Other Late Claims

II. Principles of Law

(c) Ignorance of the Law

Filing a late application for benefits because of ignorance of the law or not understanding one's legal rights and obligations under the legislation does not, in and of itself, constitute "good cause".

Pirotte v. U.I.C., [1977] 1 F.C. 314 (F.C.A.) A-108-76 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Dunnington, [1984] 2 F.C. 978 (F.C.A.) A-1865-83 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Albrecht, [1985] 1 F.C. 710 (F.C.A.) A-172-85 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Caron, [1986] F.C.J. No. 85 (F.C.A.) A-395-85 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Smith, [1993] F.C.J. No. 368 (F.C.A.) A-549-92 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Larouche, [1994] F.C.J. No. 1720 (F.C.A.) A-644-93 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Rouleau, [1995] F.C.J. No. 1203 (F.C.A.) A-4-95 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Shebib v. Canada (A.G.) , [2003] F.C.J. 88 (F.C.A.) A-24-01 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Beaudin, [2005] F.C.J. No. 588 (F.C.A.) A-341-04 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal

On the other hand, ignorance of the law does not necessarily preclude a finding of good cause. Many reasons, including ignorance of the law, may still constitute good cause, provided the claimant is able to establish that he or she acted as a reasonable and prudent person.

Canada (A.G.) v. Albrecht, [1985] 1 F.C. 710 (F.C.A.) A-172-85 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Sharma v. Canada (A.G.) , [1985] F.C.J. No. 920 (F.C.A) A-1466-84 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal
Canada (A.G.) v. Caron, [1986] F.C.J. No. 85 (F.C.A.) A-395-85 Judgment Of The Federal Court Of Appeal

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