The tables below list the judgments delivered by the Supreme Court of Canada during 1989. The judgments are listed in the order of publication in the Supreme Court Reports, starting with the first judgments of the year, rendered on January 19, 1989, and ending with the last judgments, rendered on December 21, 1989. The tables give a general illustration of the positions taken by each justice in each case, and how justices concurred or dissented with the decisions of the majority.

The Supreme Court normally reserves its judgment after hearing argument on an appeal, and then gives its judgment at some later date. At the time of these judgments, the court would deliver its reserved decisions at a session in open court. In some cases, the court instead gives its judgment from the bench at the conclusion of the hearing, with a short outline of its reasons. Those judgments are included in the table. The court also could give its decision on an appeal from the bench at the conclusion of the hearing, reasons to follow at a later date.

This table includes cases which were argued in a previous year and reserved, with the judgment given in 1989. Cases which were heard in 1989 and reserved, with judgment in a later year, are included in the article for the later year.

The Court gave 133 judgments in 1989, reported in two volumes of the Supreme Court Reports.

There were several changes in the membership of the court in 1989: Charles Gonthier, a judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal, was appointed on February 1, 1989,Supreme Court of Canada: Biographies of Former Justices: The Honourable Charles Doherty Gonthier. succeeding Justice Beetz who had retired on November 9, 1988;Supreme Court of Canada: Biographies of Former Justices: The Honourable Jean Beetz. Peter Cory, a judge of the Ontario Court of Appeal, was appointed on February 1, 1989,Supreme Court of Canada: Biographies of Former Justices: The Honourable Peter deCarteret Cory. succeeding Justice Le Dain who had retired on November 29, 1988;Supreme Court of Canada: Biographies of Former Justices: The Honourable Gerald Eric Le Dain. Justice McIntyre retired on February 15, 1989, after ten years on the court;Supreme Court of Canada: Biographies of Former Justices: The Honourable William Rogers McIntyre. Beverley McLachlin, chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, was appointed on March 30, 1989, succeeding Justice McIntyre.Supreme Court of Canada: Biographies of Former Justices: Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., C.C.

The Supreme Court Act authorises a retired judge to participate in reserved appeals they have heard prior to their retirement, for up to six months. Justices Le Dain and Estey (who also retired in 1988) did not participate in any decisions after their retirement; Justices Beetz and McIntyre did so.

Judgments Supreme Court Reports 1989: volume 1

Case nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinR. v. Ross, 1 SCR 3Jan 27, 1988Jan 19, 1989NSC–MC–DMC–MC–MDNSNJNJNJR. v. Amway Corp., 1 SCR 21Oct 5, 1988Jan 19, 1989C–UNSC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UUNJNJNJR. v. Hayes, 1 SCR 44Oct 6, 1988Jan 19, 1989C–MNSC–DC–DC–MC–MMDNJNJNJR. v. Genest, 1 SCR 59Jan 29, 1988Jan 26, 1989UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UNJNJNJNJR. v. Duguay, 1 SCR 93 Oct 14, 1988Jan 26, 1989MNSC–MC–MC–MC–MDC–MNJNJNJGranger v. Canada (C.E.I.C.), 1 SCR 141Feb 1, 1989Feb 1, 1989NSNJNSBenchUC–UC–UC–UC–UNJNJNJAndrews v. Law Society of British Columbia, 1 SCR 143Oct 5, 6, 1987Feb 2, 1989C–PNSDC–DPC–RC–PNJNJNJNJOntario (Attorney General) v. Pembina Exploration Canada Ltd., 1 SCR 206Jun 12, 1987Feb 23, 1989C–UNSC–UNSNSUC–UNJNJNJNJR. v. Roman, 1 SCR 230Jan 31, 1989Feb 23, 1989CNJCCCCCCNJNJNJR. v. Hébert, 1 SCR 233Feb 2, 1989Feb 23, 1989NSNJNSCCCCCNJNJNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinAmerican Airlines Inc. v. Canada (Competition Tribunal), 1 SCR 236Mar 1, 1989Mar 1, 1989BenchUNJNJBenchUC–UC–UC–UC–UNSC–UNJSobeys Stores Ltd. v. Yeomans and Labour Standards Tribunal (N.S.), 1 SCR 238Feb 5, 1988Mar 2, 1989C–MC–CC–MC–MMC–RC–CNJNJNJNJB. (B.) v. Child and Family Services, 1 SCR 291Mar 2, 1989Mar 2, 1989BenchUNJNJC–UC–UC–UC–UBenchUNSC–UNJArthur D. Little Inc. v. Coopers & Lybrand, 1 SCR 293Mar 2, 1989Mar 2, 1989NSNJNJNSBenchUC–UC–UC–UNSC–UNJR. v. Gill, 1 SCR 295Mar 3, 1989Mar 3, 1989NSNJNJBenchUNSC–UC–UC–UNSC–UNJR. v. Olson, 1 SCR 296Jan 24, 1989Apr 13, 1989CNJCNSNSCCCNJNJNJBrosseau v. Alberta Securities Commission, 1 SCR 301Mar 28, 1988Mar 9, 1989C–UNSNSC–UC–UC–UUNJNJNJNJRoberts v. Canada, 1 SCR 322Jun 13, 1988Mar 9, 1989C–UC–UNSC–UUNSNSNSNJNJNJBorowski v. Canada (Attorney General), 1 SCR 342Oct 3, 4, 1988Mar 9, 1989C–UNSC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UUNJNJNJR. v. Chaulk (Application), 1 SCR 369Mar 13, 1989Apr 27, 1989CNJNJCCCCCNSCNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinGreater Montreal Protestant School Board v. Quebec (Attorney General), 1 SCR 377Jun 7, 1988Mar 16, 1988C–CMC–MC–MC–RC–MNSNSNJNJNJQuebec (Attorney General) v. Belmoral Mines Ltée, 1 SCR 422Mar 16, 1989Mar 16, 1989NS NJNJBenchUNSNSC–UBenchUC–UC–UNJR. v. Elias, 1 SCR 423Mar 17, 1989Mar 17, 1989NSNJNJBenchUNSC–UC–UNSC–UC–UNJR. v. Bayard, 1 SCR 425Mar 22, 1989Mar 22, 1989NSNJNJNSBenchUC–UNSC–UC–UC–UNJHunter Engineering Co. v. Syncrude Canada Ltd., 1 SCR 426Feb 25, 26, 1988Mar 23, 1989PNSC–RNSD–PC–PC–DPNJNJNJNJR. v. Potvin, 1 SCR 525Oct 6, 1988Mar 23, 1989C–CNSNSC–MMC–RNSC–MNJNJNJPrassad v. Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration), 1 SCR 560Nov 28, 1988Mar 23, 1989C–MNJC–MC–MC–DC–MDMNJNJNJBlack v. Law Society of Alberta, 1 SCR 591Mar 22, 23, 1988Apr 20, 1989C–MNSD–PNSC–MMC–DPNJNJNJNJGeneral Motors of Canada Ltd. v. City National Leasing, 1 SCR 641May 17, 18, 1988Apr 20, 1989UC–UC–UC–UNSC–UC–UNJNJNJNJQuébec Ready Mix Inc. v. Rocois Construction Inc., 1 SCR 695May 17, 18, 1988Apr 20, 1989UC–UC–UC–UNSC–UC–UNJNJNJNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinLaurentide Motels Ltd. v. Beauport (City), 1 SCR 705May 24, 1988Apr 20, 1989NSMC–MC–MC–MC–MC–RNSNJNJNJVeilleux v. Quebec (Commission de protection du territoire agricole), 1 SCR 839May 13, 1987Apr 20, 1989NSUNSC–UC–UC–UNSNJNJNJNJGauthier v. Quebec (Commission de protection du territoire agricole), 1 SCR 859May 11, 1987Apr 20, 1989NSUNSC–UC–UC–UNSNJNJNJNJVenne v. Quebec (Commission de la protection du territoire agricole), 1 SCR 880May 11, 12, 1987Apr 20, 1989NSUNSC–UC–UC–UNSNJNJNJNJLebel v. Winzen Land Corp., 1 SCR 918May 12, 1987Apr 20, 1989NSUNSC–UC–UC–UNSNJNJNJNJReference Re Workers' Compensation Act, 1983 (Nfld.), 1 SCR 922Apr 24, 1989Apr 24, 1989BenchUNJNJC–UC–UBenchUC–UNSC–UC–UNSIrwin Toy Ltd. v. Quebec (Attorney General), 1 SCR 927Nov 19, 20, 1987Apr 27, 1989MD–PC–DPC–MC–MNSNSNJNJNJNJCohnstaedt v. University of Regina, 1 SCR 1011Jan 30, 1989Apr 27, 1989C–UNJNJNSC–UC–UUC–UNJNJNJMaurice v. Priel, 1 SCR 1023Feb 3, 1989Apr 27, 1989NSNJNJC–MC–MC–RC–MC–MC–MMNJR. v. Mcginn, 1 SCR 1035Apr 26, 1989Apr 26, 1989NSNJNJBenchUC–UC–UNSC–UNSC–UNSCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinR. v. Lamb, 1 SCR 1036Apr 28, 1989Apr 28, 1989NSNJNJBenchUC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UNSSlaight Communications Inc. v. Davidson, 1 SCR 1038Oct 8, 1987May 4, 1989MDNSD–PC–MC–MC–MNJNJNJNJVorvis v. Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, 1 SCR 1085Oct 20, 1987May 4, 1989NSC–MMC–MD–PNSC–DPNJNJNJNJCanadian Pacific Air Lines Ltd. v. British Columbia, 1 SCR 1133Jun 8, 9, 10, 1988May 4, 1989NSC–R1C–C1C–PC–R2PC–PNSNJNJNJAir Canada v. British Columbia, 1 SCR 1161Jun 8, 9, 10, 1988May 4, 1989NSC–RC–CC–PD–PPC–PNSNJNJNJBrooks v. Canada Safeway Ltd., 1 SCR 1219Jun 15, 1988May 4, 1989UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UNSNJNJNJJanzen v. Platy Enterprises Ltd., 1 SCR 1252Jun 15, 1988May 4, 1989UC–UC–UNSC–UC–UC–UNSNJNJNJR. v. Turpin, 1 SCR 1296Jun 16, 1988May 4, 1989C–UC–UNSC–UUC–UC–UNSNJNJNJR. v. Howard, 1 SCR 1337May 19, 1988May 18, 1989NSNSC–MMNSC–MDNSNJNJNJElsom v. Elsom, 1 SCR 1367Feb 22, 1989May 18, 1989C–UNJNJNSC–UC–UC–UC–UUC–UNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinR. v. Zeolkowski, 1 SCR 1378Mar 15, 1989May 18, 1989NSNJNJNSC–UNSC–UUC–UC–UNJR. v. Mohl, 1 SCR 1389May 25, 1989May 25, 1989BenchUNJNJBenchUC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UR. v. Lambretta; see also R. v. Adams, 1 SCR 1391May 26, 1989May 26, 1989BenchUNJNJC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UR. v. Tutton, 1 SCR 1392Nov 10, 1987Jun 8, 1989C–PNJC–R1C–R2PC–PC–C1NJNJNJNJR. v. Waite, 1 SCR 1436Nov 10, 1987Jun 8, 1989C–PNJC–R1C–R2PC–PC–C1NJNJNJNJScott v. Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Co., 1 SCR 1445Dec 15, 1988Jun 8, 1989C–DNJC–MC–MC–MDMC–DNJNJNJUnited States of America v. Cotroni; United States of America v. El Zein, 1 SCR 1469May 5, 1988; Feb 22, 23, 1989Jun 8, 1989C–MNJNJNSD1MC–MD2C–MC–MNJR. v. Streu, 1 SCR 1521Feb 23, 1989Jun 8, 1989NSNJNJNSC–UC–UC–UUC–UNSNJYMHA Jewish Community Centre of Winnipeg Inc. v. Brown, 1 SCR 1532Mar 14, 1989Jun 8, 1989C–UNJNJC–UC–UC–UUC–UC–UNSNJAir Canada v. Mcdonnell Douglas Corp., 1 SCR 1554Mar 17, 1989Jun 8, 1989NSNJNJC–UNSC–UC–UNSUC–UNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinMoysa v. Alberta (Labour Relations Board), 1 SCR 1572Mar 20, 1989Jun 8, 1989C–UNJNJC–UC–UNSC–UUC–UC–UNJR. v. Leblanc, 1 SCR 1583Jun 13, 1989Jun 13, 1989BenchUNJNJC–UC–UC–UNSC–UC–UC–UNSR. v. Gagné, 1 SCR 1584Jun 15, 1989Jun 15, 1989NSNJNJBenchUNSC–UNSC–UC–UC–UNSService d'optique Élite Ltée v. Ordre des optométristes du Québec, 1 SCR 1585Jun 16, 1989Jun 16, 1989NSNJNJBenchUNSNSC–UC–UC–UC–UNSR. v. Leduc, 1 SCR 1586Jun 16, 1989Jun 16, 1989NSNJNJBenchUNSNSC–UC–UC–UC–UNSDupont v. Watier, 1 SCR 1588Jun 19, 1989Jun 19, 1989BenchUNJNJBenchUNSC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UNSR. v. Lavigne, 1 SCR 1591Jun 19, 1989Jun 19, 1989BenchUNJNJBenchUNSC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UNSBelcourt Construction Co. v. Roger Marchand Ltée, 1 SCR 1593Jun 21, 1989Jun 21, 1989NSNJNJBenchUNSNSC–UC–UC–UC–UNSR. v. Kalanj, 1 SCR 1594Mar 28, 1988 Jun 22, 1989NSNSMD1D2C–MC–MNJNJNJNJPioneer Hi‑Bred Ltd. v. Canada (Commissioner of Patents), 1 SCR 1623May 26, 1988Jun 22, 1989C–UNPNSUNSC–UC–UNSNJNJNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlinR. v. Pringle, 1 SCR 1645Oct 13, 1988Jun 22, 1989NSNSC–UUC–UNSC–UC–UNJNJNJR. v. Conway, 1 SCR 1659Dec 16, 1988Jun 22, 1989C–MNJNJC–RNSC–MMDNJNJNJBell Canada v. Canada (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission), 1 SCR 1722Feb 21, 1989Jun 22, 1989NSNJNJC–UC–UC–UC–UC–UUC–UNJR. v. Meltzer, 1 SCR 1764Apr 28, 29, 1988Jun 29, 1989NSNPUC–UC–UC–UC–UNJNJNJNJR. v. Heikel, 1 SCR 1776Apr 28, 29, 1988Jun 29, 1989NSNPUC–UC–UC–UC–UNJNJNJNJR. v. Ouellette, 1 SCR 1781April 28, 29, 1988Jun 29, 1989NSNPUC–UC–UC–UC–UNJNJNJNJCase nameArguedDecidedDicksonBeetzMcIntyreLamerWilsonLa ForestL'Heureux-DubéSopinkaGonthierCoryMcLachlin

Supreme Court Reports 1989: volume 2