Case information
Conduct a refined search of the Supreme Court of Canada database to obtain details on the status of a matter before the Court.
37011
Terese Hafichuk-Walkin, et al. v. BCE Inc., et al.
(Manitoba) (Civil) (By Leave)
Docket
Judgments on applications for leave to appeal are rendered by the Court, but are not necessarily unanimous.
| Date | Proceeding | Filed By (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-12-30 | Close file on Leave | |
| 2016-12-23 | Copy of formal judgment sent to Registrar of the Court of Appeal and all parties | |
| 2016-12-23 | Judgment on leave sent to the parties | |
| 2016-12-22 |
Judgment of the Court on the application for leave to appeal, The application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Manitoba, Number AI14-30-08244, 2016 MBCA 32, dated March 14, 2016, is dismissed with costs. Dismissed, with costs |
|
| 2016-11-21 | All materials on application for leave submitted to the Judges, CJ Wa Ga | |
| 2016-11-07 | Correspondence received from, Michael H. Lubetsky dated 2016-11-07. Re:Filiing of a decision from the Queen's Bench Court. Joint with 36468 and 36899. | AT&T Canada Inc. |
| 2016-06-22 | Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, Reply to Bell, Completed on: 2016-06-22 | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
| 2016-06-22 | Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, Reply to Rogers, Completed on: 2016-06-22 | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
| 2016-06-20 | Certificate (on limitations to public access) | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
| 2016-06-20 | Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, Reply to MTS, Completed on: 2016-06-20 | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
| 2016-06-14 | Certificate (on limitations to public access) | BCE Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), Respondent, Rogers Communications to clarify the names of the corporate entities., (Electronic version filed on 2016-06-13) | Microcell Telecommunications Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Rogers Cantel Inc., Rogers Wireless Inc., Rogers AT&T Wireless |
| 2016-06-13 | Supplemental document, (Book Form), Consolideted compendium join with 36468 and 36899. | BCE Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Book of authorities, (Book Form), book of authorities join with 36468 and 36899. | BCE Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), (Electronic version filed on 2016-06-10) | AT&T Canada Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Notice of name, (Letter Form), (Electronic version filed on 2016-06-10) | AT&T Canada Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, (Book Form), joint response with 36468 and 36899., Completed on: 2016-06-13, (Electronic version filed on 2016-06-10) | AT&T Canada Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Notice of name | BCE Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, Completed on: 2016-06-13 | BCE Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Notice of name, (Included in the respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal) | MTS Communications Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Included in the respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal) | MTS Communications Inc. |
| 2016-06-13 | Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, Completed on: 2016-06-13 | MTS Communications Inc. |
| 2016-05-17 | Letter acknowledging receipt of an incomplete application for leave to appeal and without formal Court of Appeal order, File opened on 2016-05-17 | |
| 2016-05-16 | Correspondence received from, Anthony Tibbs dated 2016-05-13. Re: Similar issues in 36899 & 36468 | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
| 2016-05-16 | Certificate (on limitations to public access) | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
| 2016-05-16 | Application for leave to appeal, C/A order missing - Rec'd on 2016-06-23, Completed on: 2016-06-23 | Terese Hafichuk-Walkin |
Parties
Please note that in the case of closed files, the “Status” column reflects the status of the parties at the time of the proceedings. For more information about the proceedings and about the dates when the file was open, please consult the docket of the case in question.
Main parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hafichuk-Walkin, Terese | Applicant | Active |
| Mark Burk, Vivian Malay, Reuben Schucher, Steve Drover, Shelley Frank, John Gillis, Apartment Laundry Services Ltd., Mark Frey, Trudy Betthel, Bryan Pawlachuk, Nathalie Pawlachuk, D & S Homes Ltd., Jennifer Evenson, Danielle Favreau, Jeff Ledding | Applicant | Active |
| Jessica Cordingley, Alison Weinberger, Terry Parker, Carol Walker, Cindy Belton, Leigh Edmunds, Lauren Tomashich, Stan Pappas, Amanda Donald, Richard Skuce, Lant Lutterodt, John Doe I, John Doe II, John Doe III, John Doe IV, Jane Doe I, Jane Doe II | Applicant | Active |
| Jane Doe III, Jane Doe IV, John Doe Ltd. I, John Doe Ltd. II, John Doe Ltd. III, John Doe Ltd. IV, John Doe V, John Doe VI, John Doe VII, Jane Doe V, Jane Doe VI, Jane Doe VII, John Doe Ltd. V, John Doe Ltd. VI, John Doe VII, John Doe VIII, John Doe IX | Applicant | Active |
| Jane Doe VIII, Jane Doe IX, John Doe Ltd. VIII, John Doe Ltd. IX, John Doe X, John Doe XI, John Doe XII, John Doe XIII, Jane Doe X, Jane Doe XI, Jane Doe XII, Jane Doe XIII, John Doe Ltd. X, John Doe Ltd. XI, John Doe Ltd. XII, John Doe Ltd. XIII | Applicant | Active |
| John Doe XIV, Jane Doe XIV, John Doe Ltd. XIV, John Doe XV, John Doe XVI, Jane Doe XV, John Doe Ltd. XV, John Doe XVII, John Doe XVIII, Jane Doe XVI, John Doe Ltd. XVI, John Doe XIX, John Doe XX, Jane Doe XVII, John Doe Ltd. XVII, John Doe XXI | Applicant | Active |
| John Doe XXII, Jane Doe XVIII, John Doe Ltd. XVIII, John Doe XXIII, John Doe XXIV, Jane Doe XIX, John Doe Ltd. XIX, John Doe XXV, Jane Doe XX, John Doe Ltd. XX, John Doe XXVI, Jane Doe XXI, John Doe Ltd. XXI, John Doe XXVII, Jane Doe XXII | Applicant | Active |
| John Doe Ltd. XXII and other John Does & Jane Does to be added | Applicant | Active |
v.
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BCE Inc. | Respondent | Active |
| Bell Canada, Bell Mobility Cellular Inc., Bell Mobility Inc. | Respondent | Active |
| MTS Communications Inc. | Respondent | Active |
| AT&T Canada Inc. | Respondent | Active |
| Microcell Telecommunications Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Rogers Cantel Inc., Rogers Wireless Inc., Rogers AT&T Wireless | Respondent | Active |
Counsel
Party: Hafichuk-Walkin, Terese
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: Mark Burk, Vivian Malay, Reuben Schucher, Steve Drover, Shelley Frank, John Gillis, Apartment Laundry Services Ltd., Mark Frey, Trudy Betthel, Bryan Pawlachuk, Nathalie Pawlachuk, D & S Homes Ltd., Jennifer Evenson, Danielle Favreau, Jeff Ledding
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: Jessica Cordingley, Alison Weinberger, Terry Parker, Carol Walker, Cindy Belton, Leigh Edmunds, Lauren Tomashich, Stan Pappas, Amanda Donald, Richard Skuce, Lant Lutterodt, John Doe I, John Doe II, John Doe III, John Doe IV, Jane Doe I, Jane Doe II
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: Jane Doe III, Jane Doe IV, John Doe Ltd. I, John Doe Ltd. II, John Doe Ltd. III, John Doe Ltd. IV, John Doe V, John Doe VI, John Doe VII, Jane Doe V, Jane Doe VI, Jane Doe VII, John Doe Ltd. V, John Doe Ltd. VI, John Doe VII, John Doe VIII, John Doe IX
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: Jane Doe VIII, Jane Doe IX, John Doe Ltd. VIII, John Doe Ltd. IX, John Doe X, John Doe XI, John Doe XII, John Doe XIII, Jane Doe X, Jane Doe XI, Jane Doe XII, Jane Doe XIII, John Doe Ltd. X, John Doe Ltd. XI, John Doe Ltd. XII, John Doe Ltd. XIII
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: John Doe XIV, Jane Doe XIV, John Doe Ltd. XIV, John Doe XV, John Doe XVI, Jane Doe XV, John Doe Ltd. XV, John Doe XVII, John Doe XVIII, Jane Doe XVI, John Doe Ltd. XVI, John Doe XIX, John Doe XX, Jane Doe XVII, John Doe Ltd. XVII, John Doe XXI
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: John Doe XXII, Jane Doe XVIII, John Doe Ltd. XVIII, John Doe XXIII, John Doe XXIV, Jane Doe XIX, John Doe Ltd. XIX, John Doe XXV, Jane Doe XX, John Doe Ltd. XX, John Doe XXVI, Jane Doe XXI, John Doe Ltd. XXI, John Doe XXVII, Jane Doe XXII
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: John Doe Ltd. XXII and other John Does & Jane Does to be added
Counsel
100 - 2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4H8
Telephone: (306) 359-7777
FAX: (306) 522-3299
Email: emerchant@merchantlaw.com
Party: BCE Inc.
Counsel
Alan Melamud
151 Bloor Street West
Suite 701
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1S4
Telephone: (416) 348-7502
FAX: (416) 348-7505
Email: kp@toughcounsel.com
Party: Bell Canada, Bell Mobility Cellular Inc., Bell Mobility Inc.
Counsel
Alan Melamud
151 Bloor Street West
Suite 701
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1S4
Telephone: (416) 348-7502
FAX: (416) 348-7505
Email: kp@toughcounsel.com
Party: MTS Communications Inc.
Counsel
700 - 2103 11th Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4G1
Telephone: (306) 347-8300
FAX: (306) 347-8350
Email: jgrubb@millerthomson.com
Party: AT&T Canada Inc.
Counsel
Maureen Littlejohn
155 Wellington Street West
37th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3J7
Telephone: (416) 367-7623
FAX: (416) 863-0871
Email: kentthomson@dwpv.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Party: Microcell Telecommunications Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Rogers Cantel Inc., Rogers Wireless Inc., Rogers AT&T Wireless
Counsel
Maureen Littlejohn
155 Wellington Street West
37th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3J7
Telephone: (416) 367-7623
FAX: (416) 863-0871
Email: kentthomson@dwpv.com
Agent
160 Elgin Street, Suite 2600
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 786-0171
FAX: (613) 563-9869
Email: jeff.beedell@gowlingwlg.com
Summary
Keywords
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Summary
Case summaries are prepared by the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (Law Branch). Please note that summaries are not provided to the Judges of the Court. They are placed on the Court file and website for information purposes only.
Civil procedure – Class actions – Abuse of process – Action commenced in Saskatchewan claiming that telecommunication providers improperly charged wireless telephone customers system access fees and misrepresented them as regulatory fees – Action in Saskatchewan was certified as class action on national opt-in basis – Similar class actions filed in other jurisdictions across Canada, including Manitoba, but later stayed as abuses of process – Whether filing of multiple class actions constitutes abuse of process.
In 2004, an action was commenced in Saskatchewan by the Merchant Law Group (the “MLG”) under The Class Actions Act, SS 2001, c. C-12.01 (the “Frey/Chatfield action”), claiming that the respondent telecommunications providers had improperly been charging their wireless phone customers “system access fees” (“SAF”) each month. It was alleged that the respondents misrepresented that the SAF were regulatory fees that they were simply collecting and remitting to the government. It was further alleged that this illegal practice went on for several years affecting customers across Canada and resulted in the respondents receiving, collectively, hundreds of millions of dollars. Similar class actions were later brought by the MLG in eight other jurisdictions across Canada, including Manitoba. In Manitoba, Schulman J. held that the filing of multiple class actions constituted an abuse of process and stayed the action there. The Manitoba Court of Appeal affirmed that decision, giving rise to this leave application.
Lower court rulings
Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba
CI 04-01-39951, 2014 MBQB 175
Action stayed as abuse of process.
Court of Appeal of Manitoba
AI14-30-08244, 2016 MBCA 32
Appeal dismissed.
Memorandums of argument on application for leave to appeal
The memorandums of argument on an application for leave to appeal will be posted here 30 days after leave to appeal has been granted unless they contain personal information, information that is subject to a publication ban, or any other information that is not part of the public record. You may also obtain copies of the memorandum by filing out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.
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Factums on appeal
The factums of the appellant, the respondent and the intervener will be posted here at least 2 weeks before the hearing unless they contain personal information, information that is subject to a publication ban, or any other information that is not part of the public record. You may also obtain copies of factums by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.
If you have questions about a factum or want permission to use a factum, please contact the author of the factum directly. Their contact information appears on the first page of each factum.
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