Spracklin v. Kichton, (2001) 294 A.R. 44 (QB)

• Judge: Watson, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: July 23, 2001
• Citations: (2001), 294 A.R. 44 (QB);2001 ABQB 646

Spracklin v. Kichton (2001), 294 A.R. 44 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2001] A.R. TBEd. AU.045

Denise Roxanne Spracklin (plaintiff/applicant) v. Michael James Kichton (defendant/respondent)

(Action Nos. 0003 03202; 0003 04035; 2001 ABQB 646)

Indexed As: Spracklin v. Kichton

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial District of Edmonton

Watson, J.

July 23, 2001.

Summary:

Spracklin, who had lived in a common law relationship with Kichton, for 10 years, sought to constitutionally challenge the definition of "spouse" in provincial legislation affecting her claim. The Province of Alberta intervened to defend the definition of "spouse" in the Matrimonial Property Act. Spracklin sought an order requiring the Crown to provide interim costs in support of her constitutional challenge (i.e., in effect to fund both sides of the legal debate).

The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench granted the order.

Civil Rights - Topic 1105

Discrimination - Civil proceedings - Costs - Spracklin, a former common law spouse, sought to constitutionally challenge the definition of "spouse" in provincial legislation affecting her claims - The Province of Alberta intervened to defend the definition of "spouse" in the Matrimonial Property Act - Spracklin sought an order requiring Alberta to provide interim costs in support of her constitutional challenge - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench directed that Alberta be impleaded as a party defendant (Alberta Rules of Court, rule 38) - The court stated that it was also making an order "... which is comparable to an interim order for costs against Alberta, but might perhaps be characterized as an order requiring Alberta to provide counsel for Spracklin in relation to her need for representation on the subject of the Constitutional challenge. It would not, in my view, be just to require Alberta to defray any other costs that Spracklin might have in the context of this case." - See paragraphs 1 to 91.

Constitutional Law - Topic 2987

Determination of validity of statutes or acts - Practice - Funding for interested parties - [See Civil Rights - Topic 1105 ].

Practice - Topic 7035.1

Costs - Party and party costs - Entitlement to - Against the Crown or governmental bodies - [See Civil Rights - Topic 1105 ].

Cases Noticed:

Spracklin v. Kichton (2000), 278 A.R. 27 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 4, footnote 1].

Taylor v. Rossu (1998), 216 A.R. 348; 175 W.A.C. 348 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 5, footnote 2].

Sand Estate, Re (2001), 287 A.R. 290 (Surr. Ct.), refd to. [para. 5, footnote 3].

Katz v. Katz (1993), 141 A.R. 287; 46 W.A.C. 287 (C.A.), refd to. [para.7, footnote 4].

P.M.M. v. R.W.M. (2000), 270 A.R. 336 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 7, footnote 5].

Miller v. Miller (2000), 257 A.R. 232 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 7, footnote 6].

Peter v. Beblow, [1993] 1 S.C.R. 980; 150 N.R. 1; 23 B.C.A.C. 81; 39 W.A.C. 81; [1993] 3 W.W.R. 337; 101 D.L.R.(4th) 621; 77 B.C.L.R.(2d) 1; 48 E.T.R. 1; 44 R.F.L.(3d) 329, reving. (1990), 29 R.F.L.(3d) 268; 50 B.C.L.R.(2d) 266; 39 E.T.R. 113; [1991] 1 W.W.R. 419 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 8, footnote 7].

Diebert v. Calder (2001) 289 A.R. 228; 14 R.F.L.(5th) 21 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 8, footnote 8].

Cameron Estate, Re (1999), 240 A.R. 341 (Surr. Ct.), refd to. [para. 8, footnote 9].

International Corona Resources Ltd. v. LAC Minerals Ltd., [1989] 2 S.C.R. 574; 101 N.R. 239; 36 O.A.C. 57; 61 D.L.R.(4th) 14; 35 E.T.R. 1; 44 B.L.R. 1, refd to. [para. 8, footnote 10].

Murdoch v. Murdoch, [1975] 1 S.C.R. 423; 13 R.F.L. 185; [1974] 1 W.W.R. 61, refd to. [para. 9, footnote 11].

Walsh v. Bona (2000), 183 N.S.R.(2d) 74; 568 A.P.R. 74; 186 D.L.R.(4th) 50 (C.A.), supplementary reasons (2000), 185 N.S.R.(2d) 190; 595 A.P.R. 190 (C.A.), leave to appeal granted (2001), 267 N.R. 391 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 9, footnote 12].

Gruending (Bankrupt), Re (1999), 239 A.R. 201 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 11, footnote 13].

Massingham-Pearce v. Konkolus (1995), 170 A.R. 10 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 11, footnote 14].

Reference Re Secession of Quebec, [1998] 2 S.C.R. 217; 228 N.R. 203; 161 D.L.R.(4th) 385, refd to. [para. 12, footnote 15].

R. v. Stone (B.T.) (1997), 87 B.C.A.C. 153; 143 W.A.C. 153; 6 C.R.(5th) 405 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 12, footnote 16].

Bauman et al. v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General) (2001), 192 N.S.R.(2d) 236; 599 A.P.R. 236; 197 D.L.R.(4th) 644 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15, footnote 18].

McDonald v. McDonald (1998), 223 A.R. 48; 183 W.A.C. 48 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 19, footnote 19].

Randle v. Randle (1999), 254 A.R. 323 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 23, footnote 21].

Modry v. Modry (1998), 231 A.R. 110 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 23, footnote 22].

Botha v. Botha (2000), 283 A.R. 201 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 23, footnote 23].

Woolworth Canada Inc. v. Human Rights Commission (Nfld.) and White (1995), 135 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 45; 420 A.P.R. 45 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 24, footnote 24].

M. v. H. (1994), 20 O.R.(3d) 70 (Gen. Div.), dist. [para. 25, footnote 25].

M. v. H., [1999] 2 S.C.R. 3; 238 N.R. 179; 121 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 25, footnote 26].

Marriage Act, Re, [2001] B.C.T.C. 53 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 26, footnote 27].

British Columbia (Minister of Forests) v. Okanagan Indian Band et al., [2000] B.C.T.C. 548 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 28, footnote 28].

Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc. v. National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers' Union of Canada (CAW-Canada) et al. (2000), 203 Sask.R. 86; 240 W.A.C. 86 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 36, footnote 29].

Ontario v. Canada (Board of Transport Commissioners), [1968] S.C.R. 118; 65 D.L.R.(2d) 425, refd to. [para. 39, footnote 30].

Northern Telecom Ltd. v. Communications Workers of Canada and Canada Labour Relations Board, [1980] 1 S.C.R. 115; 28 N.R. 107, affing. [1977] F.C. 406; 14 N.R. 489 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 39, footnote 31].

Eaton v. Board of Education of Brant County, [1997] 1 S.C.R. 241; 207 N.R. 171; 97 O.A.C. 161, reving. (1995), 77 O.A.C. 368; 22 O.R.(3d) 1; 123 D.L.R.(4th) 43; 27 C.R.R.(2d) 53 (C.A.), revd. (1994), 71 O.A.C. 69 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 39, footnote 32].

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Innisfil (Township) v. Vespra, Township of; South Simcoe Estates et al., [1981] 2 S.C.R. 145; 37 N.R. 43, refd to. [para. 42, footnote 36].

Strathcona (County) No. 20 v. Maclab Enterprises Ltd. et al., [1971] 3 W.W.R. 461; 20 D.L.R.(3d) 200 (Alta. C.A.), refd to. [para. 42, footnote 37].

Syncrude Canada Ltd. v. Michetti et al. (1994), 162 A.R. 16; 83 W.A.C. 16 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 42, footnote 38].

Vanton v. Council of Human Rights (B.C.) - see Garrow v. Vanton.

Garrow v. Vanton (1994), 25 Admin. L.R.(2d) 253 (B.C.S.C.), refd to. [para. 42, footnote 39].

Kane v. University of British Columbia, [1980] 1 S.C.R. 1105; 31 N.R. 214; 110 D.L.R.(3d) 311, refd to. [para. 42, footnote 40].

Knight v. Board of Education of Indian Head School Division No. 19, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 653; 106 N.R. 17; 83 Sask.R. 81; 43 Admin. L.R. 189, refd to. [para. 42, footnote 41].

Amoco Canada Petroleum Co. et al. v. Alberta and Southern Gas Co. et al. (1993), 140 A.R. 244; 10 Alta. L.R.(3d) 325 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 43, footnote 42].

Pan Canadian Petroleum Ltd. v. Husky Oil Operations Ltd. et al. (1994), 150 A.R. 237 (Q.B.), affd. (1994), 157 A.R. 265; 77 W.A.C. 265 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 43, footnote 43].

155569 Canada Ltd. v. 248524 Alberta Ltd. (1988), 93 A.R. 241 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 43, footnote 44].

Sooley v. Canadian Home Assurance Co. (1994), 115 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 47; 360 A.P.R. 47; 112 D.L.R.(4th) 160 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 46, footnote 45].

Eismann v. Stumpfegger (2000), 278 A.R. 312 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 47, footnote 46].

Hamilton-Wentworth v. Hamilton-Wentworth Save the Valley Committee Inc. and Limeridge Road Property Owners Interest Group Inc. (1985), 11 O.A.C. 8; 51 O.R.(2d) 23 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 47, footnote 47].

Sheena B., Re (1992), 58 O.A.C. 93; 96 D.L.R.(4th) 45 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 49, footnote 48].

Polglase v. Polglase (1979), 18 B.C.L.R. 294 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 50, footnote 50].

Ontario Hydro v. Labour Relations Board (Ont.) et al. (1989), 33 O.A.C. 303; 69 O.R.(2d) 268; 60 D.L.R.(4th) 542; 89 C.L.L.C. 14,014 (Div. Ct.), revd. (1991), 43 O.A.C. 183; 1 O.R.(3d) 737; 77 D.L.R.(4th) 277; 91 C.L.L.C. 14,014 (C.A.), affd. [1993] 3 S.C.R. 327; 66 O.A.C. 241; 158 N.R. 161, refd to. [para. 50, footnote 51].

Winters v. Legal Services Society (B.C.), [1999] 3 S.C.R. 160; 244 N.R. 203; 128 B.C.A.C. 161; 208 W.A.C. 161; 137 C.C.C.(3d) 371; 27 C.R.(5th) 1; [1999] 9 W.W.R. 327, reving. (1997), 92 B.C.A.C. 253; 150 W.A.C. 253 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 50, footnote 52].

Sheena B., Re, [1995] 1 S.C.R. 315; 176 N.R. 161; 78 O.A.C. 1; 122 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 51, footnote 53].

R. v. Paquette (No. 2) (1987), 83 A.R. 41 (C.A.), leave to appeal denied (1988), 88 N.R. 237; 85 A.R. 239 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 56, footnote 54].

Mackie v. Wolfe (1995), 169 A.R. 309; 97 W.A.C. 309; 31 Alta. L.R.(3d) 225 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 57, footnote 55].

Mackie v. Wolfe (1994), 159 A.R. 148; 21 Alta. L.R.(3d) 11 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 57, footnote 55].

Canada (Attorney General) v. Aluminum Co. of Canada Ltd. (1987), 35 D.L.R.(4th) 495; 10 B.C.L.R.(2d) 371 (C.A.), dist. [para. 60, footnote 57].

Harper v. Harper, [1980] 1 S.C.R. 2; 27 N.R. 554; 98 D.L.R.(3d) 600, refd to. [para. 60, footnote 58].

Janzen v. British Columbia (Attorney General) et al. (1993), 38 B.C.A.C. 268; 62 W.A.C. 268 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 60, footnote 59].

Cunningham v. Canada, [1993] 2 S.C.R. 143; 151 N.R. 161; 62 O.A.C. 243; 80 C.C.C.(3d) 492; 20 C.R.(4th) 57; 11 Admin. L.R.(2d) 1; 14 C.R.R.(2d) 234, refd to. [para. 61, footnote 60].

Pearlman v. Manitoba Law Society Judicial Committee, [1991] 2 S.C.R. 869; 130 N.R. 121; 75 Man.R.(2d) 81; 6 W.A.C. 81; 84 D.L.R.(4th) 105, affing., [1990] 1 W.W.R. 178; 59 Man.R.(2d) 255; 62 D.L.R.(4th) 681; 42 C.R.R. 342 (C.A.), affing. [1988] 3 W.W.R. 277; 51 Man.R.(2d) 151; 49 D.L.R.(4th) 42 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 61, footnote 61].

R. v. Mills (B.J.), [1999] 3 S.C.R. 668; 248 N.R. 101; 244 A.R. 201; 209 W.A.C. 201; 139 C.C.C.(3d) 321; 28 C.R.(5th) 207; [2000] 2 W.W.R. 180; 75 Alta. L.R.(3d) 1, reving. [1998] 4 W.W.R. 107; 207 A.R. 161; 12 C.R.(5th) 163 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 61, footnote 62].

R. v. Darrach (A.S.), [2000] 2 S.C.R. 443; 259 N.R. 336; 137 O.A.C. 91; 148 C.C.C.(3d) 97; 191 D.L.R.(4th) 539; 36 C.R.(5th) 223, affing. (1998), 107 O.A.C. 81; 122 C.C.C.(3d) 225; 13 C.R.(5th) 283 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 61, footnote 63].

Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada v. Minister of National Revenue (1997), 196 A.R. 179; 141 W.A.C. 179 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 61, footnote 64].

Rizzo & Rizzo Shoes Ltd. (Bankrupt), Re, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 27; 221 N.R. 241; 106 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 62, footnote 65].

R. v. D.O.L., [1993] 4 S.C.R. 419; 161 N.R. 1; 88 Man.R.(2d) 241; 51 W.A.C. 241; 25 C.R.(4th) 125; 85 C.C.C.(3d) 289; 18 C.R.R.(2d) 257, reving. (1992), 73 Man.R.(2d) 238; 6 C.R.(4th) 277; 65 C.C.C.(3d) 465 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 63, footnote 66].

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R. v. Rain (M.M.) (1998), 223 A.R. 359; 183 W.A.C. 359; 130 C.C.C.(3d) 167; [1999] 7 W.W.R. 652 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 74, footnote 71].

Mills v. Hardy, [2000] N.S.R.(2d) Uned. 65 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 74, footnote 72].

R. v. Robinson (C.J.), [2000] 3 W.W.R. 125; 250 A.R. 201; 213 W.A.C. 201; 142 C.C.C.(3d) 303; 31 C.R.(5th) 134; (C.A.), reving. (1998), 227 A.R. 328 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 74, footnote 73].

R. v. Dobson (P.M.) et al. (2000), 128 O.A.C. 290; 142 C.C.C.(3d) 134; 30 C.R.(5th) 282 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 74].

R. v. Branton (D.) et al. (2001), 144 O.A.C. 187 (C.A.), affing. [2000] O.T.C. 558 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 75, footnote 75].

R. v. Trask (W.S.), [1987] 2 S.C.R. 304; 79 N.R. 145; 68 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 271; 209 A.P.R. 271; 37 C.C.C.(3d) 92; 59 C.R.(3d) 179, refd to. [para. 76, footnote 76].

R. v. C.A.M., [1996] 1 S.C.R. 500; 194 N.R. 321; 73 B.C.A.C. 81; 120 W.A.C. 81; 105 C.C.C.(3d) 327; 46 C.R.(4th) 269, reving. (1994), 40 B.C.A.C. 7; 65 W.A.C. 7; 28 C.R.(3d) 106 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 76, footnote 77].

Lavigne v. Ontario Public Service Employees' Union et al., [1991] 2 S.C.R. 211; 126 N.R. 161; 48 O.A.C. 241, affing. (1989), 31 O.A.C. 40; 67 O.R.(2d) 536; 56 D.L.R.(4th) 474; 37 C.R.R. 193; 89 C.L.L.C. 14,011 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 77, footnote 78].

Young v. Young et al., [1993] 4 S.C.R. 3; 160 N.R. 1; 34 B.C.A.C. 161; 56 W.A.C. 161; [1993] 8 W.W.R. 513; 108 D.L.R.(4th) 193; 49 R.F.L.(3d) 117, refd to. [para. 77, footnote 79].

Fortin v. Barreau du Québec (2000), 272 N.R. 359 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 81, footnote 80].

Law v. Minister of Employment and Immigration, [1999] 1 S.C.R. 497; 236 N.R. 1; 170 D.L.R.(4th) 1, affd. (1996), 196 N.R. 73; 135 D.L.R.(4th) 293 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 81, footnote 82].

R. v. McGibbon (1989), 31 O.A.C. 10; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 334 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 82, footnote 82].

R. v. Romanowicz (J.) (1999), 124 O.A.C. 100; 138 C.C.C.(3d) 225; 26 C.R.(5th) 246; 45 M.V.R.(3d) 294 (C.A.), affing. (1998), 49 O.T.C. 58; 14 C.R.(5th) 100 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 82, footntoe 82].

R. v. Wood (J.D.) (2001), 191 N.S.R.(2d) 201; 596 A.P.R. 201 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 82, footnote 84].

Statutes Noticed:

Judicature Act, R.S.A. 1980, c. J-1, sect. 25(3) [para. 54]; sect. 25(5) [para. 57].

Rules of Court (Alta), rule 38(3) [para. 37].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Bendin, Patrick, Governmental Interventions in Constitutional Litigation: An Analysis of Section 25 of the Judicature Act (1991:2), 29 Alta. Law Rev. 450, p. 453 [para. 14, footnote 17].

Hogg, Peter W., Constitutional Law in Canada (3rd Ed. 1985) (Looseleaf), vol. 2, c. 57, generally [para. 40, footnote 35].

Muldoon, Paul, Law of Intervention: Status and Practice (1989), generally [para. 22, footnote 20].

Counsel:

Brenda Stothert-Kennedy (Pollock Stothert-Kennedy), for Denise Roxanne Spracklin;

Rod Hall (Hall & Burchak), for Michael James Kichton, Vera Kicton and Kichton Holdings Ltd.;

Margaret Unsworth (Alberta Justice), for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

This matter was heard before Watson, J., J., of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial District of Edmonton, who delivered the following decision on July 23, 2001.