- Parties: The appellant was the St. John's International Airport Authority. The respondent was Michel Thibodeau. The interveners were the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada and Canadian Airports Council.

- Subject Matter: The respondent filed complaints against the appellant. The Commissioner of Official Languages found a violation of ss. 22 and 23 of the Official Languages Act, 1985 (OLA) relating to the language of communications and services. The respondent filed an application seeking remedies under s. 77 of the OLA on the grounds that the appellant breached its language obligations under the OLA. The Federal Court awarded the respondent $5,000 in damages upon finding that the appellant violated its language obligations. The appellant challenged the Federal Court’s decision.

- Ruling: The appeal court ruled in the respondent’s favour and dismissed the appeal. The appeal court upheld the Federal Court’s interpretation of s. 4(1) of the Airport Transfer (Miscellaneous Matter) Act, 1992. Regarding s. 23 of the OLA, the legislation’s object and the provision’s wording supported the Federal Court’s interpretation of the provision, the appeal court said. The Federal Court did not err in recognizing that it could award the respondent damages for the appellant’s OLA breaches, the appeal court added.

- Date: The hearing was set on Apr. 11, 2024. The court released its decision on Nov. 25, 2024.

- Venue: This was a federal case before the Federal Court of Appeal.

- Amount: The appeal court awarded the respondent costs in an unspecified amount.