Motion for class proceeding certification was dismissed

Class and representative proceedings

Motion for class proceeding certification was dismissed

Plaintiffs were chief and First Nations group, who were subject of treaties made between 1871 and 1921. Members of group received $5 yearly payment, from rate set in 1875. Plaintiffs claimed that lack of adjustment to yearly rate rendered payments meaningless. Plaintiffs moved to have action certified, to include other First Nations under treaties. Motion was dismissed, as Federal Court found there was no common issue. Plaintiffs appealed from dismissal of motion. Appeal dismissed. Federal Court identified proper issues and authorities. Court’s finding that plaintiffs sought relief beyond what was established in caselaw was proper. Different treaties were in place for proposed class members, so that common question was not established. Had scope of action been limited to one treaty, problem would have been avoided.
R. v. Horseman (2016), 2016 CarswellNat 4975, 2016 FCA 238, Johanne Gauthier J.A., David Stratas J.A., and Mary J.L. Gleason J.A. (F.C.A.); affirmed (2015), 2015 CarswellNat 5461, 2015 CarswellNat 9094, 2015 FC 1149, 2015 CF 1149, Russel W. Zinn J. (F.C.).