Supreme Court won’t hear former broadcast commissioner’s challenge of dismissal

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear a former commissioner’s appeal of his dismissal from the federal broadcast regulator.

The high court decision means Raj Shoan may have exhausted legal avenues to regain his position with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The federal cabinet ended Shoan’s tenure with the commission four years ago, saying he had inappropriate contact with stakeholders, refused to respect internal processes and made negative public statements about the regulator.

The Federal Court dismissed Shoan’s application for judicial review of the order, concluding it was reasonable.

Last year the Federal Court of Appeal upheld the decision and declined to entertain what it called a new issue, the federal government’s alleged obligation to investigate Shoan’s claims of racial bias.

As usual, the Supreme Court gave no reason for refusing to hear Shoan’s appeal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2021.

The Canadian Press