View source for Case-by-Case Privilege

[[fr:Privilège_au_cas_par_cas]]
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==General Principles==

A communication that does not fit into one of the class privileges may nonetheless be protected under the "case-by-case privilege" on an ad-hoc basis where the requisite criteria are met.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Gruenke|1fsjh|1991 CanLII 40 (SCC)|[1991] 3 SCR 263}}{{perSCC|Lamer CJ}}
</ref>

Case-by-case privilege can be invoked where:<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|National Post|29l77|2010 SCC 16 (CanLII)|[2010] 1 SCR 477}}{{perSCC-H|Binnie J}}<br>
{{ibid1|Gruenke}}<br>
</ref>
# the communication originates in a confidence that the identity of the informant will not be disclosed;
# the confidence is essential to the relationship in which the communication arises; 
# the relationship is one which should be sedulously fostered in the public good; and 
# the public interest in protecting the identity of the informant from disclosure outweighs the public interest in getting at the truth. 

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==Religious Communications==
Religious communications can be protected by privilege, but it will depend on the circumstances of the communication and the balance against the public interest.<ref>
R. v A.P.J, 2023 BCSC 2561 (CanLII), <https://canlii.ca/t/k87dk>{{perBCSC|Blok J}}<br>
Beam v. Attorney General of Canada, 2021 MBQB 7 (CanLII), <https://canlii.ca/t/jcwbx>{{perMBQB|Menzies J}}<br>
R. v. J.J.P., 2000 CanLII 28322 (NL SC), <https://canlii.ca/t/2dx4z>{{perNLSC-H|Easton J}}<br>
</ref>

Considerations can include the function of the communication. That includes purposes such as:
* facilitating an exchange of information for absolution<Ref>
Beam v. Attorney General of Canada, 2021 MBQB 7 (CanLII), at para 49, <https://canlii.ca/t/jcwbx#par49>, retrieved on 2025-02-05
</ref>
* purposes of treatment or counselling<Ref>
APJ at para 125
</ref>

If the communication is not made for a "spiritual or religious purpose" it cannot be protected.<ref>
APJ at para 121
</ref> 

The court should also consider the seriousness of the crime.<Ref>
Beam at para 44
</ref>
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==Journalist Sources==
{{seealso|Protection of Journalist Records and Sources}}
Confidentiality of journalistic sources can be measured on a case-by-case basis based on the "Wigmore criteria."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|National Post|29l77|2010 SCC 16 (CanLII)|[2010] 1 SCR 477}}{{perSCC-H|Binnie J}}<br>
see "case-by-case privilege" above</ref>
Where appropriate, "the courts will respect a promise of confidentiality given to a secret source by a journalist or an editor. However, where the public's interest in protecting sources is outweighed by other interests promises of secrecy cannot be maintained."<ref>
{{ibid1|National Post}}<br></ref>
 
The fourth criterion of the test has not been made out where a journalist would not reveal a source who had potentially forged documents implicating a former prime minister in an illegal transaction.<ref>
{{ibid1|National Post}}<br>
</ref>
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