Breen v Foremost Industries Ltd
PATRICK BREEN
FOREMOST INDUSTRIES LTD.,
ROY H. ALLEN, IN HIS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE OF FOREMOST COMMERCIAL TRUST
BRUCE J. MACLENNAN, IN HIS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE OF FOREMOST COMMERCIAL TRUST
BEVAN MAY, IN HIS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE OF FOREMOST COMMERCIAL TRUST
GORDON M. WIEBE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE OF FOREMOST COMMERCIAL TRUST

Key Points:

  1. Trial Decision:
    • Breen's wrongful dismissal action was dismissed.
    • Breen was found to have breached fiduciary duties as President and CEO, including making misrepresentations and using company funds for personal benefit.
  2. Liabilities:
    • $55,974.90 USD and $110,250 CAD for gifts to his corporation.
    • $113,000 USD for fraudulent agent fees.
    • $200,000 CAD in damages.
    • $50,000 CAD in punitive damages.
  3. Costs Award:
    • Foremost Group sought full indemnity costs; Breen argued for party-party costs.
    • The court referenced Alberta Rules of Court and precedents, determining full indemnity costs were warranted due to Breen's misconduct.
  4. Assessment:
    • Proportionality and reasonableness were key considerations.
    • Costs were allocated to avoid double counting between the wrongful dismissal action and the counterclaim.
  5. Final Costs:
    • Fees: $714,931.16
    • Taxable Disbursements: $23,832.64
    • Non-taxable Disbursements: $102,034.19
    • GST: $36,938.19
    • Total: $877,736.18

The court emphasized that costs should reflect the complexity of the case and the conduct of the parties, resulting in a significant award to Foremost Group.

 

Court of King's Bench of Alberta
1501 03872
Employment law
$ 877,736
Defendant