Comité Régional des Usagers v. Q.U.C.T.C.

Comité Régional des Usagers v. Q.U.C.T.C.

The court held that art.1003(b) requires only that the alleged facts disclose a good colour of right to authorize a class action, not a definitive adjudication on the legal merits; further the Transit Commission owed users a duty of conveyance under Civil Code art.1673, the handbook's 'passes not refundable' statement did not preclude monetary compensation, and failure to put the respondent in default did not bar the action because commencement of suit constitutes default under art.1067 C.C.; accordingly the Court allowed the appeal and restored the Superior Court's authorization.

Citation
[1981] 1 SCR 424
Parties
Appellant (representative of Pass Holders): Comité régional des usagers des transports en commun de Québec; Respondent: Quebec Urban Community Transit Commission (Q.U.C.T.C.)
Court
Supreme Court of Canada
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
11 May 1981
Procedural Posture
Class Action Authorization (civil Procedure) / Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada From the Court of Appeal for Quebec
Outcome
Appeal allowed; decision of the Court of Appeal reversed; judgment of the Superior Court restored
Legal Topics
Class Action Authorization, Colour of Right, Obligation of Carrier (conveyance), Default (mise En Demeure), Interpretation of Procedural Provisions
Source Language
English
Civil Procedure Contract Law Transport Law Civil Liability (quebec Civil Law) Class Action Authorization Colour of Right Obligation of Carrier (conveyance) Default (mise En Demeure) +1 more

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Parties

Comité régional des usagers des transports en commun de Québec

Appellant (representative of Pass Holders)

Quebec Urban Community Transit Commission (Q.U.C.T.C.)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Class Action Authorization (civil Procedure) / Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada From the Court of Appeal for Quebec

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether art.1003(b) C.C.P. requires the court to decide merits in law or only a prima facie 'colour of right' to authorize a class action
  2. 2 Whether the Transit Commission owed a legal obligation to pass holders under Civil Code art.1673
  3. 3 Whether an express handbook clause 'Passes are not refundable' precludes monetary compensation for failure to provide service

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that art.1003(b) requires only that the alleged facts disclose a good colour of right to authorize a class action, not a definitive adjudication on the legal merits; further the Transit Commission owed users a duty of conveyance under Civil Code art.1673, the handbook's 'passes not refundable' statement did not preclude monetary compensation, and failure to put the respondent in default did not bar the action because commencement of suit constitutes default under art.1067 C.C.; accordingly the Court allowed the appeal and restored the Superior Court's authorization.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; decision of the Court of Appeal reversed; judgment of the Superior Court restored

Orders

  • Appeal allowed with costs in all courts
  • Judgment of the Superior Court authorizing the class action restored