R. v. Barreau

R. v. Barreau

The Court held the third‑party records regime did not apply to the alleged oral statements and, on the facts, did not bar disclosure of the draft statement of claim because settlement and mediation privilege did not attach; the trial judge did not commit jurisdictional error or error of law in issuing the subpoena...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2021 ONCA 918
Parties
Respondent: Her Majesty the Queen; Respondent: Kevin Barreau; Appellant: J.R.; Appellant: Toronto Police Service
Court
Court of Appeal for Ontario
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
21 December 2021
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal From Superior Court Dismissal of Certiorari Application; Court of Appeal Hearing and Judgment (appeal Dismissed)
Outcome
Appeal dismissed.
Legal Topics
Third‑party Records Regime, Subpoena to Testify, Settlement and Mediation Privilege, Privacy/publication Restrictions, Certiorari, Charter Application, Interests of Justice
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Evidence Procedural Law Third‑party Records Regime Subpoena to Testify Settlement and Mediation Privilege Privacy/publication Restrictions Certiorari +2 more

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Parties

Her Majesty the Queen

Respondent

Kevin Barreau

Respondent

J.R.

Appellant

Toronto Police Service

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal From Superior Court Dismissal of Certiorari Application; Court of Appeal Hearing and Judgment (appeal Dismissed)

  1. 1 Whether the third‑party records regime in ss.278.1‑278.9 of the Criminal Code applied to (a) oral statements by a former officer and (b) a draft statement of claim;
  2. 2 Whether settlement and mediation privilege protected the draft statement of claim;
  3. 3 Whether the trial judge erred in issuing a subpoena requiring J.R. to testify;

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held the third‑party records regime did not apply to the alleged oral statements and, on the facts, did not bar disclosure of the draft statement of claim because settlement and mediation privilege did not attach; the trial judge did not commit jurisdictional error or error of law in issuing the subpoena or ordering production, and even if the regime applied the statutory criteria supported production in the interests of justice; accordingly the appeal is dismissed and the lower unsealing and set‑aside orders are now in force.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed.

Orders

  • Interim stay dated August 9, 2021 set aside
  • Unsealing and set aside orders made by Copeland J. at paras. 29(ii) and (iii) of her endorsement dated July 27, 2021 are now in force