Canada Judgment

Federal Court

Edward Anthony Meyer©™ v. The Queen

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Professional case brief

Research organized from the available case record

Source document

01

Holding and result

The appeal is dismissed because the Statement of Claim is incomprehensible, pleads no facts against the Crown, discloses no reasonable cause of action within the Court's jurisdiction and cannot be amended to succeed; the Crown owes no duty to enforce a private dispute; costs of $300 awarded to the Defendant.

Court disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Dismissal of appeal
  • Statement of Claim struck out without leave to amend
  • Costs to Defendant fixed at $300

02

Material facts

Parties

EDWARD ANTHONY MEYER©™

Plaintiff Counsel: Edward Anthony Meyer (self-represented)

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

Defendant Counsel: Kirat Khalsa; William F. Pentney (Deputy Attorney General of Canada)

Amounts and remedies

  • Costs Awarded to Defendant: CAD 300

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Appeal From Interlocutory Order Striking Statement of Claim / Decision on Appeal

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
Plaintiff sought an order requiring the Crown to enforce provisions of the Bills of Exchange Act against CIBC Mortgages Inc.; his principal complaint is against CIBC and he commenced action against Her Majesty to force enforcement.
Respondent
Defendant submitted the Statement of Claim is incomprehensible, contains no allegations against the Crown, discloses no reasonable cause of action within the Court's jurisdiction, and that enforcement of private disputes against a bank is not the Crown's duty; sought costs.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Common law / Federal Court practice

    A Statement of Claim that does not disclose a reasonable cause of action may be struck out.

  2. 02

    Common law; as applied in this decision

    The Crown has no duty to enforce private disputes between private parties beyond providing courts in which such disputes may be litigated.

  3. 03

    Federal Court practice / discretion of the court

    A successful party is generally entitled to costs.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The appeal is dismissed because the Statement of Claim is incomprehensible, pleads no facts against the Crown, discloses no reasonable cause of action within the Court's jurisdiction and cannot be amended to succeed; the Crown owes no duty to enforce a private dispute; costs of $300 awarded to the Defendant.

Obiter and limits

  • The Plaintiff's dispute appears to be with CIBC Mortgages Inc., not the Crown.
  • There was no ongoing litigation between the Plaintiff and CIBC at the time, though CIBC may take steps.
  • The Court expressed hope the Defendant will show compassion in deciding whether to recover the awarded costs.

Court disposition

Appeal dismissed

  • Dismissal of appeal
  • Statement of Claim struck out without leave to amend
  • Costs to Defendant fixed at $300

Source and reliance status

Federal Court · 23 April 2013

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Judgment reading view

Judgment text

The complete available source text.

Source document

Federal Court

Judgment· 23 April 2013

2013 FC 406

Edward Anthony Meyer©™ v. The Queen Court (s) Database Federal Court Decisions Date 2013-04-23 Neutral citation 2013 FC 406 File numbers T-107-13 Decision Content Date: 20130423 Docket: T-107-13 Citation: 2013 FC 406 Vancouver, British Columbia, April 23, 2013 PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Zinn BETWEEN: EDWARD ANTHONY MEYER©™ Plaintiff and

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Defendant

REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER [1] The Plaintiff appeals the March 8, 2013 Order of Prothonotary Roger R. Lafrenière, striking out his Statement of Claim, without leave to amend. [2] The reasons for the order are summarized by the Prothonotary in the following passages: No useful purpose would be serviced [sic] by summarizing the allegations in the Statement of Claim. First, the allegations are incomprehensible. Second, there are no allegations made against the Crown Defendant. Third, to the extent that the Plaintiff may have a complaint, it appears that it arises from his dealings with his bank, CIBC. The Statement of Claim plainly and obviously does not disclose a reasonable cause of action against the Crown Defendant, let alone a cause of action within this Court’s jurisdiction. Being substantially in agreement with the written representations filed on behalf of the Defendant, which I adopt and make mine, I conclude that the Statement of Claim should be struck out, without leave to amend. [3] The Plaintiff’s principal complaint, as was admitted by him, is against CIBC Mortgages Inc. He acknowledged that there is presently no ongoing litigation between CIBC Mortgages Inc. and the Plaintiff, although steps may soon be taken in that regard by CIBC Mortgages Inc. [4] The Plaintiff commenced the present action against Her Majesty in an effort, it appears, to require that she enforce

those provisions of the Bills of Exchange Act against CIBC Mortgages Inc. which the Plaintiff says it has violated. Whether those provisions have been violated or not is a matter between the Plaintiff and CIBC Mortgages Inc. There is no duty on Her Majesty to act in what is essentially a private dispute, except perhaps to establish law courts in which such disputes can be litigated. That she has done. [5] The Statement of Claim pleads no facts against Her Majesty and, as such, it is plain and obvious that it cannot succeed and must be struck. Further, as I understand the Plaintiff’s claims against Her Majesty, the Statement of Claim cannot be amended to allege a claim that has any possibility of success. Accordingly, this appeal must be dismissed. [6] The Defendant seeks it costs of this appeal, in the amount of $300. The Plaintiff impressed upon the court his current financial situation, which no doubt has led in part to his dispute with CIBC Mortgages Inc.; however, a successful party is generally entitled to its costs and I so order. Whether the Defendant takes any steps to recover those costs is a matter to be left to the discretion of the Defendant, with a hope that it will show some compassion for the Plaintiff. THIS COURT ORDERS that the appeal is dismissed, with costs to the Defendant fixed at $300. “Russel W. Zinn” Judge

FEDERAL COURT

SOLICITORS OF RECORD DOCKET: T-107-13 STYLE OF CAUSE: EDWARD ANTHONY MEYER©™ v HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN PLACE OF HEARING: Vancouver, BC DATE OF HEARING: April 22, 2013

REASONS FOR ORDER AND ORDER: ZINN J. DATED: April 23, 2013 APPEARANCES: Edward Anthony Meyer

FOR THE APPLICANT (ON HIS OWN BEHALF) Kirat Khalsa

FOR THE RESPONDENT SOLICITORS OF RECORD: Edward Anthony Meyer Vancouver, BC

FOR THE APPLICANT (ON HIS OWN BEHALF) William F. Pentney Deputy Attorney General of Canada Vancouver, BC

FOR THE RESPONDENT

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Authorities

Authorities used by the court

Cases, legislation, regulations, and constitutional provisions identified in the available record.

Bills of Exchange Act

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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