Wynberg et al. v. Ontario, [2005] O.T.C. 240 (SC)

• Judge: Kiteley, J.
• Court: Superior Court of Justice of Ontario (Canada)
• Case Date: March 30, 2005
• Jurisdiction: Ontario
• Citations: [2005] O.T.C. 240 (SC)

Wynberg v. Ont., [2005] O.T.C. 240 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2005] O.T.C. TBEd. AP.023

Wynberg et al. (plaintiffs) v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario (defendant)

(Court File No. 00CV184608CM)

Deskin et al. (plaintiffs) v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario (defendant)

(Court File No. 99CV177616)

Indexed As: Wynberg et al. v. Ontario

Court of Ontario

Superior Court of Justice

Kiteley, J.

March 30, 2005.

Summary:

This headnote contains no summary.

Civil Rights - Topic 919

Discrimination - Family status - Parents of disabled children - See paragraphs 17 to 29 and 538 to 743.

Civil Rights - Topic 929

Discrimination - Government programs - On the basis of age - See paragraphs 17 to 29 and 538 to 743.

Civil Rights - Topic 938

Discrimination - Government programs - Health and social services - See paragraphs 17 to 29, 538 to 743 and 757 to 780.

Civil Rights - Topic 960.1

Discrimination - Mental or physical disability - General - See paragraphs 693 to 739.

Civil Rights - Topic 1208.3

Security of the person - General - Education - See paragraphs 17 to 29, 539 and 744 to 756.

Civil Rights - Topic 1400

Security of the person - Health care (incl. mental health) - Denial of (incl. funding for) - See paragraphs 757 to 768.

Civil Rights - Topic 8348

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Application - Exceptions - Reasonable limits prescribed by law (Charter, s. 1) - See paragraphs 17 to 29, 556 to 558 and 622 to 692.

Civil Rights - Topic 8375

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Denial of rights - Remedies - Damages - See paragraphs 17 to 29 and 787 to 812.

Civil Rights - Topic 8380.25

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Denial of rights - Remedies - Declaration of rights - See paragraphs 17 to 29, 781 to 786 and 807 to 808.

Civil Rights - Topic 8672

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Equality rights (s. 15) - Analogous categories - See paragraphs 24, 538 to 555, 704 to 729 and 774 to 780.

Education - Topic 5401

Students - "Exceptional" students - General - See paragraphs 336 to 536.

Education - Topic 5402

Students - "Exceptional" students - Programs and services (incl. remedies) - See paragraphs 17 to 29 and 538 to 869.

Education - Topic 5407

Students - "Exceptional" students - Funding - See paragraphs 17 to 29 and 538 to 869.

Torts - Topic 9163

Duty of care - Particular relationships - Claims against public officials, authorities or boards - Education authorities - See paragraphs 17 to 29, 487 to 515 and 813 to 869.

Cases Noticed:

Auton et al. v. British Columbia (Minister of Health) et al. (2004), 327 N.R. 1; 206 B.C.A.C. 1; 338 W.A.C. 1; 2004 SCC 78, refd to. [para. 330, endnote 15].

Law v. Minister of Employment and Immigration, [1999] 1 S.C.R. 497; 236 N.R. 1; 170 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 543, endnote 18].

Granovsky v. Minister of Employment and Immigration, [2000] 1 S.C.R. 703; 253 N.R. 329, refd to. [para. 546, endnote 546].

Andrews v. Law Society of British Columbia, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 143; 91 N.R. 255; 56 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 547, endnote 20].

RJR-MacDonald Inc. et Imperial Tobacco Ltd. v. Canada (Procureur général), [1994] 1 S.C.R. 311; 164 N.R. 1; 60 Q.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 548, endnote 21].

Hodge v. Canada (Minister of Human Resources Development) (2004), 326 N.R. 201; 2004 SCC 65, refd to. [para. 551, endnote 22].

Gosselin v. Quebec (Procureur général), [2002] 4 S.C.R. 429; 298 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 553, endnote 23].

R. v. Oakes, [1986] 1 S.C.R. 103; 65 N.R. 87; 14 O.A.C. 335, refd to. [para. 557, endnote 24].

McKinney v. University of Guelph et al., [1990] 3 S.C.R. 229; 118 N.R. 1; 45 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 576, endnote 25].

Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Allies et al. v. Ontario et al., [2000] 1 S.C.R. 950; 255 N.R. 1; 134 O.A.C. 201, refd to. [para. 589, endnote 27].

Lovelace v. Ontario - see Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Allies et al. v. Ontario et al.

Egan and Nesbit v. Canada, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 513; 182 N.R. 161, refd to. [para. 607, endnote 28].

Ontario Film and Video Appreciation Society and Ontario Board of Censors, Re (1983), 147 D.L.R.(3d) 58 (Ont. Div. Ct.), affd. (1984), 2 O.A.C. 388; 5 D.L.R.(4th) 766 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 627, endnotes 29, 30].

R. v. Therens, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 613; 59 N.R. 122; 40 Sask.R. 122, refd to. [para. 628, endnote 31].

Davidson v. Slaight Communications Inc., [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1038; 93 N.R. 183, refd to. [para. 629, endnote 32].

Committee for the Commonwealth of Canada et al. v. Canada, [1991] 1 S.C.R. 139; 120 N.R. 241, refd to. [para. 632, endnote 33].

Eldridge et al. v. British Columbia (Attorney General) et al., [1997] 3 S.C.R. 624; 218 N.R. 161; 96 B.C.A.C. 81; 155 W.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 633, endnote 34].

Cameron v. Nova Scotia (Attorney General) et al. (1999), 204 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 639 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 634, endnote 35].

Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium et al. v. Canada (Minister of Justice) et al., [2000] 2 S.C.R. 1120; 263 N.R. 203; 145 B.C.A.C. 1; 237 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 636, endnote 36].

M. v. H. [1999] 2 S.C.R. 3; 238 N.R. 179; 121 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 643, endnote 37].

Newfoundland (Treasury Board) v. Newfoundland Association of Public Employees (2004), 326 N.R. 25; 242 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 113; 719 A.P.R. 113; 2004 SCC 66, refd to. [para. 670, endnote 38].

Workers' Compensation Board (N.S.) v. Martin et al., [2003] 2 S.C.R. 504; 310 N.R. 22; 217 N.S.R.(2d) 301; 683 A.P.R. 301, refd to. [para. 670, endnote 39].

Roberts et al. v. Ontario et al. (1994), 73 O.A.C. 20; 19 O.R.(3d) 387 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 676, endnote 40].

Human Rights Commission (Ont.) v. Ontario - see Roberts et al. v. Ontario et al.

R. v. Sharpe (J.R.), [2001] 1 S.C.R. 45; 264 N.R. 201; 146 B.C.A.C. 161; 239 W.A.C. 161; 150 C.C.C.(3d) 321, refd to. [para. 684, endnote 41].

Human Rights Commission (Ont.) and O'Malley v. Simpsons-Sears, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 536; 64 N.R. 161; 12 O.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 689, endnote 43].

Adler et al. v. Ontario et al., [1996] 3 S.C.R. 609; 204 N.R. 81; 95 O.A.C. 1; 140 D.L.R.(4th) 385, refd to. [para. 696, endnote 44].

Sauvé v. Canada (Chief Electoral Officer) et al., [2002] 3 S.C.R. 519; 294 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 725, endnote 45].

Sheena B., Re, [1995] 1 S.C.R. 315; 176 N.R. 161; 78 O.A.C. 1; 9 R.F.L.(4th) 157; 26 C.R.R.(2d) 202; 122 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 747, endnote 46].

R.B. v. Children's Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto - see Sheena B., Re.

Blencoe v. Human Rights Commission (B.C.) et al., [2000] 2 S.C.R. 307; 260 N.R. 1; 141 B.C.A.C. 161; 231 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 748, endnote 47].

New Brunswick (Minister of Health and Community Services) v. J.G. and D.V., [1999] 3 S.C.R. 46; 244 N.R. 276; 216 N.B.R.(2d) 25; 552 A.P.R. 25; 177 D.L.R.(4th) 124, refd to. [para. 749, endnote 48].

Thibaudeau v. Minister of National Revenue, [1994] 2 F.C. 189; 167 N.R. 61 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 774, endnote 49].

Manitoba Language Rights Reference, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 721; 59 N.R. 321; 35 Man.R.(2d) 83, refd to. [para. 785, endnote 50].

Welbridge Holdings Ltd. v. Greater Winnipeg (Municipality), [1971] S.C.R. 957, refd to. [para. 794, endnote 51].

Doucet-Boudreau et al. v. Nova Scotia (Minister of Education) et al., [2003] 3 S.C.R. 3; 312 N.R. 1; 218 N.S.R.(2d) 311; 687 A.P.R. 311, refd to. [para. 798, endnote 52].

R. v. Mills, [1986] 1 S.C.R. 863; 67 N.R. 241; 16 O.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 798, endnote 798].

Anns v. Merton London Borough Council, [1978] A.C. 728 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 828, endnote 54].

Cooper v. Registrar of Mortgage Brokers (B.C.) et al., [2001] 3 S.C.R. 537; 277 N.R. 113; 160 B.C.A.C. 268; 261 W.A.C. 268; 206 D.L.R.(4th) 193, refd to. [para. 832, endnote 55].

Cooper v. Hobart - see Cooper v. Registrar of Mortgage Brokers (B.C.) et al.

Edwards et al. v. Law Society of Upper Canada et al. (2001), 277 N.R. 145; 153 O.A.C. 388; 206 D.L.R.(4th) 211 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 832, endnote 56].

Larcade v. Ontario (Minister of Community and Social Services), [2003] O.T.C. 539; 65 O.R.(3d) 289 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 832, endnote 57].

Mitchell v. Ontario (2004), 188 O.A.C. 385 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 832, endnote 58].

Deep v. Ontario et al., [2004] O.T.C. 541 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 832, endnote 832].

Nielsen v. Kamloops (City) and Hughes, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 2; 54 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 833, endnote 60].

Kennedy et al. v. Board of Education of Waterloo County (1999), 122 O.A.C. 122 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 833, endnote 61].

Ingles v. Tutkaluk Construction Ltd. et al., [2000] 1 S.C.R. 298; 251 N.R. 63; 130 O.A.C. 201, refd to. [para. 833, endnote 62].

Yelle v. Children's Aid Society of Ottawa-Carleton et al., [2002] O.T.C. 627; 218 D.L.R.(4th) 168 (Sup. Ct.), refd to. [para. 833, endnote 63].

Rogers et al. v. Faught et al. (2002), 159 O.A.C. 79 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 841, endnote 64].

Wilsher v. Essex Area Health Authority, [1988] 2 W.L.R. 557; 87 N.R. 140 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 847, endnote 65].

Snell v. Farrell, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 311; 110 N.R. 200; 107 N.B.R.(2d) 94; 267 A.P.R. 94; 72 D.L.R.(4th) 289, refd to. [para. 847, endnote 66].

Athey v. Leonati et al., [1996] 3 S.C.R. 458; 203 N.R. 36; 81 B.C.A.C. 243; 132 W.A.C. 243; 140 D.L.R.(4th) 235, refd to. [para. 848, endnote 68].

McGhee v. National Coal Board, [1972] 3 All E.R. 1008 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 848, endnote 69].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 1 [para. 7 et seq.]; sect. 7, sect. 15 [para. 2 et seq.]; sect. 24 [para. 8 et seq.].

Child and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C-11, sect. 7(1), sect. 7(2) [para. 568].

Authors and Works Noticed:

American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV (4th Ed. 1994), generally [para. 33].

Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E., and Elderik, S., Intensive behavioural treatment at school for 4-7 year old children with autism (2002), 26(1) Behaviour Modification, pp. 49 to 68 [para. 306, endnote 13].

Fenske, E.C., Zalenski, S., Krantz, P.J., and McClannahan, L.E., Age at intervention and treatment outcome for autistic children in a comprehensive intervention program (1985), 5 Analysis and Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, pp. 49 to 58 [para. 304, endnote 11].

Harris, J.S., and Handleman, S.L., Age and IQ at intake as predictors of placement for young children with autism: a 4-6 year follow-up (2000), 30(2) J. of Autism and Developmental Disorders, pp. 137 to 142 [para. 305, endnote 12].

Hogg, Peter W., Constitutional Law of Canada (1997 Looseleaf Ed.), generally [para. 578]; pp. 35-38, 35-39 [para. 685, endnote 42]; 52 to 55, s. 52.13 [para. 576, endnote 26].

Jacobson, John W., Mulick, J.A., and Green, G., Risk-cost-benefit analysis of intensive early intervention for young children with autism (1996), generally [para. 75, endnote 6].

Jacobson, John W., Mulick, J.A., and Green, G., Cost-benefit estimates for early intensive behavioural intervention for young children with autism - general model and single state case (1998), Behavioral Intervent 13, pp. 201 to 226 [paras. 75, 309, endnotes 6, 14].

Katz, Eli, et al., An Examination and Quantification of the Economic Consequences of Expanding the Scope of the Current Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI) Treatment Program for Autistic Children, generally [para. 651 et seq.].

Klar, Lewis N., Tort Law (3rd Ed. 2003) p. 153 [para. 848, endnote 67].

Lovaas, O.I., Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children (1987), 55(1) J. of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, pp. 3 to 9 [para. 296, endnote 9].

Lovaas, Koegel, Simmons and Long, Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy (1973), 6 J. of Applied Behavior Analysis, pp. 131 to 166 [para. 296, endnote 8].

Maurice, Catherine, Let Me Hear You Voice: A Family's Triumph Over Autism (1993), generally [para. 67, endnote 5].

McEachin, J.J., Smith, T., and Lovaas, O.I., Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment (1993), 97(4) American J. on Mental Retardation, pp. 359 to 372 [para. 297, endnote 10].

McCain and Mustard Report - see Ontario, Final Report of the Early Years Study.

National Research Council, Educating Children with Autism (2001), generally [para. 414, endnote 17].

Ontario, Final Report of the Early Years Study (McCain and Mustard Report) (1999), generally [paras. 130, 131].

Ontario, Human Rights Commission, Education and Disability: Human Rights Issues in Ontario's Education System, Consultation Paper (2002), generally [para. 531].

Ontario, Human Rights Commission, The Opportunity to Succeed: Achieving Barrier-Free Education For Students with Disabilities, Consultation Report (2003), generally [para. 531].

Ontario, Minister of Education, Special Education: A Guide for Educators (2002), generally [paras. 232].

Siegel, Bryna, Helping Children with Autism Learn: Treatment Approaches for Parents and Professionals (2003), generally [paras. 41, 414, endnotes 4, 16].

Counsel:

Mary Eberts and Jonathan Strug, for the plaintiffs, Wynberg et al.;

Paul M. Mann and Pheroze J.K. Jeejeebhoy, for the plaintiffs, Deskin et al.;

Robert Charney and Sarah Kraicer, for the defendant.

This case was heard before Kiteley, J., of the Ontario Superior Court, who released the following decision on March 30, 2005.

Please note: The following judgment has not been edited.