The Supreme Court of Canada will hear the following appeals this week:
April 16 — Quebec — R. v. Carmelo Venneri
Criminal law: Carmelo Venneri and two others were convicted of trafficking drugs for a criminal organization. The majority of the Court of Appeal allowed Venneri’s appeal in part and found him not guilty on several of the charges.
April 17 — Federal Court — Cogeco Cable Inc. v. Bell Media Inc. (formerly CTV Globemedia Inc.), V Interactions Inc., Newfoundland Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
Administrative law: The Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission is seeking to impose a “value for signal” regime to allow a private local TV station to negotiate with cable TV service providers for the right to retransmit its signals. The CRTC argued the existing model doesn’t reflect recent changes to the broadcasting business environment so it asked the Federal Court of Appeal if it has the jurisdiction to impose this regime under the Broadcasting Act. The judges were unable to reach a consensus.
April 18 — Federal Court — Teva Canada Ltd. v. Pfizer Canada Inc.
Property law: This case relates to a patent dispute. Pfizer received a patent for compounds used in the manufacturing of Viagra. Teva applied for a notice of compliance to produce a generic version of Viagra, claiming the patent was invalid. The Federal Court judge ruled against Teva. The Federal Court of Appeal then dismissed the appeal. There is a sealing order in the case.
April 19 — Quebec — R. v. Suganthini Mayuran
Criminal law: Suganthini Mayuran was convicted of the second-degree murder of her sister-in-law. The majority of the Court of Appeal allowed her appeal and ordered a new trial because the trial judge failed to bring the defence of provocation to the jury’s attention.
At 9:45 a.m. on April 18, the SCC will also release its rulings in the following appeals, which all involve the law of jurisdiction:
1. Club Resorts Ltd. v. Anna Charron (Ont.) (Civil)
2. Club Resorts Ltd. v. Morgan Van Breda (Ont.) (Civil)
3. Richard C. Breeden v. Conrad Black (Ont.) (Civil)
4. Les éditions Écosociété Inc. v. Banro Corp. (Ont.) (Civil)
