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.
37273
Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses v. Randy Wall
(Alberta) (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) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-06-05 | Appeal closed | |
| 2018-06-01 | Formal judgment sent to the registrar of the court of appeal and all parties | |
| 2018-06-01 | Judgment on appeal and notice of deposit of judgment sent to all parties | |
| 2018-05-31 |
Judgment on the appeal rendered, CJ Abe Mo Ka Wa Ga Côt Br Row, The appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Alberta (Calgary), Number 1501-0120-AC, 2016 ABCA 255, dated September 8, 2016, heard on November 2, 2017, is allowed. The originating application for judicial review filed by Mr. Wall is quashed. Allowed |
|
| 2017-11-16 | Transcript received, 139 pages | |
| 2017-11-02 | Judgment reserved OR rendered with reasons to follow | |
| 2017-11-02 | Intervener's condensed book, (Book Form), Submitted in Court (14 copies) | Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada |
| 2017-11-02 | Intervener's condensed book, (Book Form), Submitted in Court (14 copies) | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms |
| 2017-11-02 | Intervener's condensed book, (Book Form), Submitted in Court (14 copies) | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-11-02 | Respondent's condensed book, (Book Form), Submitted in Court (14 copies) | Randy Wall |
| 2017-11-02 | Appellant's condensed book, (Book Form), Submitted in Court (14 copies) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-11-02 |
Hearing of the appeal, 2017-11-02, CJ Abe Mo Ka Wa Ga Côt Br Row Judgment reserved |
|
| 2017-10-31 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), Factum footnote 68 hyperlink incorrect. Amended electronic copy of the factum rec'd 2017-10-31. | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-10-31 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), 1 reserved seat requested | Randy Wall |
| 2017-10-26 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), 3 reserved seats requested | Association for Reformed Political Action Canada |
| 2017-10-25 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Yavar Hameed will be sitting with Mr. Siddiqui. | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-10-25 | Order on motion to strike out, (by MOLDAVER J.) | |
| 2017-10-25 |
Decision on motion to strike out, Mo, UPON APPLICATION by the respondent for an order: 1.Revoking the intervener status of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, and; 2.Striking the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms’ factum in its entirety, or; 3.Alternatively, striking paragraphs 3, 16-19, 21-23, 25-26, 28-30, and 33 of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms’ factum, and; 4.Awarding costs of this motion against the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms; AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: The motion is granted with costs to the respondent. Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms shall strike paragraphs 3, 16-19, 21-23, 25-26, 28-30, and 33 from its factum and shall serve and file an amended factum with these paragraphs struck no later than October 30, 2017. If a revised factum is not served and filed pursuant to the terms of this order, the intervener status of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms shall be revoked and its factum shall be struck in its entirety. Granted, with costs |
|
| 2017-10-25 | Submission of motion to strike out, Mo | |
| 2017-10-24 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Avnish Nanda and Balpreet Singh Boparai will be present at the hearing. Mr. Boparai will present oral arguments. | World Sikh Organization of Canada |
| 2017-10-24 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), No changes to suggest for the counsel sheet | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-10-24 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), Respondent, will not be be filing a reply to the motion to strike. | Randy Wall |
| 2017-10-23 | Response to motion to strike out, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-23, (Printed version filed on 2017-10-23) | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms |
| 2017-10-20 | Response to motion to strike out, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-10-20 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-10-19 | Reply factum on appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-19 | Randy Wall |
| 2017-10-19 | Reply factum on appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-19 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-10-19 | Motion to strike out, (Book Form), and revoke the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms Intervener Status , Completed on: 2017-10-19 | Randy Wall |
| 2017-10-18 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), 4 reserved seats requested. | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-10-18 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Derek Ross and Deina Warren will be present at the hearing. Mr. Ross will present oral arguments. | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-10-18 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), André Schutten and John Sikkema will be present at the hearing. Mr Sikkema will present oral arguments. | Association for Reformed Political Action Canada |
| 2017-10-18 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Mark Gelowitz and Karin Sachar will be present at the hearing. Mr. Gelowitz will present oral arguments. | Canadian Constitution Foundation |
| 2017-10-17 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Barry W. Bussey and Philip A.S. Milley will be present at the hearing. Mr. Bussey will present oral arguments. | Canadian Council of Christian Charities |
| 2017-10-16 | Correspondence received from | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-10-16 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Roy Millen and Ariel Solose will be present at the hearing. Mr. Millen will present oral arguments. | British Columbia Civil Liberties Association |
| 2017-10-16 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Michael A. Feder and Robyn Gifford will be present at the hearing. Mr, Feder will present oral arguments. | Randy Wall |
| 2017-10-16 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Jay Cameron will be present at the hearing and will present oral arguments. | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms |
| 2017-10-13 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), Shahzad Siddiqui will be present at the hearing and will present oral arguments. | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-10-13 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), 4 reserved seats requested. | Evangelical Fellowship of Canada |
| 2017-10-13 | Notice of appearance, Albertos Polizogopoulos and Philip Horgan will be present | Evangelical Fellowship of Canada |
| 2017-10-12 | Notice of appearance, Gerald Chipeur and Jonathan Martin will be present at the hearing. | Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada |
| 2017-10-11 | Notice of appearance, (Letter Form), David Gnam and Jayden MacEwan will be present. Mr. Gnam will present oral arguments. | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-10-11 | Correspondence received from, 6 reserved seats requested | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-10-11 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), Shahzad Siddiqui (by email). Yavar Hameed is agent for the intervener. | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Evangelical Fellowship of Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Evangelical Fellowship of Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Amended Electronic copy of the factum rec'd 2017/10/31, Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Association for Reformed Political Action Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Association for Reformed Political Action Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Canadian Council of Christian Charities |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Canadian Council of Christian Charities |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | World Sikh Organization of Canada |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Canadian Constitution Foundation |
| 2017-10-05 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Further to the Order of Justice Moldaver, the amended factum was rec'd 2017/10/26., Completed on: 2017-10-05 | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms |
| 2017-10-04 | Certificate (on limitations to public access) | British Columbia Civil Liberties Association |
| 2017-10-04 | Intervener's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-04 | British Columbia Civil Liberties Association |
| 2017-10-04 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-04 | British Columbia Civil Liberties Association |
| 2017-10-04 | Intervener's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-10-04 | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-09-01 | Order on motion to extend time, (by MOLDAVER J.) | |
| 2017-09-01 | Order on motion for leave to intervene, (by MOLDAVER J.) | |
| 2017-09-01 |
Decision on motion to extend time, See order on motion for leave to intervene dated September 1, 2017., Mo Granted |
|
| 2017-09-01 |
Decision on the motion for leave to intervene, Mo, UPON APPLICATION by the Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association for an extension of time to serve and file a motion for leave to intervene and for leave to intervene in the above appeal; AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: The motion for an extension of time is granted. The motion for leave to intervene is granted and the said intervener shall be entitled to serve and file a factum not exceeding ten (10) pages in length on or before October 5, 2017. Submissions made in reply to the said intervener’s factum may be included in the reply factums to be served and filed in accordance with the order dated August 24, 2017. The said intervener is granted permission to present oral argument not exceeding five (5) minutes at the hearing of the appeal. 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 appellants and respondent any additional disbursements occasioned to them by their interventions. Granted |
|
| 2017-09-01 | Submission of motion to extend time, Mo | |
| 2017-09-01 | Submission of motion for leave to intervene, Mo | |
| 2017-09-01 | Appeal perfected for hearing | |
| 2017-08-31 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), Zaki Shams (by email). The intervener will not be filing a reply to the reponses on the motion for leave to intervene and extension of time. | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-08-30 | Certificate of counsel (attesting to record) | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-30 | Certificate (on limitations to public access) | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-30 | Respondent's book of authorities, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-30 | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-30 | Respondent's record, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-31 | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-30 | Respondent's factum, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-30 | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-29 | Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-08-29 | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-28 | Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-08-30 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-08-25 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-08-24 | Motion to extend time, (Included in the motion for leave to intervene), To file a motion for leave to intervene. Joint with AMENDED motion for leave to intervene. AMENDED notice of motion filed on 2017-08-29., Completed on: 2017-08-24 | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-08-24 | Order on motion for leave to intervene, (BY JUSTICE MOLDAVER) | |
| 2017-08-24 |
Decision on the motion for leave to intervene, Mo, UPON APPLICATIONS by the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, the Association for Reformed Political Action Canada, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, the Christian Legal Fellowship, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Catholic Civil Rights League (jointly), the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada, the World Sikh Organization of Canada and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms for leave to intervene in the above appeal; AND THE MATERIAL FILED having been read; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: The motions for leave to intervene by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada are granted and the said two (2) interveners shall be entitled to serve and file a joint factum not exceeding ten (10) pages in length on or before October 5, 2017. Furthermore, the said two (2) interveners are granted permission to jointly present oral argument not exceeding five (5) minutes at the hearing of the appeal. The motions for leave to intervene by the Canadian Council of Christian Charities, the Association for Reformed Political Action Canada, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Constitution Foundation, the Christian Legal Fellowship, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the Catholic Civil Rights League (jointly), the World Sikh Organization of Canada and the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms are granted and the said eight (8) interveners or group of interveners shall be entitled to each serve and file a factum not exceeding ten (10) pages in length on or before October 5, 2017. The said eight (8) interveners or group of interveners are each granted permission to present oral argument not exceeding five (5) minutes at the hearing of the appeal. The appellants (jointly) are permitted to serve and file a single five (5) page factum and the respondent is permitted to serve and file a single fifteen (15) page factum in reply to all interventions on or before October 19, 2017. The interveners are 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 interveners shall pay to the appellants and respondent any additional disbursements occasioned to the appellants and respondent by their interventions. Granted |
|
| 2017-08-24 | Submission of motion for leave to intervene, Mo | |
| 2017-08-21 |
Appeal hearing scheduled, 2017-11-02, (EARLY START: 9:00am) Judgment reserved |
|
| 2017-08-18 | Notice of hearing sent to parties | |
| 2017-08-14 | Correspondence received from, Marie-France Major dated 2017-08-14. Re: Change of address | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-08-10 | Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-08-10, (Printed version filed on 2017-08-10) | Randy Wall |
| 2017-08-09 | Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), To CCF, Completed on: 2017-08-09, (Printed version filed on 2017-08-10) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-08-09 | Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-08-10, (Printed version filed on 2017-08-10) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-08-08 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Proof of service missing (received 2017-08-24). Form 14 missing (received 2017-08-25). Payment missing (received 2017-08-24). AMENDED motion filed on 2017-08-24., Completed on: 2017-08-25, (Printed version filed on 2017-08-24) | Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association |
| 2017-08-04 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | British Columbia Civil Liberties Association |
| 2017-08-04 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), service missing-rec'd 2017/08/10, Completed on: 2017-08-04 | British Columbia Civil Liberties Association |
| 2017-08-04 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada |
| 2017-08-04 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-04 | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada |
| 2017-08-04 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms |
| 2017-08-04 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-04 | Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms |
| 2017-08-04 | Notice of name | Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada |
| 2017-08-04 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-04 | Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada |
| 2017-08-04 | Notice of name | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-08-04 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-04 | Christian Legal Fellowship |
| 2017-08-04 | Notice of name | World Sikh Organization of Canada |
| 2017-08-04 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-04 | World Sikh Organization of Canada |
| 2017-08-03 | Notice of name, (Included in the motion for leave to intervene) | Evangelical Fellowship of Canada |
| 2017-08-03 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Joint, Completed on: 2017-08-03 | Evangelical Fellowship of Canada |
| 2017-08-03 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Canadian Constitution Foundation |
| 2017-08-03 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-08-03 | Canadian Constitution Foundation |
| 2017-08-02 | Response to the motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-08-02 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-08-01 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Association for Reformed Political Action Canada |
| 2017-08-01 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-08-01 | Association for Reformed Political Action Canada |
| 2017-07-28 | Notice of name, (Letter Form) | Canadian Council of Christian Charities |
| 2017-07-26 | Motion for leave to intervene, (Book Form), Completed on: 2017-07-26 | Canadian Council of Christian Charities |
| 2017-07-07 | Certificate of counsel (attesting to record), (Letter Form) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-07-07 | Appellant's book of authorities, (Book Form), Electronic version filed on 2017-07-10., Completed on: 2017-07-07 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-07-07 | Appellant's record, (Book Form), Electronic version filed on 2017-07-10., Completed on: 2017-07-07 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-07-07 | Appellant's factum, (Book Form), Electronic version filed on 2017-07-10., Completed on: 2017-07-07 | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-06-16 | Correspondence received from, (Letter Form), Nadia Effendi will be agent for the respondent. | Randy Wall |
| 2017-05-15 | Notice of appeal, (Letter Form), Completed on: 2017-05-15, (Electronic version filed on 2017-05-15) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2017-04-26 | Notice of change of counsel, (Letter Form), Mr. Michael A. Feder will represent the Respondent. | Randy Wall |
| 2017-04-20 | Letter advising the parties of tentative hearing date and filing deadlines (Leave granted) | |
| 2017-04-18 | Correspondence (sent by the Court) to, Respondent re: Self-Rep Questionnaire regarding legal services and representation. | |
| 2017-04-18 | Copy of formal judgment sent to Registrar of the Court of Appeal and all parties | |
| 2017-04-18 | Judgment on leave sent to the parties | |
| 2017-04-13 |
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 Alberta (Calgary), Number 1501-0120-AC, 2016 ABCA 255, dated September 8, 2016, is granted with costs in the cause. Granted, with costs in the cause |
|
| 2017-02-27 | All materials on application for leave submitted to the Judges, for consideration by the Court | |
| 2016-11-08 | Letter acknowledging receipt of a complete application for leave to appeal, FILE OPENED 2016/11/08 | |
| 2016-11-04 | Notice of name, (Letter Form), (Electronic version filed on 2016-11-04) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2016-11-04 | Certificate (on limitations to public access), (Letter Form), (Electronic version filed on 2016-11-04) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
| 2016-11-04 | Application for leave to appeal, (Book Form), Completed on: 2016-11-04, (Electronic version filed on 2016-11-04) | Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses | Appellant | Active |
v.
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wall, Randy | Respondent | Active |
Other parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Council of Christian Charities | Intervener | Active |
| Association for Reformed Political Action Canada | Intervener | Active |
| Canadian Constitution Foundation | Intervener | Active |
| Evangelical Fellowship of Canada | Intervener | Active |
| Catholic Civil Rights League | Intervener | Active |
| Christian Legal Fellowship | Intervener | Active |
| World Sikh Organization of Canada | Intervener | Active |
| Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada | Intervener | Active |
| Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms | Intervener | Active |
| Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada | Intervener | Active |
| British Columbia Civil Liberties Association | Intervener | Active |
| Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association | Intervener | Active |
Counsel
Party: Judicial Committee of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Vaughn Lee - Chairman and Elders James Scott Lang and Joe Gurney) and Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses
Counsel
David M. Gnam
Jayden MacEwan
Jayden MacEwan
W. Glen How & Associates LLP
13893 Highway 7, P.O. Box 40
Georgetown, Ontario
L7G 4T1
Telephone: (905) 873-4545
FAX: (905) 873-4522
Email: dgnam@wghow.ca
13893 Highway 7, P.O. Box 40
Georgetown, Ontario
L7G 4T1
Telephone: (905) 873-4545
FAX: (905) 873-4522
Email: dgnam@wghow.ca
Agent
Eugene Meehan, Q.C.
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Wall, Randy
Counsel
Michael A. Feder
Robyn Gifford
Robyn Gifford
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Suite 2400, 745 Thurlow Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 0C5
Telephone: (604) 643-5983
FAX: (604) 622-7900
Email: mfeder@mccarthy.ca
Suite 2400, 745 Thurlow Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 0C5
Telephone: (604) 643-5983
FAX: (604) 622-7900
Email: mfeder@mccarthy.ca
Agent
Nadia Effendi
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
World Exchange Plaza
100 Queen Street, suite 1300
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J9
Telephone: (613) 787-3562
FAX: (613) 230-8842
Email: neffendi@blg.com
World Exchange Plaza
100 Queen Street, suite 1300
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1J9
Telephone: (613) 787-3562
FAX: (613) 230-8842
Email: neffendi@blg.com
Party: Canadian Council of Christian Charities
Counsel
Barry W. Bussey
Philip A.S. Milley
Marie-France Major
Philip A.S. Milley
Marie-France Major
1-43 Howard Avenue
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2C9
Telephone: (519) 669-5137
FAX: (519) 669-3291
Email: barry.bussey@cccc.org
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2C9
Telephone: (519) 669-5137
FAX: (519) 669-3291
Email: barry.bussey@cccc.org
Agent
Eugene Meehan, Q.C.
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Association for Reformed Political Action Canada
Counsel
John Sikkema
Marie-France Major
Marie-France Major
Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada
130 Albert Street
Suite 1705
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
Telephone: (416) 992-9877
FAX: (613) 249-3238
Email: john@arpacanada.ca
130 Albert Street
Suite 1705
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
Telephone: (416) 992-9877
FAX: (613) 249-3238
Email: john@arpacanada.ca
Agent
Eugene Meehan, Q.C.
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Canadian Constitution Foundation
Counsel
Mark A. Gelowitz
Karin Sachar
Karin Sachar
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
100 King Street West
1 First Canadian Place, Suite 6200, P.O. Box 50
Toronto, Ontario
M5X 1B8
Telephone: (416) 362-2111
FAX: (416) 862-6666
Email: mgelowitz@osler.com
100 King Street West
1 First Canadian Place, Suite 6200, P.O. Box 50
Toronto, Ontario
M5X 1B8
Telephone: (416) 362-2111
FAX: (416) 862-6666
Email: mgelowitz@osler.com
Agent
Geoffrey Langen
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Suite 1900
340 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 7Y6
Telephone: (613) 787-1009
FAX: (613) 235-2867
Email: glangen@osler.com
Suite 1900
340 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 7Y6
Telephone: (613) 787-1009
FAX: (613) 235-2867
Email: glangen@osler.com
Party: Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
Counsel
Albertos Polizogopoulos
Vincent Dagenais Gibson LLP
260 Dalhousie Street
Suite 400
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7E4
Telephone: (613) 552-6432
FAX: (613) 241-2599
Email: albertos@vdg.ca
260 Dalhousie Street
Suite 400
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7E4
Telephone: (613) 552-6432
FAX: (613) 241-2599
Email: albertos@vdg.ca
Party: Catholic Civil Rights League
Counsel
Albertos Polizogopoulos
Vincent Dagenais Gibson LLP
260 Dalhousie Street
Suite 400
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7E4
Telephone: (613) 552-6432
FAX: (613) 241-2599
Email: albertos@vdg.ca
260 Dalhousie Street
Suite 400
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7E4
Telephone: (613) 552-6432
FAX: (613) 241-2599
Email: albertos@vdg.ca
Party: Christian Legal Fellowship
Counsel
Derek B.M. Ross
Deina Warren
Marie-France Major
Deina Warren
Marie-France Major
Christian Legal Fellowship
285 King Street
Suite 202
London, Ontario
N6B 3M6
Telephone: (519) 601-4099
FAX: (519) 601-4098
Email: execdir@christianlegalfellowship.org
285 King Street
Suite 202
London, Ontario
N6B 3M6
Telephone: (519) 601-4099
FAX: (519) 601-4098
Email: execdir@christianlegalfellowship.org
Agent
Eugene Meehan, Q.C.
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: World Sikh Organization of Canada
Counsel
Balpreet Singh Boparai
Avnish Nanda
Avnish Nanda
World Sikh Organization of Canada
119 Flagstone Way
Newmarket, Ontario
L3X 2Z8
Telephone: (416) 904-9110
FAX: (905) 796-7536
Email: balpreetsingh@worldsikh.org
119 Flagstone Way
Newmarket, Ontario
L3X 2Z8
Telephone: (416) 904-9110
FAX: (905) 796-7536
Email: balpreetsingh@worldsikh.org
Agent
Marie-France Major
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Canada
Counsel
Gerald D. Chipeur, Q.C.
Jonathan Martin
Marie-France Major
Jonathan Martin
Marie-France Major
Miller Thomson LLP
3000, 700- 9th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3V4
Telephone: (403) 298-2434
FAX: (403) 262-0007
Email: gchipeur@millerthomson.com
3000, 700- 9th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3V4
Telephone: (403) 298-2434
FAX: (403) 262-0007
Email: gchipeur@millerthomson.com
Agent
Eugene Meehan, Q.C.
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms
Counsel
Jay Cameron
Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms
253-7620 Elbow Drive SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2V 1K2
Telephone: (403) 475-3622
FAX: (587) 747-5310
Email: jcameron@jccf.ca
253-7620 Elbow Drive SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2V 1K2
Telephone: (403) 475-3622
FAX: (587) 747-5310
Email: jcameron@jccf.ca
Agent
Marie-France Major
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
100- 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 102
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: mfmajor@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Canada
Counsel
Gerald D. Chipeur, Q.C.
Jonathan Martin
Jonathan Martin
Miller Thomson LLP
3000, 700- 9th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3V4
Telephone: (403) 298-2434
FAX: (403) 262-0007
Email: gchipeur@millerthomson.com
3000, 700- 9th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3V4
Telephone: (403) 298-2434
FAX: (403) 262-0007
Email: gchipeur@millerthomson.com
Agent
Eugene Meehan, Q.C.
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
100 - 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0R3
Telephone: (613) 695-8855 Ext: 101
FAX: (613) 695-8580
Email: emeehan@supremeadvocacy.ca
Party: British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
Counsel
Roy W. Millen
Ariel Solose
Ariel Solose
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
2600 - 595 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V7X 1L3
Telephone: (604) 631-4220
FAX: (604) 631-3309
Email: roy.millen@blakes.com
2600 - 595 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V7X 1L3
Telephone: (604) 631-4220
FAX: (604) 631-3309
Email: roy.millen@blakes.com
Agent
David Taylor
Power Law
130 Albert Street
Suite 1103
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
Telephone: (613) 702-5563
FAX: (613) 702-5563
Email: dtaylor@powerlaw.ca
130 Albert Street
Suite 1103
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
Telephone: (613) 702-5563
FAX: (613) 702-5563
Email: dtaylor@powerlaw.ca
Party: Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association
Counsel
Shahzad F. Siddiqui
Abrahams LLP
385 Silver Star Blvd.
Suite 215
Toronto, Ontario
M1V 0E3
Telephone: (416) 291-6786
FAX: (416) 291-8784
Email: shahzad@abrahamsllp.com
385 Silver Star Blvd.
Suite 215
Toronto, Ontario
M1V 0E3
Telephone: (416) 291-6786
FAX: (416) 291-8784
Email: shahzad@abrahamsllp.com
Agent
Yavar Hameed
Hameed & Farrokhzad
43 Florence St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0W6
Telephone: (613) 232-2688 Ext: 228
FAX: (613) 232-2680
Email: yhameed@hf-law.ca
43 Florence St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0W6
Telephone: (613) 232-2688 Ext: 228
FAX: (613) 232-2680
Email: yhameed@hf-law.ca
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.
Charter of Rights and Freedoms – Religious freedom – Freedom of Association – Courts – Jurisdiction – Judicial review – How do the fundamental freedoms of religion and association protect membership decisions of religious communities and other voluntary associations from state and judicial interference – What are the boundaries between what is and is not justiciable with regard to membership and other disputes between members of voluntary associations – Whether the public law remedy of judicial review applies to membership decisions made by voluntary associations such as religious communities?
Mr. Wall was a member of the Highwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, an unincorporated religious association. He was disfellowshipped by a Judicial Committee of elders because he was not sufficiently repentant for two incidents of drunkenness, one of which included verbal abuse of his wife. This required Jehovah’s Witnesses, including his wife and children, to shun him. He is a real estate agent and lost congregation members and other Jehovah’s Witnesses as clients. He appealed to an Appeal Committee which upheld the disfellowship decision. The Watch Tower and Bible Tract Society of Canada decided not to overturn the decision. Mr. Wall applied for judicial review. Wilson J. conducted a hearing to determine whether the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta had jurisdiction to hear the application.
Lower court rulings
April 16, 2015
Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta
1401-10225
Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta
1401-10225
Declaration that Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta has jurisdiction to hear application for judicial review
September 8, 2016
Court of Appeal of Alberta (Calgary)
1501-0120-AC, 2016 ABCA 255
Court of Appeal of Alberta (Calgary)
1501-0120-AC, 2016 ABCA 255
Appeal dismissed
Memorandums of argument on application for leave to appeal
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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.
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Date modified: 2025-02-27