D. STATE - Access to Services

 

Leading Cases

 

Eldridge v. British Columbia (Attorney General), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 624

http://www.canlii.org/ca/cas/scc/1997/1997scc89.html

The fact that the legislation did not provide funding for interpreters in hospitals did not violate s.15(1).  Rather, it was the fact that hospital directors did not use their discretion to fund the interpreters that violated s.15(1).

 

Eaton v. Brant County Board of Education, [1997] 1 S.C.R. 241

http://www.canlii.org/ca/cas/scc/1997/1997scc13.html

A disabled child was placed in special education classes against the wishes of her parents.  The Supreme Court of Canada held that the decision to place her in special classes did not constitute the imposition of a burden or disadvantage and it did not constitute the withholding of a benefit or advantage.  It was a decision that was made in the best interests of the child using a child centered analysis. 

 

Auton (Guardian ad litem of) v. British Columbia (Attorney General) 2000 BCSC 1142, Supreme Court of British Columbia

http://www.canlii.org/bc/cas/bcsc/2000/2000bcsc1142.html

Government failure to fund autism treatment violated s.15(1).

 

Auton (Guardian ad litem of) v. British Columbia (Attorney General) 2004 SCC 78, Supreme Court of Canada

http://www.canlii.org/ca/cas/scc/2004/2004scc78.html

Government failure to fund autism treatment does not violate s.15(1).  The claimant group was not denied a benefit that was otherwise available to a comparator group.  The Canadian health care system is not intended to cover all health programs and costs.  Autism programs are not funded because they are not considered to be a core health program.  The lack of funding is not based on discrimination. 

 

R. v. Demers [2003] B.C.J. No. 75, Court of Appeal for British Columbia

http://www.canlii.ca/bc/cas/bcca/2003/2003bcca28.html

Prohibition on picketing outside of abortion clinics violates freedom of expression but is saved under s.1 of the Charter.

 

Chaoulli v. Quebec (Attorney General), [2005] 1 S.C.R. 791

http://www.canlii.org/ca/cas/scc/2005/2005scc35.html

Banning patients from using private health insurance is unconstitutional under the Quebec Charter of Rights.