(d) Ignorance of the law
Filing a late application for benefits because of ignorance of the law or not understanding one's legal rights and obligations under the legislation does not, in and of itself, constitute "good cause".
Pirotte v. U.I.C., [1977] 1 F.C. 314 (F.C.A.) A-108-76
Canada (A.G.) v. Dunnington, [1984] 2 F.C. 978 (F.C.A.) A-1865-83
Canada (A.G.) v. Albrecht, [1985] 1 F.C. 710 (F.C.A.) A-172-85
Canada (A.G.) v. Caron, [1986] F.C.J. No. 85 (F.C.A.) A-395-85
Canada (A.G.) v. Smith, [1993] F.C.J. No. 368 (F.C.A.) A-549-92
Canada (A.G.) v. Larouche, [1994] F.C.J. No. 1720 (F.C.A.) A-644-93
Canada (A.G.) v. Rouleau, [1995] F.C.J. No. 1203 (F.C.A.) A-4-95
Shebib v. Canada (A.G.) , [2003] F.C.A. 88 (F.C.A.) A-24-01
Canada (A.G.) v. Beaudin, [2005] F.C.J. No. 588 (F.C.A.) A-341-04
On the other hand, ignorance of the law does not necessarily preclude a finding of good cause. Many reasons, including ignorance of the law, may still constitute good cause, provided the claimant is able to establish that he or she acted as a reasonable and prudent person.
Canada (A.G.) v. Albrecht, [1985] 1 F.C. 710 (F.C.A.) A-172-85
Sharma v. Canada (A.G.) , October 15, 1985, F.C.J. No. 920 (F.C.A.) A-1466-84
Canada (A.G.) v. Caron, [1986] F.C.J. No. 85 (F.C.A.) A-395-85
[ previous | table of contents | next ]
2009-04-28