MASTER CORPORAL LAFLAMME Appellant v. HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, 2014 CMAC 11
Opinion
Date: 20140826 Docket: CMAC-565 Citation: 2014 CMAC 11 CORAM: COURNOYER J.A. MAINVILLE J.A. GAGNÉ J.A. BETWEEN: MASTER CORPORAL LAFLAMME Appellant and HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Respondent Hearing held at Ottawa, Ontario, on March 14, 2014. Supplemental judgment delivered at Ottawa, Ontario, on August 26, 2014. REASONS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL JUDGMENT AS TO COSTS: COURNOYER J.A.CONCURRED IN BY: MAINVILLE J.A. GAGNÉ J.A. Date: 20140826 Docket: CMAC-565 Citation: 2014 CMAC 11 CORAM: COURNOYER J.A. JUGE MAINVILLE J.A. GAGNÉ J.A.
BETWEEN: MASTER CORPORAL LAFLAMME Appellant and HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN Respondent REASONS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL JUDGMENT AS TO COSTS [1] On June 13, 2014, this Court allowed the appellant’s appeal, but did not order the awarding of fees or costs pursuant to Rule21 of the Court Martial Appeal Court Rules. [2] An accused is generally not entitled to costs, whether he or she is successful or unsuccessful on the merits of the case.
Acourt of appeal will deny costs to an accused who has successfully appealed a criminal matter except where the case of the accused isremarkable or where there is oppressive or improper conduct on the part of the prosecution. See R. v. M. (C.A.), (SCC),[1996] 1 S.C.R. 500, para. 97; R. v. Trask, (SCC), [1987] 2 S.C.R. 304; Tele-Mobile Co. v. Ontario, [2008] 1 S.C.R.305, 2008 SCC 12, para. 55; (Attorney General) v Foster (2006), (ON CA), 215 C.C.C. (3d) 59 (C.A. Ont.), paras62-69. [3] In R. v. Cole, 2012 SCC 53 , [2012] 3 S.C.R. 34, para.106, Justice Fish wrote: Mr.
Cole asks that he be awarded his costs regardless of the outcome of the appeal. While the Court has the discretion to make such anorder, I would decline to do so. There is nothing “remarkable” about this case ― the principal criterion ― and there was no allegation of
“oppressive or improper conduct” on the part of the Crown (R. v. Trask, (SCC), [1987] 2 S.C.R. 304, at p. 308; R. v. M.(C.A.), (SCC), [1996] 1 S.C.R. 500, at para. 97). [4] These principles have been applied by this Court in the following cases: R. v. Bernier, 2003 CMAC 7; R. v. Rose, 2005CMAC 4; R. v. Dominie, 2002 CMAC 8. [5] In Rose, this Court wrote: [2] Under Rule 21(2) of the Court Martial Appeal Rules, the Court has discretion to award costs. Although the Rule gives the Courtbroad discretion, the Court does not award costs routinely.
Nothing in the conduct of this prosecution, nor in the complexity of the issuesraised, takes this case out of the ordinary so as to persuade us to award costs. [6] These principles apply to the appellant’s appeal. [7] For these reasons, it would not be appropriate to award fees or costs in this appeal, and the judgment of this Court need notbe amended in that regard. “Guy Cournoyer” J.A. “I concur. Robert Mainville, J.A.” “I concur. Jocelyne Gagné, J.A.” COURT MARTIAL APPEAL COURT OF CANADA NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD DOCKET: CMAC-565 STYLE OF CAUSE: MASTER CORPORAL LAFLAMME v.
HERMAJESTY THE QUEEN PLACE OF HEARING: Ottawa, Ontario DATE OF HEARING: MARCH 14, 2014REASONS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL JUDGMENT AS TO COSTS: COURNOYER J.A.CONCURRED IN BY: MAINVILLE J.A. GAGNÉ J.A. DATED: AUGUST 26, 2014 APPEARANCES: Michel Drapeau FOR THE appeLlant MASTER CORPORAL LAFLAMME Major Éric Carrier FOR THE RESPONDENT HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SOLICITORS OF RECORD:
Michel Drapeau Counsel Ottawa, Ontario FOR THE appelLant MASTER CORPORAL LAFLAMME Commander J.B.M. Pelletier Deputy Director of Military Prosecutions Ottawa, Ontario For THE RESPONDENT HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
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