Canadian National Railway Company v. Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Canadian National Railway Company v. Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Scott remains binding: because section 40 of the Canada Transportation Act provides an adequate alternate remedy by way of petition to the Governor in Council and section 18.5 of the Federal Courts Act bars judicial review to the extent of such statutory appeals, this Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain CN's...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2025 FCA 160
Parties
Applicant: Canadian National Railway Company; Respondent: Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc.
Court
Federal Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
9 September 2025
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Application Dismissed for Lack of Jurisdiction
Outcome
Application for judicial review dismissed for lack of jurisdiction; costs awarded to respondent.
Legal Topics
Judicial Review, Jurisdiction, Adequate Alternate Remedy, Governor in Council Appeals, Privative Clause, Section 18.5 Federal Courts Act, Section 40 Canada Transportation Act
Source Language
en
Administrative Law Constitutional Law Transportation Law Administrative Appeals Judicial Review Jurisdiction Adequate Alternate Remedy Governor in Council Appeals +3 more

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Parties

Canadian National Railway Company

Applicant

Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Application Dismissed for Lack of Jurisdiction

  1. 1 Whether the Federal Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear a judicial review of factual findings of the Canadian Transportation Agency
  2. 2 Whether section 18.5 of the Federal Courts Act unlawfully ousts constitutional judicial review
  3. 3 Whether section 40 of the Canada Transportation Act provides an adequate alternate remedy by allowing petition to the Governor in Council

Ratio Decidendi

Scott remains binding: because section 40 of the Canada Transportation Act provides an adequate alternate remedy by way of petition to the Governor in Council and section 18.5 of the Federal Courts Act bars judicial review to the extent of such statutory appeals, this Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain CN's judicial review of the Agency's factual findings and the application is dismissed.

Court Disposition

Application for judicial review dismissed for lack of jurisdiction; costs awarded to respondent.

Orders

  • Application for judicial review dismissed with costs.
  • This Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the application by virtue of section 18.5 of the Federal Courts Act and the availability of the remedy under section 40 of the Canada Transportation Act.