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Beyond Dunsmuir: Clarity on the Standard of Review from Saguenay
Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press
  • Diana Ginn, Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law
  • Greg Johannson, Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Keywords
  • Saguenay,
  • Dunsmuir,
  • Standard of Review,
  • Adjudicator Expertise,
  • Questions of Law
Abstract

Diana Ginn and Gregory Johannson The recent Supreme Court of Canada decision Mouvement laique qudbicois v. Saguenay (City) is a noteworthy administrative law case, providing meaningful guidance on applying the standard of review analysis from New Brunswick (Board of Management) v. Dunsmuir. Two aspects of Saguenay in particular contribute to the development of administrative law jurisprudence. First, Saguenay confirms that general questions of law that are "of central importance to the legal system as a whole and outside the adjudicator's specialized area of expertise" do in fact exist and are not merely a theoretical category. Second, the majority decision seems to lay to rest the notion that disaggregation of issues is never appropriate; sometimes it will be legitimate to separate out different aspects of an administrative decision and apply different standards of review. Other elements of Saguenay are useful confirmations of established administrative law principles. These include the importance accorded to the nature of the question in the determination of standard of review and the unified approach to be taken to all substantive review of administrative decision making, irrespective of whether a decision is challenged by way of judicial review or statutory appeal.

Comments

https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/aqrty44&i=545

Citation Information
Diana Ginn & Greg Johannson, "Beyond Dunsmuir: Clarity on the Standard of Review from Saguenay" (2015) 44:4 Advocates' Q 527.