For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
OTTAWA – On Wednesday, January 22, 2020, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association will make oral arguments at the Supreme Court of Canada in a critical case about Charter rights and corporations: Attorney General of Quebec, et al. v. 9147-0732 Québec Inc. The issue in this appeal is whether corporations can benefit from the s. 12 Charter right to protection from cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, or whether this right only applies to humans.
The BCCLA will argue that there is a consensus in international human rights law that protections against cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment only apply to human beings. These rights do not apply to corporations because their purpose is to protect human dignity and prevent physical or psychological suffering. The BCCLA’s position is that extending s. 12 Charter protection to corporations would put Canada out of step with this international consensus. It would also be inconsistent with the purpose and meaning of the right to be free from cruelty.
The BCCLA is represented by Gib van Ert of Gib van Ert Law and Jessica Magonet of the BCCLA.
The BCCLA’s factum is available here.
What: Supreme Court of Canada to hear Attorney General of Quebec, et al. v. 9147-0732 Québec Inc.
When: January 22, 2020 at 9:30 EST / 6:30 PST
Where: Supreme Court of Canada (Ottawa)
Media Contacts:
- Gib van Ert, counsel for the BCCLA, available for comment
- Jessica Magonet, counsel for the BCCLA, available for comment
