Christine Lonsdale is a partner in our Litigation Group in Toronto. Ms Lonsdale practices in both English and French. Her practice focuses on professional negligence, complex commercial cases, defamation and privacy and access to information. Ms Lonsdale has appeared as counsel in the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal, the British Columbia Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada. Ms Lonsdale has also appeared before various administrative boards and tribunals. Ms Lonsdale speaks on a variety of matters of substantive and procedural law and teaches trial advocacy.
Ms Lonsdale is one of the Industry Group Leaders of the Privacy Law Group. She brings significant value to clients by advising them with respect to all aspects of privacy law compliance and, in particular, with respect to dealing with privacy law breaches, access rights and access to information requests.
Ms Lonsdale is also member of McCarthy's National Pro Bono Committee. She leads the firm's Unaccompanied Minors Project. This provides a McCarthy's lawyer who acts as a kind of legal guardian for the minor in immigration proceedings. This program is a partnership between McCarthy's, The Immigration Refugee Board, Pro Bono Law Ontario and Peel Children's Aid. She also leads a pilot project to provide legal services to clients served by the Salvation Army. This program is a partnership between McCarthy's, Pro Bono Law Ontario and the Governing Council of the Salvation Army in Canada.
Recent Representative Cases
· Liu et al. v. Silver (2010). Counsel in the Court of Appeal to Dr. Silver on summary judgment motion enforcing limitation period. This was is one of the first cases regarding the new summary judgment rule.
· OCT v. Guibord (2009). Co-counsel for the Ontario College of Teachers and hearing proceeding largely in French. Mr. Guibord was found guilty of professional misconduct for having improperly restrained a number of male students in his social adaptation class whose ages ranged from 7 to 10 years old.
· Milne v. Lackman [2009] O.J. No. 1587. Counsel for physician bringing motion to seek court's permission to interview other treating physicians on terms. Case clarifying law regarding when and how such interviews can be allowed.
· Adbusters v. CanWest, [2008] B.C.J. No. 246 (B.C.S.C.); [2009] 92 B.C.L.R. (4th) 9 (B.C.C.A.). Co-counsel for CanWest on motion to strike on the basis that Charter does not apply before B.C. Superior Court. Counsel before B.C. Court of Appeal, appeal granted. Leave to appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada pending.
· Southern Manitoba Potato Company v. Frito Lay, [2008] O.J. No. 2795. Counsel for Frito Lay before the Superior Court of Justice on motion for summary judgment regarding contract limitation period.
· Thomson v. Zeldin, [2008] O.J. No. 3591; 169 A.C.W.S. (3d) 657. Counsel for Dr. Zeldin successfully resisting pleadings amendment on basis of expired limitation period.
· Manson v. Moffet (2008) CarswellOnt 2479; [2008] O.J. No. 1697. Acted for Plaintiff in internet defamation case. Judgment in favour of the Plaintiff granted.
· Lewis v. CBC (2007) Defended CBC against defamation allegations brought by former Tory Cabinet Minister Doug Lewis. Case dropped by Plaintiff in middle of motion for a directed verdict.
· Chandra v. CBC (2007) Counsel for CBC in defamation case where successfully obtained security for costs against Plaintiff on basis that he appeared to be residing outside of Canada.
· Matthews v. Schnittker, [2008] O.J. No. 3972; 170 A.C.W.S. (3d) 540 (Ont. S.C.J.). Co-counsel in a medical negligence case involving the removal of a brain tumour. Case against Dr. Schnittker dismissed.
· R. v. Stucky (2006), 216 C.C.C. (3d) 148 (Ont. S.C.J.); (2009) 303 D.L.R. (4th) 1 (Ont. C.A.). Co-counsel for Mr. Stucky in a six month prosecution for misleading advertising. The case against Mr. Stucky dismissed at trial. On appeal, Mr. Stucky's acquittal was overturned and a new trial ordered.
· Goodis v. Ministry of Correctional Services, [2006] S.C.J. No. 31 Co-counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada for Jane Doe in access to information matter. Requester's counsel sought access to the sealed record where solicitor-client privilege claimed by the Ministry.
· R. v. Attuah, [2005] O.J. No. 3339. Co-counsel for Mr. Meola regarding fraud and conspiracy to defraud OHIP. On certiorari successfully quashed committal for trial on basis that not a scintilla of evidence supporting committal for trial on all counts.
· Children's Lawyer for Ontario v. Ontario (Information and Privacy Commissioner), (2005) 75 O.R. (3d) 309 (Ont. C.A.) Co-counsel acting as amicus regarding role of Information and Privacy Commissioner on judicial review application and submissions regarding merits.
· Remtulla v. Zeldin, [2005] O.J. No. 3424 Counsel for Dr. Zeldin involving informed consent. Case against Dr. Zeldin dismissed.
· W.D. v. White, (2004) 189 O.A.C. 256. Co-counsel for lawyer regarding whether a new trial lies based on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel barred by settlement and release in solicitor's negligence claim. Argument that an appeal on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel was precluded accepted by the Court of Appeal.
· OCT v. Gaumont (2003). Counsel for the Ontario College of Teachers, hearing proceeding in French. Mr. Gaumont found guilty of professional misconduct regarding improper sexual contact with student.
· Leenen v. CBC, (2001) 54 O.R. (3d) 612 Co-counsel for CBC regarding defamation matter involving scope of defence of fair comment, findings of malice and quantum of damages.
Articles
· "Privacy Law: Questions and Answers", Fall/Winter 2010, Management Ethics.