Background:
- Mr. Stanchfield requested deregistration from the Social Insurance Register (SIR) and removal of his Social Insurance Number (SIN) by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission.
- The Commission refused, citing lack of legal authority, and the Federal Court upheld this decision.
Federal Court of Appeal Judgment:
- Standard of Review: The Court affirmed that the standard of review was reasonableness, not correctness.
- Key Findings:
- The Federal Court’s decision was deemed reasonable and without error.
- The DESDA (Department of Employment and Social Development Act) requires registration but does not provide a mechanism for deregistration.
- The purpose of the SIR is to maintain a consistent and single identifier (SIN) for individuals for administrative efficiency.
- There is no legal provision, explicit or implicit, that allows for the rescission or deregistration of a SIN.
- Arguments about fundamental rights and the comparison to voluntary contract entry were dismissed as irrelevant since registration is mandatory and not voluntary.
Conclusion:
- The appeal was dismissed.
- Costs of $1500 were awarded against Mr. Stanchfield.
This summary captures the key points and decisions in the case of Stanchfield v. Canada (Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion), reflecting the Federal Court of Appeal's reasoning and judgment on the matter.
