202, refd to. [para. 234].

Sweet v. Parsley, [1970] A.C. 132 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 240].

R. v. Prue; R. v. Baril, [1979] 2 S.C.R. 547; 26 N.R. 470, refd to. [para. 242].

Metropolitan Stores (MTS) Ltd. v. Manitoba Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 832 and Labour Board (Man.), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 110; 73 N.R. 341; 46 Man.R.(2d) 241; 38 D.L.R.(4th) 321; 18 C.P.C.(2d) 273; 25 Admin. L.R. 20, refd to. [para. 243].

Manitoba (Attorney General) v. Metropolitan Stores Ltd. - see Metropolitan Stores (MTS) Ltd. v. Manitoba Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 832 and Labour Board (Man.).

Hills v. Canada (Attorney General), [1988] 1 S.C.R. 513; 84 N.R. 86; 48 D.L.R.(4th) 193; 88 C.L.L.C. 14,011, refd to. [para. 245].

R. v. Rube (G.), [1992] 3 S.C.R. 159; 154 N.R. 241; 29 B.C.A.C. 41; 48 W.A.C. 41, refd to. [para. 245].

R. v. Ruston (1991), 71 Man.R.(2d) 49; 63 C.C.C.(3d) 419 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 245].

R. v. Goltz, [1991] 3 S.C.R. 485; 131 N.R. 1; 5 B.C.A.C. 161; 11 W.A.C. 161; 8 C.R.(4th) 82, refd to. [para. 255].

Vander Zalm v. Times Publishers (1980), 109 D.L.R.(3d) 531 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 275].

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Dagenais et al. (1994), 175 N.R. 1; 76 O.A.C. 81 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 281].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, generally [para. 9].

Convention of Human Rights (Eur.), art. 10 [para. 125].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 298 [para. 3]; sect. 299 [para. 4]; sect. 300 [para. 156]; sect. 301 [para. 5].

Criminal Code, S.C. 1892, c. 29, generally [para. 29].

Criminal Justice Act, 1967 (U.K.), c. 80, sect. 8 [para. 232].

Draft Code (Eng.), generally [para. 174].

Fox's Libel Act - see Libel Act, 1792 (U.K.).

Libel Act, 1792 (U.K.), 32 Geo. 3, c. 60, generally [para. 229].

Libel Act, 1843 (U.K.), 6 & 7 Vict., c. 96, sect. 4 [para. 20].

Libel, An Act Respecting the Crime of, S.C. 1874, 37 Vict., c. 38, sect. 2 [para. 28].

Libel, An Act Respecting, R.S.C. 1886, 49 Vict., c. 163, generally [para. 29].

Lord Campbell's Act - see Libel Act, 1843 (U.K.).

Statute of Westminster, 1275, generally [para. 17].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Canada, Department of Justice, The Criminal Law in Canadian Society (1982), pp. 52 to 53 [para. 214].

Canada, Law Reform Commission, Working Paper No. 35, Defamatory Libel (1984), pp. 5 [para. 174]; 19 [para. 247]; 33 to 39 [para. 165]; 47 to 59 [para. 215]; 59 to 60 [para. 217]; footnote 59 [para. 236].

Canada, Senate Debates (April 29, 1874), generally [para. 176].

Emerson, Thomas I., Toward a General Theory of the First Amendment (1963), 72 Yale L.J. 877, p. 878 [para. 102].

England, Journals of the House of Lords (1843), vol. 75, Appendix No. 3, p. 34 et seq. [para. 187]; 35 [para. 195]; 51 [para. 192]; 52 [para. 194]; 105 [para. 197]; 108 [para. 193].

England, Law Reform Commission, Report on Criminal Libel (1985), p. 60 [para. 217].

England, Law Reform Commission, Working Paper No. 84 (1982), pp. 49 [para. 72]; 100 [para. 253].

England, Parliamentary Debates (1816), vol. 34, p. 389 [para. 184].

England, Parliamentary Debates (1843), 3rd series, vol. 66, pp. 402 [para. 186]; 1233 et seq. [para. 198].

England, Parliamentary Debates (1843), 3rd series, vol. 71, p. 870 [para. 198].

Fraser on Libel and Slander (7th Ed. 1936), p. 210 [para. 23].

Hansard's Parliamentary Debates - see England, Parliamentary Debates.

Hogg, Peter W., Constitutional Law of Canada (3rd Ed. 1992), p. 40-12 [para. 111].

Hogg, Peter W., Interpreting the Charter of Rights: Generosity and Justification (1990), 28 Osgoode Hall L.J. 817 (no. 4), p. 819 [para. 112].

Holdsworth, William, Defamation in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries (1925), 41 Law Q. Rev. 13, p. 28 [para. 236].

Holdsworth, A History of the Laws of England, vol. 5 [para. 23].

Journals of the House of Lords - see England, Journals of the House of Lords.

Lepofsky, M. David, Making Sense of the Libel Chill Debate: Do Libel Laws "Chill" the Exercise of Freedom of Expression? (1994), 4 N.J.C.L. 169, p. 192 [para. 113].

Lepofsky, M. David, The Supreme Court's Approach to Freedom of Expression - Irwin Toy v. Quebec (Attorney General) - And the Illusion of Section 2(b) Liberalism (1993), 3 N.C.J.L. 37, p. 93 [para. 110].

Loveland, Ian, Defamation of "Government": Taking Lessons from America?, in Legal Studies (1994), 14 Journal of the Society of Public Teachers of Law no. 2, p. 218 [para. 48].

Odgers, W., An Outline of the Law of Libel (1897), pp. 178 [paras. 24, 200]; 181 [paras. 19, 24].

Odgers, W., Libel and Slander (1881), p. 388 [para. 67].

Paterson, J., The Liberty of the Press, Speech and Public Worship (1880), p. 142 [para. 68].

Russell, A Treatise on Crimes and Misdemeanors (8th Ed. 1923), p. 997, refd to. [para. 76].

Scrapbook Debates - see Canada, Senate Debates.

Sharpe, Robert J., Commercial Expression and the Charter (1987), 37 U. of T.L.J. 229, p. 232 [para. 102].

Spencer, J.R., Blasphemous Libel Resurrected - Gay News and Grim Tidings, [1979] 38 Cambridge L.J. 245, p. 251 [para. 239].

Spencer, J.R., Criminal Libel - A Skeleton in the Cupboard, [1977] Crim. L.R. 383, p. 389 [para. 48].

Spencer, J.R., Commentary on the Law Commission's Working Paper 84, Criminal Libel, [1983] Crim. L.R. 524, pp. 527 [paras. 219, 220]; 528 [para. 221].

Starkie, Thomas, The Law of Slander and Libel (6th Ed. 1897), p. 167 [para. 201].

Stephen, James, A History of the Criminal Law of England (1893), vol. 2, pp. 358, 359 [paras. 73, 237].

Williams, Glanville, Criminal Law - The General Part (2nd Ed. 1961), p. 67 [para. 238].

Counsel:

B.P. Schwartz and S.Z. Tessler, for B.G. Stevens;

S.D. Greenberg, G.A. Lawlor and R.J. Spivak, for the Crown.

These appeals were heard on March 28 and 29, 1994, before Scott, C.J.M., Huband, Philp, Twaddle and Helper, JJ.A., of the Manitoba Court of Appeal. On February 22, 1995, the judgment of the court was delivered, and the following opinions were filed:

Scott, C.J.M. (Helper, J.A., concurring) - see paragraphs 1 to 84;

Huband and Philp, JJ.A. - see paragraphs 85 to 131;

Twaddle, J.A. - see paragraphs 132 to 283.