The Regional Municipality of Durham Corporate Services Department - Legislative Services 605 ROSSLAND RD. E. PO BOX 623 WHITBY ON L1N 6A3 CANADA 905-668-7711 1·-800- 372- 11 02 Fax:905-668-9963 www.durham.ca Matthew L. Gaskell Commissioner of Corporate Services for 6Ur- on)mriflities" '""" c.. . I L/l oW April 25, 2014 Honourable M. Meilleur Attb ey General Minist of the Attorney General McMurtry- cott Building 720 Bay Stre 11th Floor Toronto, ON 2S9 RE: Joint and Several Liability Reform (2014-F-31) (OUR FILE: L00-1682) Honourable Minister, please be advised the Finance & Administration Committee of Regional Council cons idered the above matter and at a meeting held on April 23, 2014, Co un cil adopted the following recommendations of the Committee: "a) That the Ministry of the Attorney General be advised that the Reg io n of Durham supports AMO's Combined Model for joint and several liability reform in the Province of Ontario; and b) That a copy of Report #2014-F-31 of the Commissioner of Finance, be forwarded to AMO, all local Durham MPP's and all local municipalities." · Attached is a copy of Report #2014-F-31 of the Commissioner of Finance. Deb Bowen, AMCT Regional Clerk/ Director of Legislative Services DB/If Attach . c. P. Vanini, Executive Director, AMO T. MacCharles, MPP (P ickering/Sca rb orough East) · C. Elliott, MPP (Whitby/Oshawa) J. O'Toole, MPP (Durham) J. Ouellette, MPP (Oshawa) L. Scott, MPP (Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes/Brock) J. Dickson, MPP (Ajax/Picke rin g) M. de Rond, Clerk, Town of Ajax T. Gettinby, GAO/Clerk, Township of Brock If this information is required in an accessible fo rmat, please contact the Accessibility Co-ordinator at 1-800-372-11 02 ext. 2009.
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The Regional Municipality
of Durham
Corporate Services Department shyLegislative Services
605 ROSSLAND RD E PO BOX 623 WHITBY ON L 1 N 6A3 CANADA
Matthew L Gaskell Commissioner of Corporate Services
e~ce for 6Ur- on)mriflities
K-c~-~oa-hLR_ c ~-P~
I Ll oW April 25 2014
~e Honourable M Meilleur Attb ey General Minist of the Attorney General McMurtry- cott Building 720 Bay Stre 11th Floor Toronto ON 2S9
RE Joint and Several Liability Reform (2014-F-31) (OUR FILE L00-1682)
Honourable Minister please be advised the Finance amp Administration Committee of Regional Council considered the above matter and at a meeting held on April 23 2014 Council adopted the following recommendations of the Committee
a) That the Ministry of the Attorney General be advised that the Region of Durham supports AMOs Combined Model for joint and several liability reform in the Province of Ontario and
b) That a copy of Report 2014-F-31 of the Commissioner of Finance be forwarded to AMO all local Durham MPPs and all local municipalities middot
Attached is a copy of Report 2014-F-31 of the Commissioner of Finance
Deb Bowen AMCT Regional Clerk Director of Legislative Services
DBIf Attach
c P Vanini Executive Director AMO T MacCharles MPP (PickeringScarborough East)
middot C Elliott MPP (WhitbyOshawa) J OToole MPP (Durham) J Ouellette MPP (Oshawa) L Scott MPP (HaliburtonKawartha LakesBrock) J Dickson MPP (AjaxPickering) M de Rond Clerk Town of Ajax T Gettinby GAOClerk Township of Brock
If this information is required in an accessible format please contact the Accessibility Co-ordinator at 1-800-372-11 02 ext 2009
vUIIIl Ot vtVtldl L l dUIIIlY -age pound
c cent A Greentree Clerk Municipality of Clarington S Krane Clerk City of Oshawa D Shields Clerk City of Pickering C Harris Clerk Township of Scugog D Leroux Clerk Township of Uxbridge D Wilcox Clerk Town of Whitby RJ Clapp Commissioner of Finance
The Regional Municipality of Durham Report to The Finance and Administration Committee From RJ Clapp Commissioner of Finance Report 2014-F-31 Date April15 2014
SUBJECT
Joint and Several Liability Reform
RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Administration Committee recommend to Regional Council that
A The Ministry of the Attorney General be advised that the Region of Durham supports AMOs Combined Model for joint and several liability reform in the Province of Ontario
B A copy of this report be forwarded to AMO all local Durham MPPs and all local municipalities
REPORT
10 PURPOSE OF REPORT
bull The purpose of this report is to inform the Finance and Administration Committee and Regional Council regarding the current municipal liability insurance situation in Ontario
20 MUNICIPAL INSURANCE IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
bull Municipal liability insurance premiums deductibles and claim settlements have substantially risen in the past few years in Ontario placing undue strain on already stretched municipal budgets
bull The Frank Cowan Company insurer for the Region of Durham and the Durham Municipal Insurance Pool (DMIP) stresses that
o Currently joint and severall~gislation (also known as the 1 per cent rule) may oblige a defendant who may only be 1 per cent at fault to pay an entire judgement This action results in an unfair burden for payment of claims for the majority of liability losses in Ontario municipalities as this 1 per cent rule is usually applied towards municipalities who are perceived to have deep pockets
69
Report 2014-F-31 Page No2
o The current situation is not sustainable for Ontario municipalities
bull This has placed an unfair burden on municipalities The burden comes in the form of increased insurance premiums and self-insured exposures The result is a diversion of funds from key municipal services to the payment of premiums and losses for which the municipal entity may only be partially at fault
30 PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE
bull On February 27 2014 MPPs from all parties supported a motion calling on the government to reform joint and several liability The Region of Durham supported the Honourable Randy Pettapiece MPPs Resolution that the Province protect taxpaye($ from higher property taxes by implementing a comprehensive long-term solution to reform joint and several liabilitY insurance for municipalities addressing the alarming rise in insurance premiums due to increasing litigation and claim costs middot
bull Nearly 200 municipalities in total supported the- motion which called on the Provincial government to implement a comprehensive long-term solution to the inequities of joint and several liability no later than June 2014
bull Currently there are three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General
(i) the Saskatchewan Model
(ii) the Multiplier M9del and
(iii) the Combined Model
bull To understand the impacts of these different models the following example is used to illustrate both the current situation and a situation where joint and several liability is hypothetically abolished in Ontario
Example
bull A motor vehicle accident occurs on a Region road during a winter storm event where one driver crosses the centre line striking another vehicle The other driver is seriously injured and starts a civil proceeding The co-defendants in this case are the Municipality and the at fault driver
bull There is a Superior Court decision that provides to the plaintiff a judgement of $10 million The judge determines that the at fault driver is 65 per cent responsible for the accident This driver carries an automobile liability limit of $1 million
10
Report 2014-F-31 Page No3
bull The Region is found 25 per cent responsible for the accident for failure to keep the roads safe for the reasonable driver
bull The plaintiffs contributory negligence is 1 0 per cent Contributory negligence applies to cases where plaintiffsclaimants have through their own negligence contributed to the harm they suffered
bull As a result the judgement should be shared as follows
middot N9 Joint
Defendant Municipality
~~sevenLlabiii(Y Liability
$2500000 25
Co-Defendant $6500000 65
Plaintiff $1000000 10
$10000000 100
bull However under the existing joint amp several liability in the Province of Ontario since the co-defendant only has a $1million automobile liability limit and no further financial assets the Region is required to absorb the coshydefendants $55 million shortfall This changes the Regions share of the judgement payment to 80 per cent even if the initial liability is only 25 per cent as shown below in the table
bull The proposed Saskatchewan model or a modified version of proportionate liability is one that applies in cases where a plaintiff is contributory negligent
bull Proportional liability permits a defendant to be held liable for damages only in proportion to their fault in causing the accident
71
Report 2014-F-31 Page No4
bull In the Saskatchewan model where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or has insufficient resources and where the plaintiffs own negligence contributed to the harm the shortfall is to be divided among the remaining defendants and the plaintiff in proportion to their fault This model would apply to all types of defendants in all types of negligence claims
bull This model involves the Saskatchewan Contributory Negligence Act 2000 which states
S 31 (2) - If the court is satisfied that the contribution of a person found at fault cannot be collected the court shall after determining the degree in which each person is at fault make an order apportioning the contribution that cannot be collected among the other persons found at fault proportionate to the degrees in which they have been respectively found to have been at fault
bull This is a classic situation faced by municipalities Municipalities have insurance policies with substantial limits and resources while -other at fault individuals and corporations generally have IowEn insurance limits
bull By using the same example as noted on page 2 the following demonstrates how the Saskatchewan model-would work after the allocation of the judgement
Note The Co-defenclent has insufficient insurance to cover their proportionate share The $55 million shortfall is clividecl between the Region and the injured partybasedon theirproportion of liability
50 THE MULTIPLIER MODEL
bull Also under consideration is the Multiplier model which provides for a limit on awards where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or not having sufficient insurance limits In this model the premise is that a municipality would never be liable for more than double its proportion of the judgement
72
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
vUIIIl Ot vtVtldl L l dUIIIlY -age pound
c cent A Greentree Clerk Municipality of Clarington S Krane Clerk City of Oshawa D Shields Clerk City of Pickering C Harris Clerk Township of Scugog D Leroux Clerk Township of Uxbridge D Wilcox Clerk Town of Whitby RJ Clapp Commissioner of Finance
The Regional Municipality of Durham Report to The Finance and Administration Committee From RJ Clapp Commissioner of Finance Report 2014-F-31 Date April15 2014
SUBJECT
Joint and Several Liability Reform
RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Administration Committee recommend to Regional Council that
A The Ministry of the Attorney General be advised that the Region of Durham supports AMOs Combined Model for joint and several liability reform in the Province of Ontario
B A copy of this report be forwarded to AMO all local Durham MPPs and all local municipalities
REPORT
10 PURPOSE OF REPORT
bull The purpose of this report is to inform the Finance and Administration Committee and Regional Council regarding the current municipal liability insurance situation in Ontario
20 MUNICIPAL INSURANCE IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
bull Municipal liability insurance premiums deductibles and claim settlements have substantially risen in the past few years in Ontario placing undue strain on already stretched municipal budgets
bull The Frank Cowan Company insurer for the Region of Durham and the Durham Municipal Insurance Pool (DMIP) stresses that
o Currently joint and severall~gislation (also known as the 1 per cent rule) may oblige a defendant who may only be 1 per cent at fault to pay an entire judgement This action results in an unfair burden for payment of claims for the majority of liability losses in Ontario municipalities as this 1 per cent rule is usually applied towards municipalities who are perceived to have deep pockets
69
Report 2014-F-31 Page No2
o The current situation is not sustainable for Ontario municipalities
bull This has placed an unfair burden on municipalities The burden comes in the form of increased insurance premiums and self-insured exposures The result is a diversion of funds from key municipal services to the payment of premiums and losses for which the municipal entity may only be partially at fault
30 PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE
bull On February 27 2014 MPPs from all parties supported a motion calling on the government to reform joint and several liability The Region of Durham supported the Honourable Randy Pettapiece MPPs Resolution that the Province protect taxpaye($ from higher property taxes by implementing a comprehensive long-term solution to reform joint and several liabilitY insurance for municipalities addressing the alarming rise in insurance premiums due to increasing litigation and claim costs middot
bull Nearly 200 municipalities in total supported the- motion which called on the Provincial government to implement a comprehensive long-term solution to the inequities of joint and several liability no later than June 2014
bull Currently there are three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General
(i) the Saskatchewan Model
(ii) the Multiplier M9del and
(iii) the Combined Model
bull To understand the impacts of these different models the following example is used to illustrate both the current situation and a situation where joint and several liability is hypothetically abolished in Ontario
Example
bull A motor vehicle accident occurs on a Region road during a winter storm event where one driver crosses the centre line striking another vehicle The other driver is seriously injured and starts a civil proceeding The co-defendants in this case are the Municipality and the at fault driver
bull There is a Superior Court decision that provides to the plaintiff a judgement of $10 million The judge determines that the at fault driver is 65 per cent responsible for the accident This driver carries an automobile liability limit of $1 million
10
Report 2014-F-31 Page No3
bull The Region is found 25 per cent responsible for the accident for failure to keep the roads safe for the reasonable driver
bull The plaintiffs contributory negligence is 1 0 per cent Contributory negligence applies to cases where plaintiffsclaimants have through their own negligence contributed to the harm they suffered
bull As a result the judgement should be shared as follows
middot N9 Joint
Defendant Municipality
~~sevenLlabiii(Y Liability
$2500000 25
Co-Defendant $6500000 65
Plaintiff $1000000 10
$10000000 100
bull However under the existing joint amp several liability in the Province of Ontario since the co-defendant only has a $1million automobile liability limit and no further financial assets the Region is required to absorb the coshydefendants $55 million shortfall This changes the Regions share of the judgement payment to 80 per cent even if the initial liability is only 25 per cent as shown below in the table
bull The proposed Saskatchewan model or a modified version of proportionate liability is one that applies in cases where a plaintiff is contributory negligent
bull Proportional liability permits a defendant to be held liable for damages only in proportion to their fault in causing the accident
71
Report 2014-F-31 Page No4
bull In the Saskatchewan model where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or has insufficient resources and where the plaintiffs own negligence contributed to the harm the shortfall is to be divided among the remaining defendants and the plaintiff in proportion to their fault This model would apply to all types of defendants in all types of negligence claims
bull This model involves the Saskatchewan Contributory Negligence Act 2000 which states
S 31 (2) - If the court is satisfied that the contribution of a person found at fault cannot be collected the court shall after determining the degree in which each person is at fault make an order apportioning the contribution that cannot be collected among the other persons found at fault proportionate to the degrees in which they have been respectively found to have been at fault
bull This is a classic situation faced by municipalities Municipalities have insurance policies with substantial limits and resources while -other at fault individuals and corporations generally have IowEn insurance limits
bull By using the same example as noted on page 2 the following demonstrates how the Saskatchewan model-would work after the allocation of the judgement
Note The Co-defenclent has insufficient insurance to cover their proportionate share The $55 million shortfall is clividecl between the Region and the injured partybasedon theirproportion of liability
50 THE MULTIPLIER MODEL
bull Also under consideration is the Multiplier model which provides for a limit on awards where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or not having sufficient insurance limits In this model the premise is that a municipality would never be liable for more than double its proportion of the judgement
72
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
The Regional Municipality of Durham Report to The Finance and Administration Committee From RJ Clapp Commissioner of Finance Report 2014-F-31 Date April15 2014
SUBJECT
Joint and Several Liability Reform
RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance and Administration Committee recommend to Regional Council that
A The Ministry of the Attorney General be advised that the Region of Durham supports AMOs Combined Model for joint and several liability reform in the Province of Ontario
B A copy of this report be forwarded to AMO all local Durham MPPs and all local municipalities
REPORT
10 PURPOSE OF REPORT
bull The purpose of this report is to inform the Finance and Administration Committee and Regional Council regarding the current municipal liability insurance situation in Ontario
20 MUNICIPAL INSURANCE IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
bull Municipal liability insurance premiums deductibles and claim settlements have substantially risen in the past few years in Ontario placing undue strain on already stretched municipal budgets
bull The Frank Cowan Company insurer for the Region of Durham and the Durham Municipal Insurance Pool (DMIP) stresses that
o Currently joint and severall~gislation (also known as the 1 per cent rule) may oblige a defendant who may only be 1 per cent at fault to pay an entire judgement This action results in an unfair burden for payment of claims for the majority of liability losses in Ontario municipalities as this 1 per cent rule is usually applied towards municipalities who are perceived to have deep pockets
69
Report 2014-F-31 Page No2
o The current situation is not sustainable for Ontario municipalities
bull This has placed an unfair burden on municipalities The burden comes in the form of increased insurance premiums and self-insured exposures The result is a diversion of funds from key municipal services to the payment of premiums and losses for which the municipal entity may only be partially at fault
30 PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE
bull On February 27 2014 MPPs from all parties supported a motion calling on the government to reform joint and several liability The Region of Durham supported the Honourable Randy Pettapiece MPPs Resolution that the Province protect taxpaye($ from higher property taxes by implementing a comprehensive long-term solution to reform joint and several liabilitY insurance for municipalities addressing the alarming rise in insurance premiums due to increasing litigation and claim costs middot
bull Nearly 200 municipalities in total supported the- motion which called on the Provincial government to implement a comprehensive long-term solution to the inequities of joint and several liability no later than June 2014
bull Currently there are three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General
(i) the Saskatchewan Model
(ii) the Multiplier M9del and
(iii) the Combined Model
bull To understand the impacts of these different models the following example is used to illustrate both the current situation and a situation where joint and several liability is hypothetically abolished in Ontario
Example
bull A motor vehicle accident occurs on a Region road during a winter storm event where one driver crosses the centre line striking another vehicle The other driver is seriously injured and starts a civil proceeding The co-defendants in this case are the Municipality and the at fault driver
bull There is a Superior Court decision that provides to the plaintiff a judgement of $10 million The judge determines that the at fault driver is 65 per cent responsible for the accident This driver carries an automobile liability limit of $1 million
10
Report 2014-F-31 Page No3
bull The Region is found 25 per cent responsible for the accident for failure to keep the roads safe for the reasonable driver
bull The plaintiffs contributory negligence is 1 0 per cent Contributory negligence applies to cases where plaintiffsclaimants have through their own negligence contributed to the harm they suffered
bull As a result the judgement should be shared as follows
middot N9 Joint
Defendant Municipality
~~sevenLlabiii(Y Liability
$2500000 25
Co-Defendant $6500000 65
Plaintiff $1000000 10
$10000000 100
bull However under the existing joint amp several liability in the Province of Ontario since the co-defendant only has a $1million automobile liability limit and no further financial assets the Region is required to absorb the coshydefendants $55 million shortfall This changes the Regions share of the judgement payment to 80 per cent even if the initial liability is only 25 per cent as shown below in the table
bull The proposed Saskatchewan model or a modified version of proportionate liability is one that applies in cases where a plaintiff is contributory negligent
bull Proportional liability permits a defendant to be held liable for damages only in proportion to their fault in causing the accident
71
Report 2014-F-31 Page No4
bull In the Saskatchewan model where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or has insufficient resources and where the plaintiffs own negligence contributed to the harm the shortfall is to be divided among the remaining defendants and the plaintiff in proportion to their fault This model would apply to all types of defendants in all types of negligence claims
bull This model involves the Saskatchewan Contributory Negligence Act 2000 which states
S 31 (2) - If the court is satisfied that the contribution of a person found at fault cannot be collected the court shall after determining the degree in which each person is at fault make an order apportioning the contribution that cannot be collected among the other persons found at fault proportionate to the degrees in which they have been respectively found to have been at fault
bull This is a classic situation faced by municipalities Municipalities have insurance policies with substantial limits and resources while -other at fault individuals and corporations generally have IowEn insurance limits
bull By using the same example as noted on page 2 the following demonstrates how the Saskatchewan model-would work after the allocation of the judgement
Note The Co-defenclent has insufficient insurance to cover their proportionate share The $55 million shortfall is clividecl between the Region and the injured partybasedon theirproportion of liability
50 THE MULTIPLIER MODEL
bull Also under consideration is the Multiplier model which provides for a limit on awards where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or not having sufficient insurance limits In this model the premise is that a municipality would never be liable for more than double its proportion of the judgement
72
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
Report 2014-F-31 Page No2
o The current situation is not sustainable for Ontario municipalities
bull This has placed an unfair burden on municipalities The burden comes in the form of increased insurance premiums and self-insured exposures The result is a diversion of funds from key municipal services to the payment of premiums and losses for which the municipal entity may only be partially at fault
30 PROPOSALS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGE
bull On February 27 2014 MPPs from all parties supported a motion calling on the government to reform joint and several liability The Region of Durham supported the Honourable Randy Pettapiece MPPs Resolution that the Province protect taxpaye($ from higher property taxes by implementing a comprehensive long-term solution to reform joint and several liabilitY insurance for municipalities addressing the alarming rise in insurance premiums due to increasing litigation and claim costs middot
bull Nearly 200 municipalities in total supported the- motion which called on the Provincial government to implement a comprehensive long-term solution to the inequities of joint and several liability no later than June 2014
bull Currently there are three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General
(i) the Saskatchewan Model
(ii) the Multiplier M9del and
(iii) the Combined Model
bull To understand the impacts of these different models the following example is used to illustrate both the current situation and a situation where joint and several liability is hypothetically abolished in Ontario
Example
bull A motor vehicle accident occurs on a Region road during a winter storm event where one driver crosses the centre line striking another vehicle The other driver is seriously injured and starts a civil proceeding The co-defendants in this case are the Municipality and the at fault driver
bull There is a Superior Court decision that provides to the plaintiff a judgement of $10 million The judge determines that the at fault driver is 65 per cent responsible for the accident This driver carries an automobile liability limit of $1 million
10
Report 2014-F-31 Page No3
bull The Region is found 25 per cent responsible for the accident for failure to keep the roads safe for the reasonable driver
bull The plaintiffs contributory negligence is 1 0 per cent Contributory negligence applies to cases where plaintiffsclaimants have through their own negligence contributed to the harm they suffered
bull As a result the judgement should be shared as follows
middot N9 Joint
Defendant Municipality
~~sevenLlabiii(Y Liability
$2500000 25
Co-Defendant $6500000 65
Plaintiff $1000000 10
$10000000 100
bull However under the existing joint amp several liability in the Province of Ontario since the co-defendant only has a $1million automobile liability limit and no further financial assets the Region is required to absorb the coshydefendants $55 million shortfall This changes the Regions share of the judgement payment to 80 per cent even if the initial liability is only 25 per cent as shown below in the table
bull The proposed Saskatchewan model or a modified version of proportionate liability is one that applies in cases where a plaintiff is contributory negligent
bull Proportional liability permits a defendant to be held liable for damages only in proportion to their fault in causing the accident
71
Report 2014-F-31 Page No4
bull In the Saskatchewan model where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or has insufficient resources and where the plaintiffs own negligence contributed to the harm the shortfall is to be divided among the remaining defendants and the plaintiff in proportion to their fault This model would apply to all types of defendants in all types of negligence claims
bull This model involves the Saskatchewan Contributory Negligence Act 2000 which states
S 31 (2) - If the court is satisfied that the contribution of a person found at fault cannot be collected the court shall after determining the degree in which each person is at fault make an order apportioning the contribution that cannot be collected among the other persons found at fault proportionate to the degrees in which they have been respectively found to have been at fault
bull This is a classic situation faced by municipalities Municipalities have insurance policies with substantial limits and resources while -other at fault individuals and corporations generally have IowEn insurance limits
bull By using the same example as noted on page 2 the following demonstrates how the Saskatchewan model-would work after the allocation of the judgement
Note The Co-defenclent has insufficient insurance to cover their proportionate share The $55 million shortfall is clividecl between the Region and the injured partybasedon theirproportion of liability
50 THE MULTIPLIER MODEL
bull Also under consideration is the Multiplier model which provides for a limit on awards where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or not having sufficient insurance limits In this model the premise is that a municipality would never be liable for more than double its proportion of the judgement
72
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
Report 2014-F-31 Page No3
bull The Region is found 25 per cent responsible for the accident for failure to keep the roads safe for the reasonable driver
bull The plaintiffs contributory negligence is 1 0 per cent Contributory negligence applies to cases where plaintiffsclaimants have through their own negligence contributed to the harm they suffered
bull As a result the judgement should be shared as follows
middot N9 Joint
Defendant Municipality
~~sevenLlabiii(Y Liability
$2500000 25
Co-Defendant $6500000 65
Plaintiff $1000000 10
$10000000 100
bull However under the existing joint amp several liability in the Province of Ontario since the co-defendant only has a $1million automobile liability limit and no further financial assets the Region is required to absorb the coshydefendants $55 million shortfall This changes the Regions share of the judgement payment to 80 per cent even if the initial liability is only 25 per cent as shown below in the table
bull The proposed Saskatchewan model or a modified version of proportionate liability is one that applies in cases where a plaintiff is contributory negligent
bull Proportional liability permits a defendant to be held liable for damages only in proportion to their fault in causing the accident
71
Report 2014-F-31 Page No4
bull In the Saskatchewan model where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or has insufficient resources and where the plaintiffs own negligence contributed to the harm the shortfall is to be divided among the remaining defendants and the plaintiff in proportion to their fault This model would apply to all types of defendants in all types of negligence claims
bull This model involves the Saskatchewan Contributory Negligence Act 2000 which states
S 31 (2) - If the court is satisfied that the contribution of a person found at fault cannot be collected the court shall after determining the degree in which each person is at fault make an order apportioning the contribution that cannot be collected among the other persons found at fault proportionate to the degrees in which they have been respectively found to have been at fault
bull This is a classic situation faced by municipalities Municipalities have insurance policies with substantial limits and resources while -other at fault individuals and corporations generally have IowEn insurance limits
bull By using the same example as noted on page 2 the following demonstrates how the Saskatchewan model-would work after the allocation of the judgement
Note The Co-defenclent has insufficient insurance to cover their proportionate share The $55 million shortfall is clividecl between the Region and the injured partybasedon theirproportion of liability
50 THE MULTIPLIER MODEL
bull Also under consideration is the Multiplier model which provides for a limit on awards where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or not having sufficient insurance limits In this model the premise is that a municipality would never be liable for more than double its proportion of the judgement
72
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
Report 2014-F-31 Page No4
bull In the Saskatchewan model where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or has insufficient resources and where the plaintiffs own negligence contributed to the harm the shortfall is to be divided among the remaining defendants and the plaintiff in proportion to their fault This model would apply to all types of defendants in all types of negligence claims
bull This model involves the Saskatchewan Contributory Negligence Act 2000 which states
S 31 (2) - If the court is satisfied that the contribution of a person found at fault cannot be collected the court shall after determining the degree in which each person is at fault make an order apportioning the contribution that cannot be collected among the other persons found at fault proportionate to the degrees in which they have been respectively found to have been at fault
bull This is a classic situation faced by municipalities Municipalities have insurance policies with substantial limits and resources while -other at fault individuals and corporations generally have IowEn insurance limits
bull By using the same example as noted on page 2 the following demonstrates how the Saskatchewan model-would work after the allocation of the judgement
Note The Co-defenclent has insufficient insurance to cover their proportionate share The $55 million shortfall is clividecl between the Region and the injured partybasedon theirproportion of liability
50 THE MULTIPLIER MODEL
bull Also under consideration is the Multiplier model which provides for a limit on awards where there is a shortfall due to one defendant being insolvent or not having sufficient insurance limits In this model the premise is that a municipality would never be liable for more than double its proportion of the judgement
72
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
Report 2014-F-31 Page No5
bull The proposal would be limited to municipalities in road authority cases where a municipality is sued for breach of duty to maintain a public road
bull Using the same example the damages would be assessed as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover
$1000000 10
$7000000 70
$3000000 30
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note The Ccrdsfendant has insufficient insurance to cover theirshare The Co-defendant $55 million shortfall now requires the Region to pay two times its proportion ofthe originaljudgement
60 THE COMBINED MODEL
bull The Combined model is a hybrid of the Saskatchewan model and the Multiplier model For example in the case of a road authority involving contributorymiddotnegligence on the part of the plaintiff the Saskatchewan model would be applied first and the Multiplier model would then be applied if needed to ensure that the municipality would not be liable for more than two times its proportion of damages
bull It is our understanding that the models are not mutually exclusive The Saskatchewan model is used first and then if the Courts determine that the municipality would have to pay more than two times their proportionate share the Multiplier model is then applied
bull Use of the Combined model again using the same example would be as follows
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
Shortfall from Initial Judgement- Plaintiffdoes not recover $1428571 14
Initial Judgement $10000000 100
Note Under the Saskatchewan model the Region 8lld the plaintiffdivide the co-defendants shortfall However the Region would never be liable formore than two times its proportion ofdamages
bull The Combined model could assist Municipalities when the apportionment of liability against the municipality is a relatively low percentage If a road authority is found to be 1 0-25 per cent liable for the plaintiffs injury then the Combined model could limit the Municipalities exposure This change would benefit the Municipality in certain situations
70 MUNICIPAL IMPACT
bull The example illustrates that the best solution for Municipalities is to adopt a system with no joint and several liability where each defendant is responsible for their own negligence
bull However realizing the proposals under consideration by the Ministry of the Attorney General are the Saskatchewan Multiplier and Combined Models all of which disadvantage municipalities to some degree Of the three proposals that are being considered by the Ministry of the Attorney General the Combined model will at least limit Municipalities exposure to picking up disproportionate litigation awards
80 CONCLUSION
bull Ontarios joint and several liability regime remains based on outdated underlying assumptions and joint and several liability injects an added measure of uncertainty into municipal risk management Often insurers settle claims out of court to avoid the risk that a judge may find the Municipality 1 per cent liable and this may result in the Municipality having to pay the majority of the judgement
74
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants
RJ Clapp CPA CA Commissioner of Finance
Recommended for Presentation to Committee
middot ~
GH Cubitt MSW Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment
bull
75
Report 2014-F-31 Page No7
bull After many years of effort the Ministry of the Attorney General appears to be willing to act and is looking for input on the proposed changes
bull AMO supports the adoption of the Combined Model and AMO believes middotthat
This places some reasonable limits on the damages that may be recovered from a municipality under limited circumstances It is a significant incremental step to address a pressing municipal issue
bull AMO is urging all municipalities to express their support for this combined model MunicipalitieSmust recognize that thismiddotis the first step in the continuing process to protect Municipalities from unjust litigation Subsequent steps could include either full or partial immunities liability caps or renewed efforts in road authority cases to allow jury trials for municipalities
bull Passage of this resolution does mark a milestone in the municipal campaign for reform Municipalities need to continue pursuing legislative and judicial reforms in an effort to compMtely eliminate or minimize the harshness of joint and several liability for Municipal defendants