BANKRUPTCY |
McMahon v. Canada (Attorney General)
A-224-04
2005 FCA 33, Décary J.A.
25/1/05
3 pp.
Appeal from Federal Court decision ((2004), 252 F.T.R. 1) determining word "shall" in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, s. 14.02(4) directory only, not mandatory--S. 14.02(4) requiring Superintendent of Bankruptcy to provide written reasons to trustee within 3 months of hearing--Superintendent rendering decision 7 months after expiry of time limit, not justifying delay--Trustee seeking judicial review and order quashing decision on basis word "shall" making time limit mandatory--Federal Court's interpretation of "shall" correct in circumstances--Moreover, under Act, s. 187(11), Court may extend time limit imposed by s. 14.02(4) before or after expiry of time limit--Despite use of word "shall", statutory indication time limit in s. 14.02(4) directory rather than mandatory--No reviewable error in balancing respective interests of public, appellant and in finding appellant "suffering little inconvenience or prejudice in Superintendent's failure to decide within prescribed time"-- However, Superintendent's failure sanctioned by awarding appellant costs in both Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal --Appeal dismissed--Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. B-3, ss. 1 (as am. by S.C. 1992, c. 27, s. 2), 14.02(4) (as am. idem, s. 9; 1997, c. 12, s. 13), 187(11).