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                                                                                                                                            Date: 20040115

                                                                                                                                        Docket: A-254-03

                                                                                                                                Citation: 2004 FCA 24

CORAM:        STRAYER J.A.

ROTHSTEIN J.A.

SHARLOW J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                            THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA

                                                                                                                                                       Applicant

                                                                                 and

                                                                 DARRYL GARLEY

                                                                                                                                                   Respondent

                                     Heard at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on January 15, 2004.

Judgment delivered from the Bench

at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on January 15, 2004

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT BY:                                                                                  SHARLOW J.A

CONCURRED IN BY:                                                                                                   ROTHSTEIN J.A.

DISSENTING REASONS BY:                                                                                          STRAYER J.A.


                                                                                                                                            Date: 20040115

                                                                                                                                        Docket: A-254-03

                                                                                                                                Citation: 2004 FCA 24

CORAM:        STRAYER J.A.

ROTHSTEIN J.A.

SHARLOW J.A.

BETWEEN:

                                            THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA

                                                                                                                                                       Applicant

                                                                                 and

                                                                 DARRYL GARLEY

                                                                                                                                                   Respondent

                                                        REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

                                      (Delivered from the Bench at Winnipeg, Manitoba

                                                                 on January 15, 2004)

SHARLOW J.A.


[1]                 A number of issues were raised in this application relating to section 51 of the Employment Insurance Regulations, SOR/96-332. The principal issue is whether the Umpire erred in concluding that it was open to the Board of Referees, on the evidence in the record, to find that the workforce reduction was "permanent" for the purposes of paragraph 51(2)(b) of the Regulations. Justice Rothstein and I are of the view that the decision of the Umpire discloses no error of fact or law that warrants the intervention of this Court. For that reason, this application will be dismissed with costs.

                                                                                                                                               "K. Sharlow"                    

             J.A.

STRAYER J.A. (Dissenting)

[2]                 I regret that I am unable to concur in the reasons of my colleagues in which they would dismiss this application.


[3]                 In my view it is sufficient reason to allow the application, and to set aside the Umpire's decision, that neither the Umpire, nor the Board of Referees decision she confirmed, applied the requirement of paragraph 51(2)(b) that the objective of this work-reduction process be a permanent reduction in the overall number of employees. This was an essential criterion to allow them to find "just cause" for the respondent voluntarily severing his employment. To ignore this express requirement was an error of law reviewable on the standard of correctness. If instead the Umpire can be taken to conclude that the facts supported a finding of a permanent arrangement, such a finding was, with respect, made without regard to the material before the Board and the Umpire.

[4]                 I would therefore have allowed the application, set aside the Umpire's decision, and referred the matter back for reconsideration by a different Umpire.

                                                                                                                                              "B.L. Strayer"             

      J.A.


                                                    FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

                              NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

DOCKET:                                                                                     A-254-03

STYLE OF CAUSE:                                                                  The Attorney General of Canada v.                    Darryl Garley

                                                                                   

PLACE OF HEARING:                                                             Winnipeg, Manitoba

DATE OF HEARING:                                                               January 15, 2004

DELIVERED FROM THE BENCH BY:                               Sharlow J.A.

CONCURRED IN BY:                                                              Rothstein J.A.

DISSENTING REASONS BY:                                                Strayer J.A.

APPEARANCES:

Ms. Marta E. Burns

FOR THE APPLICANT                       

Mr. Frank Luce

FOR THE RESPONDENT

SOLICITORS OF RECORD:

Morris Rosenberg

Attorney General of Canada

FOR THE APPLICANT                       

CAW - Canada Legal Department

Toronto, Ontario

FOR THE RESPONDENT


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