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6 U. Ottawa L. & Tech. J. 1 (2009)

handle is hein.journals/uoltj6 and id is 1 raw text is: A Cause of Action for Regulatory Negligence? The Regulatory Framework for Genetically Modified Crops in Canada and the Potential for Regulator Liability Thomas Moran, Nola M Ries, and David Castle* THIS PAPER CONSIDERS WHETHER, UNDER CANADIAN LAW, a government regulatory agency could be found liable for negligent regulation' of genetically modified (GM) crops. The paper begins with an overview of the Canadian framework for GM crop regulation and notes criticisms about the adequacy of this framework. The state of Canadian law regarding regulatory liability is then analysed. The authors conclude that litigants who wish to assert a claim of regulatory negligence face significant legal barriers, particularly since review of GM crop applications involves weighing complex scientific data and determining tolerable levels of risk, matters that would likely be non-justiciable in a negligence claim. Current jurisprudence, however, leaves open some unresolved bases of liability. The paper closes with a brief overview of recommendations to improve the Canadian regulatory framework for GM crops, focusing particularly on enhancing transparency in the decision-making process. DANS CE TEXTE, ON EXAMINE DANS QUELLE MESURE un organisme de reglementation gouvernemental pourrait, en vertu du droit canadien, etre tenu responsable d'une reglementation negligente >> des cultures transg6niques. Cet article debute par une vue d'ensemble du cadre canadien pour la reglementation des cultures d'especes g6netiquement modifiees et note 'existence de critiques a propos de Ia justesse de ce cadre. On analyse ensuite 'etat du droit canadien au chapitre de Ia responsabilite r6glementaire. Les auteurs concluent que les parties desireuses de deposer une plainte pour negligence reglementaire rencontrent des obstacles juridiques importants, en particulier dans la mesure ou I'examen des demandes relativement A des cultures transgeniques comprend I'6valuation de donnees scientifiques complexes et la d6termination des niveaux tol6rables de risque, des questions probablement non justiciables dans le cadre d'une poursuite pour negligence. La jurisprudence actuelle laisse cependant ouverts certains arguments non resolus de la responsabilite. Le texte se termine par un bref apergu des recommandations visant a ameliorer le cadre r~glementaire du Canada pour ce qui est des cultures transg6niques, en rappelant en particulier l'importance d'une transparence accrue dans le processus decisionnel. Copyright 2009 C by Thomas Moran. Nola M Ries and David Castle. The authors acknowledge funding support from AFMNet. the Network of Centres of Excellence for Advanced Foods & Materials. Thornas Moran, BA, JD, is with Bull Housser & Tupper in Vancouver Nola M. Ries, MPA, LLM, is Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law. University of Victoria and Research Associate. Health Law Institute. University of Alberta. David Castle, PhD, is Canada Research Chair in Science and Society and Associate Professor, University of Ottawa. The authors thank Stuart Smyth, PhD, College of Biotechnology University of Saskatchewan. for helpful comments on a draft of this paper This paper reflects the state of law as of Spring 2008. 1

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