Federal Court of Appeal Decisions

Date: 20121106

Docket: A-338-11

Citation: 2012 FCA 281

[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]

Heard at Montréal, Quebec, on November 6, 2012.

Judgment delivered from the Bench at Montréal, Quebec, on November 6, 2012.

Date: 20121106

Docket: A-338-11

Citation: 2012 FCA 281

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

(Delivered from the Bench at Montréal, Quebec, on February 5, 2018).

NADON J.A.

[1]               This is an appeal from a decision by the Federal Court dated August 21, 2011, 2011 FC 1014, which dismissed the appellant's application for judicial review that was filed regarding a decision by the Canada Revenue Agency (the “Agency”). More specifically, the Agency dismissed the application for interest relief submitted by the appellant under subsection 220(3.1) of the Income Tax Act.

[2]               The reasons for this decision by the Agency are found in a letter dated February 2, 2010, sent by Ms. Francine Laporte, Team Leader, Revenue Collections, Montréal Tax Services Office, Canada Revenue Agency, to counsel for the appellant.

[3]               First, according to Ms. Laporte, the application for interest relief was statute-barred. Second, due to paragraph 18 of an agreement entered into between the parties on November 25, 2002 (“the agreement”), Ms. Laporte said that she believed that the appellant had waived its right to appeal and its right to file a fairness claim.

[4]               We are all of the opinion that we must intervene in this case. With regard to the issue of limitation, the parties agree—indeed, that is what the Federal Court also decided—that in the light of our decision in Bozzer v. Canada (Minister of Revenue), on June 2, 2011, 2011 FCA 186, the appellant’s application for interest relief is not statute-barred. As for paragraph 18 of the agreement, in our opinion, Ms. Laporte could not conclude as she did without considering the agreement as a whole; more specifically, paragraphs 8 and 23 of that agreement.

[5]               Before concluding, we note that the parties agree that the appellant may file, it is so desires, an application under subsection 152(4.2) of the Act with the understanding that the first date on which the appellant learned of the assessment that is the source of this dispute, and its interest, is May 26, 2004.

[6]               For these reasons, the appeal will be allowed, the Federal Court’s decision will be set aside, the application for judicial review will be allowed, and the case will be returned to the Agency for reconsideration of the application for interest relief in the light of the entire file and the agreement.

"M Nadon"

Certified true translation

François Brunet, Revisor

FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

NAMES OF COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS OF RECORD

APPEARANCES:

SOLICITORS OF RECORD: