In Her Majesty the Queen v. Canada North Group
Inc., the Supreme Court of Canada (the Court) held that
lower courts can permit the grant of court ordered charges under
the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, RSC
1985, c C-36 (the CCAA), including the interim lender's charge,
in priority to the Minister of National Revenue's (the
Minister) statutory deemed trust claims under the Income
Tax Act, RSC 1985 c 1 (the ITA).
Background
On July 28, 2021, the Court issued its decision in Her
Majesty the Queen v. Canada North Group
Inc. 1 (the Decision) in a 5-4 majority
ruling.
At issue, were court ordered superiority charges requested by
Canada North Group and six related corporations (together Canada
North) pursuant to a CCAA application for initial restructuring
proceedings. Specifically, Canada North requested, and were
granted, super priority charges in relation to: