Table of contents

1. Understanding the Limitation Period in Ontario
2. Two-year limitation period
3. Ultimate limitation countdown
4. Exceptions to the limitation rule
5. Limitation for family members and litigation guardians
6. Notice of claim
7. Limitation for claims against the city
8. New 10-day limitation for slip and fall
9. Exceptions to the 2-year limitation rule

In light of the Covid-19 lockdown, limitation periods in Ontario and litigation deadlines have been suspended (effective 16 March 2020).

The limitation period in Canada

We have all heard of victims coming forward years after being abused, and disclosing what happened to them. Sometimes criminal charges are laid against the perpetrators; sometimes civil claims are filed, and sometimes both actions occur.

Lawyers are often asked: Aren’t there limitation periods that apply in these types of cases? Why are such victims entitled to proceed so long after the alleged abuse took place?

In Canada, unlike the United States, there is no statute of limitations that prevents the prosecution of serious criminal charges at any time after the crime occurs. Anyone can contact the police in Canada to report a crime that took place years ago. The police can and do investigate such crimes and they will lay charges — as long as the alleged perpetrator is still alive, and they deem that there exists sufficient evidence to pursue and support a conviction.

What is the limitation period?

In the simplest terms, a limitation period sets out a time limit as to when legal proceedings may be commenced by filing a claim. It defines the time in which an aggrieved person can initiate a claim arising from any injury, loss, or damage that occurred as a result of an act or an omission. Limitation periods do apply in Canada to civil suits. Each province has its own rules, but the rules are similar across the country.

Basic Limitation Period in Civil Suits in Ontario

Limitation periods are defined under the Limitations Act, 2002, and by common law. Save for exceptions, the Act provides that claims may not be commenced more than two years after the date of occurrence of the event.

In Ontario, the basic limitation period is two years – a person must commence an action within two years of when he or she first knew that a claim could be made. Normally, this would be two years after the claimant suffered the injury or the damage that was the subject of the claim. (But beware of claims against the province or municipalities – in Ontario – in most cases, a notice of such claims must be given within 10 days of an accident or injury.)

In civil cases, such as personal injury cases, the date when the limitation period starts to run is extremely important. Sometimes it is not the exact date of the occurrence of the accident or injury. For example, the date can be that when the injury or loss is first discovered or, alternatively, it can begin on the date when it first becomes clear that the person injured has recourse against the party that caused or contributed to their injuries.

Did You Know – Exception

The two year limitation period in Ontario does not apply if the person injured is not represented by a litigation guardian and is:

• a minor (under 18 at the time of occurrence of the event); or

• physically, mentally, or psychologically unable to begin proceedings.

The Ultimate Limitation Period

In addition to the two years, the basic limitation period, the Limitation Act prescribes the Ultimate Limitation Period.

Even if the limitation period established by any other section of this Act in respect of a claim has not expired, no proceeding shall be commenced in respect of the claim after the expiry of a limitation period established by this section.

The ultimate limitation period is 15 years after the act or omission on which the claim is based took place. However, similar exceptions under the basic limitation period will apply to the ultimate limitation period.

Limitation period for family members

For family members and litigation guardians who pursue claims on behalf of loved ones, the duration of the limitation period remains the same as that of the victim. However, the issue as to when the limitation begins to run is crucial. The limitation period may be considered to commence from the day when:

• the person, who makes the claim, knew of the claim or would have known of the claim; or
• when loved ones or the litigation guardian came to know of the matters that gave rise to the claim.

When does the family pursue the claim? Family members or other litigation guardians will typically pursue claims:

• in wrongful death cases;
• if a person has suffered a serious injury and is disabled;
• when the victim is a minor; or
• if the victim is physically, mentally or psychologically unable to pursue the claim.

Litigation Guardian

The Litigation Guardian may be a natural guardian of the claimant (parents, spouses, other family members), or anyone else who wants to represent the person. However, the prospective Litigation Guardian must swear an affidavit stating that he or she does not have any interests adverse to those of the person on behalf of whom he or she is contesting the claim.

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Notice of possible claim

Service of the notice of claim may be considered by the court in determining when the limitation period began to run. A notice of possible claim can be beneficial in situations if you or your lawyers are still gathering evidence but need to protect the right to sue by not letting the limitation period to expire.

A notice of possible claim will have to be in writing and:

(a) describe the injury, loss or damage that the issuing person suspects may have occurred;

(b) identify the act or omission giving rise to the injury, loss or damage;

(c) indicate the extent to which the issuing person suspects that the injury, loss or damage may have been caused by the issuing person;

(d) state that any claim that the other person has could be extinguished because of the expiry of a limitation period; and

(e) state the issuing person’s name and address for service.

Thereafter, the party receiving the notice of possible claim must respond to it, or risk summary judgment by the court.

Did You Know

The limitation period is paused if the injured party and the party against whom the claim has been filed agree to have an independent third party try to resolve the claim or assist them in resolving it.

10-day notice for claims against the city

The Municipal Act, 2001 and the Stronger City of Toronto for a Stronger Ontario Act, 2006 prescribe extremely short limitation periods for bringing personal injury claims. Specifically, both acts restrict claims for recovery of damages unless a written notice of claim is submitted within 10 days.

Though the provisions do not outline specific exceptions, the Court of Appeal for Ontario in Crinson v. Toronto (City) gave a broad meaning to ‘reasonable excuse.’ Thus, a claim will not be time-barred if the injured person was physically and mentally unable to provide notice.

The new limitation period for slip and fall

Previously, the slip and fall limitation period was the same as any other personal injury claim – two years. However, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is debating a dramatic reduction to that period. Bill 118, Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act, 2019 seeks to change slip and fall limitation to 10 days. If adopted, that change would mean that, in the event that you sustained an injury due to falling on snow and ice, you or your personal injury lawyer would have to provide written notice of the claim within 10 days. The notice would have to include the following particulars of the occurrence:

• Date
• Time
• Location

This is applicable to occupiers, independent contractors employed by the occupier, and, in case of a tenancy, the landlord.

However, there are some safeguards. Failure to give notice within the limited time period due to death or injury will not bar claims. Courts can also allow claims that fall outside limitation or do not provide sufficient details, provided there is a reasonable excuse and the defendant is not prejudiced by doing so.

Exceptions to the 2-Year Limitation Rule

Important exceptions apply to the two year limitation period in Ontario if a claim is based on an assault or sexual assault. In such cases, the limitation period does not run during any period in which the claimant was physically or mentally incapable of commencing an action. In the case of a claim based on assault, the law presumes that the claimant was incapable of commencing an action earlier than they did if the claimant was in an intimate relationship with the alleged assailant, or dependent on the assailant, at the time of the assault. In the case of a claim based on sexual assault, the law assumes in all cases that the claimant was incapable of commencing the action before it was commenced.

A defendant can rebut an assumption made under the limitation action with respect to an assault or sexual assault. For example, if a claimant sought legal advice and then waited over two years before acting on the advice, then there might be evidence to rebut the assumption that the claimant was not capable of commencing an action before it was commenced.

The bottom line is this: if someone you know discloses that they were abused, it is never too late to speak to a lawyer or report a crime to the police.