Haig v. Canada; Haig v. Canada (Chief Electoral Officer)

Haig v. Canada; Haig v. Canada (Chief Electoral Officer)
Collection
Supreme Court Judgments
Date
1993-09-02
Report
[1993] 2 SCR 995
Case number
23223
Judges
Lamer, Antonio; La Forest, Gérard V.; L'Heureux-Dubé, Claire; Sopinka, John; Gonthier, Charles Doherty; Cory, Peter deCarteret; McLachlin, Beverley; Iacobucci, Frank; Major, John C.
On appeal from
Federal Court of Appeal
Subjects
Constitutional law
Elections
Notes
SCC Case Information: 23223
Decision Content
Haig v. Canada; Haig v. Canada (Chief Electoral Officer), [1993] 2 S.C.R. 995
Graham Haig, John Doe and Jane Doe Appellants
v.
The Chief Electoral Officer Respondent
and
The Attorney General of Canada Respondent
and
The Attorney General of Quebec Intervener
Indexed as: Haig v. Canada; Haig v. Canada (Chief Electoral Officer)
File No.: 23223.
1993: March 4; 1993: September 2.
Present: Lamer C.J. and La Forest, L'Heureux‑Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier, Cory, McLachlin, Iacobucci and Major JJ.
on appeal from the federal court of appeal
Constitutional law ‑‑ Charter of Rights ‑‑ Right to vote ‑‑ Federal referendum held everywhere in Canada except Quebec ‑‑ Quebec separate referendum subject to provincial legislation ‑‑ Appellant who moved from Ontario to Quebec unable to vote in federal or Quebec referendum because of different residency requirements in federal and provincial legislation ‑‑ Whether appellant's exclusion from federal referendum infringing s. 3 of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ‑‑ Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30 ‑‑ Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E‑2.
Constitutional law ‑‑ Charter of Rights ‑‑ Freedom of expression ‑‑ Federal referendum held everywhere in Canada except Quebec ‑‑ Quebec referendum subject to provincial legislation ‑‑ Appellant who moved from Ontario to Quebec unable to vote in federal or Quebec referendum because of different residency requirements in federal and provincial legislation ‑‑ Whether appellant's exclusion from federal referendum infringing s. 2 (b) of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ‑‑ Whether s. 2(b) includes a positive right to be provided with a specific means of expression ‑‑ Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30 ‑‑ Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E‑2.
Constitutional law ‑‑ Charter of Rights -- Equality rights ‑‑ Equal benefit of the law ‑‑ New residents of a province ‑‑ Province of residence ‑‑ Federal referendum held everywhere in Canada except Quebec ‑‑ Quebec referendum subject to provincial legislation ‑‑ Appellant who moved from Ontario to Quebec unable to vote in federal or Quebec referendum because of different residency requirements in federal and provincial legislation ‑‑ Whether appellant's exclusion or Quebec's exclusion from federal referendum infringing s. 15(1) of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ‑‑ Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30 ‑‑ Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E‑2.
Elections ‑‑ Federal referendum ‑‑ Interpretation of federal referendum legislation ‑‑ Powers of Chief Electoral Officer ‑‑ Federal referendum held everywhere in Canada except Quebec ‑‑ Quebec referendum subject to provincial legislation ‑‑ Appellant who moved from Ontario to Quebec unable to vote in federal or Quebec referendum because of different residency requirements in federal and provincial legislation ‑‑ Whether federal referendum legislation may be interpreted to extend entitlement to vote in federal referendum to appellant ‑‑ Whether Chief Electoral Officer had power to adapt Canada Elections Act so as to extend entitlement to vote in federal referendum to appellant ‑‑ Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, ss. 3(1) , 7(3) ‑‑ Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E‑2, ss. 9(1), 53, 55(5) ‑‑ Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act, SOR/92‑430.
In September 1992, the federal government directed that a referendum be held on October 26, 1992 on a question relating to the Constitution of Canada in all provinces and territories, except Quebec. Quebec was to hold a separate referendum on the same date and on the same question but in accordance with the provincial legislation. As a result of the different requirements as to residency in the federal and provincial legislation, the appellant Haig, who had moved from Ontario to Quebec in August 1992, was not qualified to vote in the Quebec referendum because he had not resided in that province for six months prior to the referendum, or to vote in the federal referendum because, on the enumeration date, he was not ordinarily resident within one of the polling divisions established for the federal referendum. The appellant brought an application in the Federal Court, seeking a declaration that s. 3 of the federal Referendum Act included a resident who was ordinarily resident in a province at any time in the six‑month period prior to the referendum; or, in the alternative, a declaration that denying him a vote in the federal referendum violated his rights under ss. 3 , 2 (b) and 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms . He also sought a mandamus requiring the Chief Electoral Officer to make reasonable provisions to allow him and others in his situation to be enumerated. The court dismissed the application and the majority of the Federal Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment.
Held (Lamer C.J. and Iacobucci J. dissenting): The appeal should be dismissed. The federal Referendum Act and the Canada Elections Act are constitutional. The appellant's exclusion from the federal referendum did not violate his rights under ss. 2 (b), 3 and 15(1) of the Charter .
Per La Forest, L'Heureux‑Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier and Major JJ.: The federal Referendum Act and the Canada Elections Act did not grant the appellant an entitlement to vote in the federal referendum. The purpose of the Referendum Act is not to obtain the opinion of electors in all Canadian provinces at all times. Section 3(1) of that Act expressly provides that consultation by referendum may be carried out on a national, provincial or multi‑provincial basis. The appellant was ordinarily resident in Quebec on the enumeration date set for the federal referendum and since Quebec was not one of the provinces listed in the federal proclamation, no polling divisions were established in that province for the federal referendum. Therefore, while the appellant came within the definition of a qualified voter, he was not on the enumeration date ordinarily resident in an established polling division and had no entitlement to vote in the federal referendum. The appellant did not retain a right to vote in Ontario by virtue of s. 55(5) of the Canada Elections Act. This section merely states that a person cannot be without an ordinary residence and cannot be construed as meaning that the appellant could not lose his ordinary residence in Ontario for the purpose of voting in the federal referendum until he had qualified as an elector in Quebec, under the relevant Quebec legislation. Such an interpretation would go not only against the wording but also against the spirit of the federal Referendum Act , which clearly extends an entitlement to vote only to those people ordinarily resident in a jurisdiction specified by proclamation.
The Chief Electoral Officer did not have the power to extend the entitlement to vote in the federal referendum to the appellant. Though s. 7(3) of the federal Referendum Act gives the Chief Electoral Officer a discretionary power to adapt the Canada Elections Act in such a manner as he considers necessary for the purposes of applying that Act in respect of a referendum, this power does not extend to authorize a fundamental departure from the scheme of the Referendum Act . Residence is a pivotal feature of the referendum scheme as captured in both pieces of federal legislation and the Order‑in‑Council directed that a referendum be held in a number of clearly specified jurisdictions. The discretionary power of the Chief Electoral Officer could not be exercised to extend the entitlement to vote beyond the parameters established in the Order‑in‑Council. Section 9(1) of the Canada Elections Act only contemplates situations where the provisions of the legislation do not accord with particular needs arising out of any "mistake, miscalculation, emergency or unusual or unforeseen circumstance". The appellant's situation does not fall within these terms. The exclusion of electors not resident in the provinces in question on the enumeration date is the clear and unambiguous consequence of the legislative scheme adopted. Further, s. 9(1) is also restricted to adaptations designed to facilitate the execution of the intent of the Canada Elections Act. The object of this Act, as adapted for the referendum, is to ensure that those who are entitled to vote are given an opportunity to do so. The object is not to enfranchise those who are not entitled to vote.
Section 3 of the Charter does not guarantee Canadians a constitutional right to vote in a referendum. The wording of s. 3 is clear and unambiguous and guarantees only the right to vote in elections of representatives of the federal and the provincial legislative assemblies. The purpose of s. 3 is to grant every citizen of this country the right to play a meaningful role in the selection of elected representatives. Since a referendum is in no way such a selection ‑‑ a referendum is basically a consultative process ‑‑, the Canadian citizens cannot claim a constitutional right to vote in a referendum under s. 3 . The appellant's s. 3 Charter rights were therefore not infringed.
In the context of the 1992 federal referendum, freedom of expression did not include a constitutional right for all Canadians to be provided with a specific means of expression. Though a referendum is undoubtedly a platform for expression, s. 2 (b) of the Charter does not impose upon a government any positive obligation to consult its citizens through the particular mechanism of a referendum, nor does it confer upon all citizens the right to express their opinions in a referendum. In an other context, however, s. 2 (b) could impose a positive governmental action. A referendum as a platform of expression is a matter of legislative policy and not of constitutional law. While s. 2(b) does not include the right to any particular means of expression, where a government chooses to provide one, it must do so in a fashion that is consistent with the Constitution. Here, the federal government did not violate s. 2 (b) either in holding its referendum or in holding it in less than all provinces and territories. The appellant was unable to vote simply because, on the enumeration date, he was not ordinarily resident in a province where the federal referendum was held, a limitation which does not infringe the appellant's freedom of expression as guaranteed in the Charter .
In providing a platform of expression to less than all Canadians, the federal government did not infringe the appellant's s. 15(1) Charter guarantee of equal benefit of the law. The new residents of a province do not constitute a disadvantaged group within the contemplation of s. 15(1) . People moving to Quebec less than six months before a referendum date do not suffer from stereotyping, or social prejudice. Though its members were unable to vote in the Quebec referendum, the group is not one which has suffered historical disadvantage, or political prejudice. Nor does the group appear to be "discrete and insular". As well, the exclusion of one province from the federal referendum legislation does not violate s. 15(1) . The decision of the Governor in Council to hold a referendum only in a specific number of provinces is a constitutionally permissible exercise of the discretion accorded to the government under s. 3(1) of the federal Referendum Act . Both the decision to hold a referendum and the decision as to the number of provinces in which a referendum will be held are policy decisions left entirely to governments and legislatures. In a federal system, province‑based distinctions do not automatically give rise to a presumption of discrimination. Section 15(1) , while prohibiting discrimination, does not alter the division of powers between governments, nor does it require that all federal legislation must always have uniform application to all provinces.
Per McLachlin J.: The reasons of L'Heureux‑Dubé J. were generally agreed with. Parliament's decision to hold a referendum in only some areas of Canada, and thus to exclude the residents outside these areas from the federal referendum, is not contrary to the Charter . However, had the law enacted a truly national referendum, the appellant's freedom of expression would have been violated. But even with a broad and liberal reading of residency requirements aimed at enfranchising as many Canadians as possible in every situation where that result could be attained without infringing the law, there was no legal basis upon which the Chief Electoral Officer could have registered a Quebec resident in a referendum which by its terms excluded Quebec.
Per Cory J.: The right to vote is of fundamental importance to Canadians and to our democracy. In all enfranchising statutes, the provisions granting the right to vote should be given a broad and liberal interpretation and restrictions on that right should be narrowly construed. Every effort should be made to interpret the statute to enfranchise the voter. These principles applicable to the right to vote in elections should be applied in the same manner to the right to vote in a referendum. The Chief Electoral Officer thus has a duty to insure that as many Canadians as possible are enfranchised in every situation where that result can be attained without infringing the law. Flexibility must be given to the concept of residence, particularly in enfranchising statutes. The concept of residence as a requirement of exercising the right to vote was designed to facilitate the attainment of the principle of one person one vote and should not be used as a means of depriving a person of this right. It follows that the term "ordinarily resident" in an enfranchising statute should be interpreted broadly in the context of today's mobile society and in the light of the vital importance of the right to vote. There is no reason for departing from this approach and practice under the federal Referendum Act . Here, under the requisite flexible test of residency, it would be wrong to automatically hold that those who had moved to Quebec before the referendum enumeration date could, on that basis alone, be denied the right to vote in a federal polling division outside Quebec. Unfortunately, the appellant did not apply to be enumerated in his former riding and it is impossible to determine on the facts presented if there was a sufficient connection to a riding within the federal referendum to warrant his addition to the voter's list. Since the referendum is now long past, this is not a proper case in which to grant declaratory relief.
Per Iacobucci J. (dissenting): The appellant was entitled to vote in the federal referendum. The referendum contemplated by the federal Referendum Act was aimed at all Canadians citizens entitled to vote in a federal election; to accomplish that end, the federal referendum was coordinated with the Quebec referendum. While, in a formal sense, two referenda were held, to focus on the technicalities of separate referenda can only obscure the national character of the referendum. Appellant's right to express his political views by participating in a national referendum is guaranteed by s. 2 (b) of the Charter . The right to express opinions in social and political decision‑making is clearly protected by s. 2 (b). The referendum was an important expressive activity relating to constitutional change in this country and Parliament was apparently under a political obligation to follow the referendum's results. The effect of the federal Referendum Act , however, was to deprive the appellant and other recently arrived in Quebec of their rights to participate in the referendum. Accordingly, their s. 2 (b) rights were violated. In the absence of any evidence on s. 1 of the Charter , the violation of the appellant's s. 2 (b) rights has not been justified. The proper remedy would have been to expand the definition of "elector" in s. 3(1) of the Referendum Act . The Chief Electoral Officer, relying on s. 7(3) of the Referendum Act, could have used s. 9(1) of the Canada Elections Act to permit the appellant to vote.
Per Lamer C.J. (dissenting): Cory J.'s approach to the definition of residency for voting purposes and Iacobucci J.'s reasons concerning s. 2 (b) of the Charter were agreed with.
Cases Cited
By L'Heureux‑Dubé J.
Referred to: Canadian National Railway Co. v. Canada (Canadian Human Rights Commission), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1114; Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries (Sask.), [1991] 2 S.C.R. 158; RWDSU v. Dolphin Delivery Ltd., [1986] 2 S.C.R. 573; BCGEU v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 1988] 2 S.C.R. 214; Ford v. Quebec (Attorney General), [1988] 2 S.C.R. 712; Devine v. Quebec (Attorney General),[1988] 2 S.C.R. 790; Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Quebec (Attorney General), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; Slaight Communications Inc. v. Davidson,[1989] 1 S.C.R. 1038; Edmonton Journal v. Alberta (Attorney General), [1989] 2 S.C.R. 1326; Reference re ss. 193 and 195.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code (Man.), [1990] 1 S.C.R. 1123; Rocket v. Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 232; R. v. Keegstra, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 697; Canada (Human Rights Commission) v. Taylor,[1990] 3 S.C.R. 892; R. v. Butler, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452; R. v. Zundel, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 731; Re Allman and Commissioner of the Northwest Territories (1983), 144 D.L.R. (3d) 467 (N.W.T.S.C.), aff'd (1983), 8 D.L.R. (4th) 230 (C.A.), leave to appeal to S.C.C. refused, [1984] 1 S.C.R. v; Reference re Public Service Employee Relations Act (Alta.), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 313; R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295; Schachter v. Canada, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 679; Andrews v. Law Society of British Columbia, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 143; R. v. Turpin, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1296; R. v. S. (S.), [1990] 2 S.C.R. 254; Thorne's Hardware Ltd. v. The Queen, [1983] 1 S.C.R. 106.
By Cory J.
Referred to: Cawley v. Branchflower (1884), 1 B.C.R. (Pt. II) 35; Re Lincoln Election (1876), 2 O.A.R. 316; In Re Provincial Elections Act (1903), 10 B.C.R. 114; Re Voters' List of the Township of Seymour (1899), 2 Ont. Elec. 69; Hipperson v. Newbury District Electoral Registration Officer, [1985] Q.B. 1060; Re Fitzmartin and Village of Newburgh (1911), 24 O.L.R. 102; Tenold v. Chapman (1981), 9 Sask. R. 278; Fells v. Spence, [1984] N.W.T.R. 123.
By Iacobucci J. (dissenting)
R. v. Zundel, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 731; Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Quebec (Attorney General), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; Native Women's Assn. of Canada v. Canada, [1992] 3 F.C. 192.
Statutes and Regulations Cited
Act respecting the process for determining the political and constitutional future of Québec, S.Q. 1991, c. 34, s. 32.
Act to amend the Act respecting the process for determining the political and constitutional future of Québec, S.Q. 1992, c. 47, s. 2.
Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E‑2 [as adapted by SOR/92‑430], ss. 9(1), 50(1), 53(1), 55 to 59, 60, 62, 65(1), 68 (Sch. IV, r. 42 et seq.).
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, ss. 1 , 2 (b), 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 15(1) .
Constitution Act, 1982 .
Constitutional Amendment Approval Act, S.B.C. 1991, c. 2.
Constitutional Referendum Act, S.A. 1992, c. C‑22.25 [am. 1992, c. 36, s. 2].
Constitutional Referendum Amendment Act, 1992, S.A. 1992, c. 36, s. 2.
Election Act, R.S.Q., c. E‑3.3, ss. 1 [am. 1992, c. 38, s. 1 & adapted idem, s. 93], 2 [adapted idem, s. 93].
Federal Court Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. F‑7, ss. 2(1) "federal board, commission or other tribunal" [rep. & sub. 1990, c. 8, s. 1], 17 [idem, s. 3 ], 18 [idem, s. 4 ], 18.1 [ad. idem, s. 5 ], 48.
Referendum Act, R.S.Q., c. C‑64.1, ss. 7 [am. 1992, c. 38, s. 79], 8 [am. idem, s. 80], 9 [am. idem, s. 81], 13 [am. idem, s. 82], 16 [repl. idem, s. 84], 44 to 47 [am. idem, s. 92], App. 2 [am. idem, s. 93].
Referendum Act, S.B.C. 1990, c. 68.
Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, ss. 3(1) , 5(1) , 6(1) , 7 .
Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act, SOR/92‑430.
Authors Cited
Beaudoin, Gérald‑A. "Democratic Rights". In Gérald‑A. Beaudoin and Ed Ratushny, eds., The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms , 2nd ed. Toronto: Carswell, 1989, 265.
Beckton, Clare. "Freedom of Expression". In Walter S. Tarnopolsky and Gérald‑A. Beaudoin, eds., The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms : Commentary. Toronto: Carswell, 1982, 75.
Berlin, Isaiah. "Two Concepts of Liberty". In Four Essays on Liberty. London: Oxford University Press, 1969, 118.
Blais, Jean Jacques. "Freedom of Expression and Public Administration". In David Schneiderman, ed., Freedom of Expression and the Charter. Scarborough, Ont.: Thomson Professional Publishing Canada, 1991, 446.
Boyer, J. Patrick. Election Law in Canada: The Law and Procedure of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Elections, vol. 1. Toronto: Butterworths, 1987.
Emerson, Thomas Irwin. The System of Freedom of Expression. New York: Random House, 1970.
Fiss, Owen M. "Free Speech and Social Structure". In Jules Lobel, ed., A Less Than Perfect Union: Alternative Perspectives on the U.S. Constitution. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1988, 346.
Hogg, Peter W. Constitutional Law of Canada, vol. 2, 3rd ed. (Supplemented). Scarborough, Ont.: Carswell, 1992 (loose‑leaf).
House of Commons Debates, vol. 132, No. 144, 3rd sess., 34th Parl., May 19, 1992, at pp. 10854, 10889.
House of Commons Debates, vol. 132, No. 165, 3rd sess., 34th Parl., September 8, 1992, at p. 12732.
House of Commons Debates, vol. 132, No. 166A, 3rd sess., 34th Parl., September 9, 1992, at p. 12786.
Hutchinson, Allan C. "Money Talk: Against Constitutionalizing (Commercial) Speech" (1990), 17 Can. Bus. L.J. 2.
Lederman, W. R. "Democratic Parliaments, Independent Courts, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms " (1985), 11 Queen's L.J. 1.
MacKay, A. Wayne. "Freedom of Expression: Is It All Just Talk?" (1989), 68 Can. Bar Rev. 713.
Montigny, Yves de. "The Difficult Relationship Between Freedom of Expression and Its Reasonable Limits" (1992), 55 Law & Contemp. Probs. 35.
Qualter, Terence H. The Election Process in Canada. Toronto: McGraw‑Hill, 1970.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, [1992] 3 F.C. 611, 145 N.R. 233, 97 D.L.R. (4th) 71, dismissing the appellants' appeal from an order of Denault J. (1992), 57 F.T.R. 1, 97 D.L.R. (4th) 64, and dismissing their appeal (except on a procedural point) from an order of Joyal J., [1992] 3 F.C. 602, 57 F.T.R. 6. Appeal dismissed, Lamer C.J. and Iacobucci J. dissenting.
Philippa Lawson, for the appellants.
N. J. Schultz and H. McManus, for the respondent the Chief Electoral Officer.
Jean‑Marc Aubry, Q.C., and Richard Morneau, for the respondent the Attorney General of Canada.
Jean‑François Jobin and Dominique A. Jobin, for the intervener.
//Lamer C.J.//
The following are the reasons delivered by
Lamer C.J. (dissenting) -- I agree with Cory J. with respect to the proper approach to the definition of residency for voting purposes. I also agree with Iacobucci J. concerning s. 2 (b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and with respect to his proposed disposition of this appeal. I would, therefore, dispose of the appeal as proposed by Iacobucci J.
//L'Heureux-Dubé J.//
The judgment of La Forest, L'Heureux-Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier and Major JJ. was delivered by
L'Heureux-Dubé J. -- On October 26, 1992, two referenda were held in Canada, each concerning proposed amendments to the Canadian Constitution. Graham Haig was not able to cast a ballot in either. This was unfortunate. The only issue in the present appeal is this: Was Graham Haig entitled to cast a ballot in the federal referendum?
At that specific moment in Canadian history, there was a confluence of political pressures, concerns and events. Among these was the ongoing and often politically heated constitutional dialogue. In order to seek the views of Canadians on this crucial issue of constitutional change, the federal government and the provincial governments who so desired had available a variety of options: commissions, surveys, opinion polls, referenda, etc. Quebec had legally bound itself to hold a referendum on sovereignty, while British Columbia and Alberta had articulated the possibility that they would hold provincial referenda dealing with constitutional change, and that they would consider themselves bound by the results. It was in this context that the federal government undertook to hold a referendum in those provinces where a provincial referendum would not otherwise be held. This choice was in accord with the desire and the authority of the provinces to consult their own electors as they saw fit.
In the end, only two referenda were held: one in Quebec pursuant to Quebec's provincial referendum legislation, the other in the rest of Canada pursuant to the federal referendum legislation. The model chosen by the federal government was one which was open to them under the relevant legislation, which specifically allowed for referenda to be conducted in one or more provinces. The model chosen was, at the time, thought to be politically sound by both the federal and the provincial governments.
The mechanics of the two referenda were governed by the elections legislation of each government. The federal and the Quebec elections legislation, though similar in certain respects, are not mirror images of each other, but contain different provisions on a number of issues including: the preparation of electoral lists, methods of voting, financing, referendum publicity and spending, the roles and functions of the Chief Electoral Officers and their staff, and residency requirements. The residency provisions of the Quebec elections legislation, in particular, diverge from those in the federal legislation by requiring six months residency in order to be eligible to vote. It was this residency requirement which resulted in some Quebec residents, Mr. Haig in particular, not being able to cast their vote, and which is at the heart of this case.
Were the Quebec residents who were not entitled to vote in the Quebec referendum nonetheless entitled to vote in the federal referendum? To answer this question, it is essential to more fully refer to the political events and legislative context leading up to October 26, 1992.
Facts
On April 17, 1982, the Constitution Act, 1982 was proclaimed into force. The Meech Lake Accord, which proposed certain amendments to the Constitution Act, 1982 , was not ratified by all provincial legislatures within the allotted time period, and failed on June 23, 1990. As a result of these events, Bill 150, An Act respecting the process for determining the political and constitutional future of Québec, S.Q. 1991, c. 34, s. 32, came into force on June 20, 1991. According to Chapter I of this Bill, the Government of Quebec was required to hold a referendum on the sovereignty of Quebec no later than October 26, 1992.
On June 23, 1992, the Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30 , came into force. This Act provided a mechanism for the federal government to obtain the opinion of the electors of Canada, or the electors of one or more provinces, on issues related to the Canadian Constitution.
On August 28, 1992, the Prime Minister of Canada, the ten provincial premiers, the leaders of the territorial governments and representatives of four aboriginal associations, came to an agreement which has become known as the "Charlottetown Accord". This agreement proposed substantial amendments to the Constitution of Canada.
On September 3, 1992, as a direct result of the Charlottetown Accord, Bill 44, An Act to amend the Act respecting the process for determining the political and constitutional future of Québec, S.Q. 1992, c. 47, was introduced into the Quebec National Assembly. This Bill, which came into force on September 8, 1992, amended Bill 150 so that the Government of Quebec was still obligated to hold a referendum on October 26, 1992, but the subject of the referendum would be the Charlottetown Accord, rather than Quebec sovereignty. Similarly, on September 8, 1992, the Prime Minister of Canada announced that a referendum would be held on October 26, 1992, the subject of which would also be the Charlottetown Accord.
On September 9, the Premier of Quebec, pursuant to s. 8 of the Referendum Act, R.S.Q., c. C‑64.1, put before the National Assembly the proposed text of the question to be the subject of the October 26, 1992 Quebec referendum. The same day, pursuant to s. 5(1) of the Referendum Act (Canada), the proposed text of the question which was to be the subject of the federal referendum was put before the House of Commons. Both questions were identical. The House of Commons approved the text of the federal referendum question on September 10, and the Senate approved the text on September 15. The National Assembly, pursuant to ss. 8 and 9 of the Referendum Act (Quebec) approved the text of the Quebec referendum question on September 16.
On September 17, 1992, pursuant to s. 3(1) of the Referendum Act (Canada), a proclamation was issued by Order-in-Council P.C. 1992-2045 directing that a referendum be held to obtain the opinion of the electors of "the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland, the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories" on a question relating to the Constitution of Canada. The referendum was to be held October 26, 1992, its conduct to be governed by the Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E-2, as adapted for the purposes of the referendum. One of these provisions states that any Canadian citizen of 18 years of age who, on the enumeration date, was ordinarily resident within one of the polling divisions established for the referendum, would be entitled to cast a ballot.
On September 27, 1992, pursuant to s. 13 of the Referendum Act (Quebec), the Government of Quebec ordered Quebec's Chief Electoral Officer to hold a referendum on October 26, 1992, to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Election Act, R.S.Q., E-3.3, as adapted for the purposes of the referendum. According to one of these provisions, any Canadian citizen of 18 years of age who, on the polling day, had been domiciled in Quebec for six months, would be entitled to cast a ballot.
In August of 1992, Graham Haig moved from Ontario to Quebec. On the enumeration day for the federal referendum, Mr. Haig was no longer ordinarily resident in a polling division established for the federal referendum, and so, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Elections Act, he was not included on the list of voters entitled to vote in the federal referendum. At the same time, having been domiciled in Quebec for less than six months, he did not meet the eligibility requirements under the Election Act (Quebec), and so was not included on the list of voters eligible to vote in the Quebec referendum. The result was, of course, that Mr. Haig was not enumerated and consequently could not vote in either referendum.
Proceedings
On September 30, 1992, Mr. Haig instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Trial Division, filing an originating notice of motion under s. 18.1 of the Federal Court Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. F-7 . On behalf of himself and un-named others (represented by John Doe and Jane Doe), an application was brought against Her Majesty the Queen and the Chief Electoral Officer, seeking a declaration that s. 3 of the Referendum Act (Canada) included the applicants, and mandamus, requiring the respondents to make reasonable provisions to allow for the enumeration of the applicants. Notice was given to the Attorney General of Canada that the constitutional validity of the federal Order-in-Council would be challenged.
On October 7, 1992, counsel for Her Majesty the Queen made a preliminary application before Denault J. in the Federal Court, Trial Division, to have Her Majesty the Queen struck as a respondent on the basis that the court had no jurisdiction under s. 18.1 of the Federal Court Act to grant the remedies requested against the Queen. Denault J. granted the application, striking the Queen as respondent: (1992), 57 F.T.R. 1, 97 D.L.R. (4th) 64. The applicants then brought an additional application to add the Attorney General of Canada as respondent. Both applications were heard before and dismissed by Joyal J. in the Federal Court, Trial Division: [1992] 3 F.C. 602, 57 F.T.R. 6.
The appellants appealed the orders of Denault J. and Joyal J., and the respondent Chief Electoral Officer cross-appealed. The appeals and cross-appeal were joined and heard on October 19, 1992 before the Federal Court of Appeal, which added the Attorney General as a party, dismissed the appeal from the order of Denault J. as moot, dismissed the Chief Electoral Officer's cross-appeal, and also dismissed the original application on its merits: [1992] 3 F.C. 611, 145 N.R. 233, 97 D.L.R. (4th) 71. The appellants now appeal to this Court. The Chief Electoral Officer initially cross-appealed on an issue of jurisdiction related to parliamentary privilege, but that cross-appeal was discontinued on February 25, 1993.
Relevant Legislation
Referendum Act, R.S.Q., c. C-64.1
7. The Government may order that the electors be consulted by referendum
(a) on a question approved by the National Assembly in accordance with sections 8 and 9, or
(b) on a bill adopted by the National Assembly in accordance with section 10.
As soon as the National Assembly is informed of the question or bill contemplated in the first paragraph, the Secretary General of the National Assembly shall notify the chief electoral officer thereof in writing.
The chief electoral officer shall send a copy of the notice to the returning officer of each electoral division.
16. The lists of electors shall be established within the eighteen days following the day on which the National Assembly was informed of the question or bill comtemplated in section 7.
Election Act, R.S.Q., c. E-3.3 (as adapted pursuant to ss. 44 to 47 of the Referendum Act, R.S.Q., c. C-64.1)
1. Every person who
(1) has attained eighteen years of age;
(2) is a Canadian citizen;
(3) has been domiciled in Québec for six months or, in the case of an elector outside Québec, for twelve months;
(4) is not under curatorship; and
(5) is not deprived of election rights, pursuant to section 568, is a qualified elector.
Every person registered in the registry of electors outside Québec is deemed to be domiciled in Québec.
2. To exercise his right to vote, a person must be a qualified elector on polling day and be registered on the list of electors of the polling subdivision where his domicile is situated on the day of the notification provided for in section 7 of the Referendum Act, or be registered in the registry of electors outside Québec.
Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30
3. (1) Where the Governor in Council considers that it is in the public interest to obtain by means of a referendum the opinion of electors on any question relating to the Constitution of Canada, the Governor in Council may, by proclamation, direct that the opinion of electors be obtained by putting the question to the electors of Canada or of one or more provinces specified in the proclamation at a referendum called for that purpose.
. . .
6. (1) On the issue of a proclamation, the Chief Electoral Officer shall, in accordance with the proclamation, issue writs of referendum in the form set out in Schedule I for all electoral districts in Canada or in the province or provinces specified in the proclamation.
. . .
7. (1) Subject to this Act, the Canada Elections Act, as adapted pursuant to subsection (3), applies in respect of a referendum, and, for the purposes of that application, the issue of writs of referendum shall be deemed to be the issue of writs for a general election.
(2) The provisions of the Canada Elections Act referred to in Schedule II do not apply in respect of a referendum.
(3) Subject to this Act, the Chief Electoral Officer may, by regulation, adapt the Canada Elections Act in such manner as the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary for the purposes of applying that Act in respect of a referendum.
(4) The Chief Electoral Officer may make regulations
(a) respecting the conduct of a referendum; and
(b) generally for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act.
Canada Elections Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E-2 (as adapted for the purposes of a referendum, SOR/92-430)
9. (1) Where, during the course of a referendum, it appears to the Chief Electoral Officer that, by reason of any mistake, miscalculation, emergency or unusual or unforeseen circumstance, any of the provisions of this Act do not accord with the exigencies of the situation, the Chief Electoral Officer may, by particular or general instructions extend the time for doing any act, increase the number of referendum officers or polling stations or otherwise adapt any of the provisions of this Act to the execution of its intent, to such extent as he considers necessary to meet the exigencies of the situation.
50. (1) Every person who
(a) has attained the age of eighteen years, and
(b) is a Canadian citizen,
is qualified as an elector.
. . .
53. (1) Subject to this Act, every person who is qualified as an elector is entitled to have his name included in the list of electors for the polling division in which that person is ordinarily resident on the enumeration date for the referendum and to vote at the polling station established therein.
. . .
55. (1) The rules in this section and sections 56 to 59 and 62 apply to the interpretation of the expressions "ordinarily resident" and "ordinarily resided" in any section of this Act in which those expressions are used with respect to the right of a voter to vote.
(2) Subject to this section and sections 56 to 59 and 62, the question as to where a person is or was ordinarily resident at any material time or during any material period shall be determined by reference to all the facts of the case.
(3) The place of ordinary residence of a person is, generally, the place that has always been, or that the person has adopted as, the place of his habitation or home, and to which he intends to return when he is away from it.
(4) Where a person usually sleeps in one place and has his meals or is employed in another place, the place of his ordinary residence is where the person sleeps.
(5) A person can have only one place of ordinary residence and it cannot be lost until another is gained.
Order-in-Council P.C. 1992-2045, dated September 17, 1992
WHEREAS, pursuant to subsection 3(1) of the Referendum Act , the Governor in Council considers that it is in the public interest to obtain by means of a referendum the opinion of electors on the question hereinafter set out relating to the Constitution of Canada;
WHEREAS, pursuant to section 4 of that Act, no proclamation may be issued before the text of the referendum question has been approved under section 5 of that Act;
AND WHEREAS the text of the referendum question hereinafter set out was approved by the House of Commons under section 5 of that Act of September 10, 1992 and was concurred in thereunder by the Senate on September 15, 1992;
THEREFORE, HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL IN COUNCIL, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, pursuant to subsection 3(1) of the Referendum Act , is pleased hereby to order that a proclamation do issue directing that the opinion of electors be obtained by putting to the electors of the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta Newfoundland, the Yukon Te