Freedom vs. Privacy

In a recent 3-2 decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that section 517 of the Criminal Code (giving the right of an accused to invoke a publication ban on pre-trial hearings) was constitutional and therefore did not infringe section 2(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects freedom of expression.

The case, Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. v. Canada, involved seventeen defendants who had allegedly been involved in terrorist plots to blow up various public buildings, including the Parliament building.[1] After applying for and receiving a publication ban on their bail hearings, a group of media companies led by theToronto Star launched an action challenging the publication ban, arguing that the ban violates section 2(b) of the Charter.

Three justices representing the majority ruled that “a publication ban is needed in jury cases to protect an accused’s right to a fair trial under sections 11(d) and 7 of the Charter, by preventing potential jurors from learning of prejudicial information from bail hearings which may never be heard at trial.”[2] Justice Rosenberg, speaking for the dissent, found that the mandatory publication ban violated section 2(b) of theCharter and cannot be saved by section 1, which allows for reasonable limits on Charter rights.[3]

Although the majority upheld the constitutionality of the mandatory publication ban, the court was unanimous in finding that the mandatory nature of the ban was unsatisfactory. The court narrowed the rule to apply only in cases that may be decided by a judge alone. However, a lawyer for the appellant media outlets highlighted the problem that while few cases are tried by jury, many more have the potential to be tried by jury.[4] Justice Feldman for the majority said that the ban was too broad,[5] while Justice Rosenberg argued that it cut off “meaningful and informed public debate.”[6] As there is a rule that in split decisions on a point of law before an appeal court, there is an automatic right of appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, it is likely that this issue has yet to be resolved.[7]

 

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