In Flying E. Ranche Ltd. v. Attorney General of Canada
2020 ONSC 8072, Justice Schabas recently
rejected an adjournment sought due to pandemic-related delays, and
ordered a class action trial to proceed via Zoom. In doing so, he
confirmed that the courts have adapted to conducting proceedings
virtually and that parties are expected to make similar efforts and
adhere to court-ordered schedules for virtual hearings.
Background
This action was commenced in 2005, arising from the impact of
the federal government's response to Bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (mad cow disease) on Canadian cattle farmers.
Similar class actions were commenced in other provinces but were
suspended or postponed in favour of the Ontario proceeding. A
77-day trial on the merits was scheduled to begin in January
2021.
