Skip to main content

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.


41566

Maxime Bergeron v. Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc., et al.

(Quebec) (Civil) (By Leave)

Docket

Judgments on applications for leave to appeal are rendered by the Court, but are not necessarily unanimous.

List of proceedings
Date Proceeding Filed By
(if applicable)
2025-12-09 Notice of change of counsel, (Letter Form), (Printed version filed on 2025-12-10) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-12-09 Reply factum on appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-12-09, (Printed version filed on 2025-12-10) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-12-04 Appeal hearing scheduled, 2026-02-12
2025-11-25 Notice of name, (Letter Form), (Printed version filed on 2025-11-26) Barreau du Québec
2025-11-25 Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-11-27, (Printed version filed on 2025-11-26) Federation of Law Societies of Canada
2025-11-25 Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-11-27, (Printed version filed on 2025-11-26) Federation of Law Societies of Canada
2025-11-25 Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-11-27, (Printed version filed on 2025-11-26) Barreau du Québec
2025-11-25 Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-11-27, (Printed version filed on 2025-11-25) Advocates' Society
2025-10-14 Order on motion for leave to intervene, by the CHIEF JUSTICE
2025-10-14 Decision on the motion for leave to intervene, CJ, UPON APPLICATION by The Advocates’ Society, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Barreau du Québec for permission to intervene in the appeal;

AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read;

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

The motions for leave to intervene filed by The Advocates’ Society, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Barreau du Québec are granted. The three (3) interveners shall each be entitled to serve and file a factum not exceeding ten (10) pages in length and books of authorities, if any, on or before November 25, 2025.

The interveners are each granted permission to present oral argument not exceeding five (5) minutes at the hearing of the appeal.

The respondents shall each be entitled to serve and file a single factum in reply to all interventions not exceeding five (5) pages in length on or before December 9, 2025.

The intervener is not entitled to raise new issues or to adduce further evidence or otherwise to supplement the record of the parties.

Pursuant to Rule 59(1)(a) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada, the intervener shall pay to the appellant and the respondent any additional disbursements resulting from its intervention.

Granted
2025-10-14 Submission of motion for leave to intervene, CJ
2025-10-08 Appeal perfected for hearing
2025-10-08 Respondent's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-10-15, (Printed version filed on 2025-10-14) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-10-08 Certificate of counsel (attesting to record), (Letter Form), 24B, (Printed version filed on 2025-10-14) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-10-08 Respondent's record, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-10-15, (Printed version filed on 2025-10-14) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-10-08 Respondent's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-10-15, (Printed version filed on 2025-10-14) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-09-22 Notice of change of counsel, (Printed version due on 2025-09-29) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-09-19 Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2025-09-22, (Printed version filed on 2025-09-22) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-09-11 Notice of name, (Letter Form), (Printed version filed on 2025-09-12) Barreau du Québec
2025-09-11 Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-09-12, (Printed version filed on 2025-09-12) Barreau du Québec
2025-09-11 Notice of name, (Letter Form), (Printed version filed on 2025-09-12) Federation of Law Societies of Canada
2025-09-11 Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-09-18, (Printed version filed on 2025-09-12) Federation of Law Societies of Canada
2025-09-10 Notice of name, (Letter Form), (Printed version filed on 2025-09-12) Advocates' Society
2025-09-10 Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-09-12, (Printed version filed on 2025-09-12) Advocates' Society
2025-08-14 Certificate of counsel (attesting to record), (Letter Form), (Printed version due on 2025-08-21) Maxime Bergeron
2025-08-14 Appellant's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-08-15, (Printed version filed on 2025-08-18) Maxime Bergeron
2025-08-14 Appellant's record, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-08-15, (Printed version filed on 2025-08-18) Maxime Bergeron
2025-08-14 Appellant's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-08-15, (Printed version filed on 2025-08-18) Maxime Bergeron
2025-07-11 Order on motion to extend time to serve and/or file notice of appeal, by JUSTICE JAMAL
2025-07-11 Decision on motion to extend time to serve and/or file notice of appeal, Ja, UPON APPLICATION by the appellant for an extension of the time to serve and file the notice of appeal to June 19, 2025;

AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read;

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

The motion is granted.

Granted
2025-07-11 Submission of motion to extend time to serve and/or file notice of appeal submitted, Ja
2025-06-20 Motion to extend the time to serve and/or file the notice of appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2025-06-23, (Electronic version filed on 2025-06-20) Maxime Bergeron
2025-06-19 Notice of appeal, Completed on: 2025-06-25, (Printed version filed on 2025-06-20) Maxime Bergeron
2025-06-19 Certificate (on limitations to public access), 23A, (Printed version filed on 2025-06-20) Maxime Bergeron
2025-05-01 Copy of formal judgment sent to Registrar of the Court of Appeal and all parties
2025-05-01 Judgment on leave sent to the parties
2025-05-01 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 Quebec (Montréal), Number 500-09-030797-237, 2024 QCCA 1264, dated September 27, 2024 is granted with costs in the cause.
Granted, with costs
2025-03-10 All materials on application for leave submitted to the Judges, for consideration by the Court
2025-01-17 Applicant's reply to respondent's argument, (Letter Form), Missing:
- Signature (Rec'd 2025-01-20), Completed on: 2025-01-20, (Printed version filed on 2025-01-21)
Maxime Bergeron
2025-01-07 Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), Form 23A, (Printed version filed on 2025-01-08) Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2025-01-07 Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, (Letter Form), Missing:
- Notice of name, Completed on: 2025-01-08, (Printed version filed on 2025-01-08)
Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.
2024-11-28 Letter acknowledging receipt of a complete application for leave to appeal, File opened
2024-11-26 Certificate (on limitations to public access), Form 23A, (Printed version filed on 2024-11-27) Maxime Bergeron
2024-11-26 Notice of name, (Printed version filed on 2024-11-27) Maxime Bergeron
2024-11-26 Application for leave to appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2024-11-26, (Printed version filed on 2024-11-27) Maxime Bergeron

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

Main parties - Appellants
Name Role Status
Bergeron, Maxime Appellant Active

v.

Main parties - Respondents
Name Role Status
Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc. Respondent Active
Pilvaci, Hilal Respondent Active
St-Germain, Cyrille Respondent Active
Désilets, Marie-Pier Respondent Active
Boukni, Asma Respondent Active
Laguë, Jean-François Respondent Active
Dagenais-Dion, Fanny Respondent Active

Other parties

Other parties
Name Role Status
Advocates' Society Intervener Active
Federation of Law Societies of Canada Intervener Active
Barreau du Québec Intervener Active

Counsel

Party: Bergeron, Maxime

Counsel
Names
Jean-Philippe Caron
Gabriel Bois
Janique Soucy
Jonathan Pierre-Étienne Grondin Savarese
Contact information
CaLex Légal inc.
1625, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Bureau 300
Montréal, Quebec
H3H 1L8
Telephone: (514) 548-3023
FAX: (514) 846-8844
Email: jpc@calex.legal

Party: Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc.

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: Pilvaci, Hilal

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: St-Germain, Cyrille

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: Désilets, Marie-Pier

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: Boukni, Asma

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: Laguë, Jean-François

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: Dagenais-Dion, Fanny

Counsel
Names
Erik P. Masse
François-Pierre Laforest
Contact information
DWF (Québec) S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP
900 - 5, Place Ville Marie
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 2G2
Telephone: (514) 470-1445
FAX: (514) 221-3706
Email: Erik.Masse@DWFGroup.com
Agent
Name
Marie-France Major
Contact information
Supreme Advocacy s.r.l.
340, rue Gilmour, 100
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca

Party: Advocates' Society

Counsel
Names
Frédéric Plamondon
Charles-Antoine Péladeau
Guillaume Trifiro
Contact information
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l.
1 Place Ville-Marie, bureau 2700
Montréal, Quebec
H3B 1R1
Telephone: (514) 286-5474
Email: frederic.plamondon@nortonrosefulbright.com
Agent
Name
Jean-Simon Schoenholz
Contact information
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
500 – 99 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6B9
Telephone: (613) 780-1537
FAX: (613) 230-5459
Email: jean-simon.schoenholz@nortonrosefulbright.com

Party: Federation of Law Societies of Canada

Counsel
Names
Guy J. Pratte
Nadia Effendi
Amanda Afeich
Contact information
Borden Ladner Gervais s.e.n.c.r.l., s.r.l.
100, rue Queen Street
Bureau 1300
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J9
Telephone: (613) 787-3521
FAX: (613) 230-8842
Email: gpratte@blg.com

Party: Barreau du Québec

Counsel
Names
Nicolas Le Grand Alary
André-Philippe Mallette
Sylvie Champagne
Contact information
Barreau du Québec
445 boul. Saint-Laurent
Montréal, Quebec
H2Y 3T8
Telephone: (514) 954-3400
Email: nlegrandalary@barreau.qc.ca

Summary

Keywords

Civil procedure — Motion to have lawyer declared disqualified — Whether principles applicable with regard to conflict of interest since MacDonald Estate apply by analogy in context of disqualification of lawyer for not having enough distance — Criteria and factors to be weighed by trial judge considering application for disqualification of lawyer for not having enough distance to balance lawyer’s obligations as officer of court — Code of Civil Procedure, CQLR, c. C 25.01, art. 193.

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.

Maxime Bergeron was expelled from a mock parliament organized by one of the respondents, the Assemblée parlementaire des étudiants du Québec inc. Some participants said that they were afraid of him because of his [TRANSLATION] “disruptive behaviour”. His father, Jean Bergeron, a lawyer, quickly became involved in the situation, seeking to have the expulsion decision revoked and to obtain reparation for the damage sustained by his son. The respondents filed a motion to have J. Bergeron declared disqualified.

The Superior Court found that exceptional circumstances warranted declaring J. Bergeron disqualified. A reasonably informed member of the public knowing the facts of the case would be satisfied that he did not have the distance he was required to have. The Court of Appeal found that there was no reviewable error. Public confidence in the proper administration of justice could be compromised if M. Bergeron’s father were authorized to continue representing him in the particular circumstances of this case.


Lower court rulings

November 3, 2023
Superior Court of Quebec

2023 QCCS 1457 (French only)

Jean Bergeron declared disqualified from representing applicant

September 27, 2024
Court of Appeal of Quebec (Montréal)

2024 QCCA 1264 (French only)

Appeal dismissed

Filed documents

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 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 memorandum of argument or want to use a memorandum of argument, please contact the author of the memorandum of argument directly. Their name appears at the end of the memorandum of argument. The contact information for counsel is found in the “Counsel” tab of this page.

Downloadable PDFs

Not available

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.

Downloadable PDFs

Not available

The condensed books of the appellant, the respondent and the intervener will be posted here upon receipt of the electronic version, 2 days prior to the scheduled appeal hearing. You may also obtain copies of condensed books 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 condensed book or want permission to use a condensed book, please contact the author of the condensed book directly. Their contact information appears on the first page of each condensed book.

Downloadable PDFs

Not available

Webcasts

Not available.

Date modified: 2025-12-17