United States: Limitation Periods For Property Damage Losses In Canada

What is a Limitation Period?

All legal proceedings, including subrogated recovery actions, must be commenced within a certain period of time set out by legislation. The time period in which an action can be brought is called a limitation period. It is also sometimes called a prescription period. If an action is not brought within the applicable limitation period, the claim will be forever lost. Even the most meritorious subrogated claim will disappear because of the expiry of a limitation period.

What is the Purpose of a Limitation Period?

The essential purpose of a limitation period is to place a reasonable limit on the amount of time which a party may take to commence an action. This serves a number of important purposes:

• It creates an incentive for plaintiffs to bring their lawsuits in a timely fashion.
• It defines a period of time in which a defendant can know with certainty that it will be free of ancient obligations.
• It prevents plaintiffs from bringing old claims in which evidence has been lost by the passage of time

When Does a Limitation Period Start to Run?

Each province has different rules about when a limitation period begins to run. For example, in some provinces, time will start to run as soon as the facts which give rise to the claim take place. In other cases, the limitation period may not begin to run until the plaintiff discovers that he or she has been wronged. In some cases, a limitation period may temporarily stop running while parties are attempting to reach a settlement agreement. A party's conduct may also affect the running of a limitation period. Additionally, where a plaintiff is a minor or under a disability, the limitation period may not start to run until after that person reaches the age of majority or is represented by a litigation guardian.

Which Limitation Period Applies?

The limitation period that applies in a particular case is determined by a number of factors. Just as limitation periods vary from province to province, they may also vary depending on the nature of the subrogated claim or cause of action, or the subject matter of the claim. Furthermore, some actions are dealt with by federal law in which case there may be one single limitation period that applies across Canada. Limitation periods may also vary depending upon the identity of the party being sued. For example, different limitation periods may apply if an action is brought against a municipality or other government body. The applicable limitation period may also be affected by the identity of the plaintiff, for example, where the plaintiff is a minor or under a disability. Finally, in some provinces, but not all of them, parties can agree to a different limitation period than is set out in the legislation.

You will also notice that some provinces have a maximum time period, called an "ultimate limitation period", after which time the claim will be barred, even if the person did not ever become aware of the circumstances giving rise to the claim. The ultimate limitation may be particularly significant in claims arising out of faulty construction or environmental contamination where a defendant's wrongful conduct may often not be discovered for long periods of time The following is intended as an educational overview of some of the general limitation periods that will apply in claims for property losses in Canada:

(NOTE: Depending on the circumstances, different limitation periods may apply, or additional notice requirements may be applicable. For example, claims involving assaults or intentional acts, claims against municipalities, claims against medical professionals may be subject to additional notice requirements AND shorter limitation periods. The type of claim, the type of property at issue, the capacity of the claimant and the type of relief being sought may be all be relevant to determine which limitation period applies. For this reason alone, you should always seek legal advice specific to your circumstances).

ALBERTA

• General Limitation Period - 2 years commencing when the cause of action is discovered. Limitations Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. L-12, s. 3(1)(a).
• Ultimate Limitation Period – 10 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitations Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. L-12, ss. 3(1)(b)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• General Limitation Period – 2 years commencing when the cause of action is discovered. Limitation Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 266, ss. 3(2), 6.
• Ultimate Limitation Period - 30 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitation Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c.266, s. 8(1).

MANITOBA

• General Limitation Period - 2 years for injury to chattels and 6 years for injury to real property commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitation of Actions Act, C.C.S.M. c. L150, s. 2(1)(g).However, a court can grant leave to continue or begin an action if not more than 12 months have elapsed between date the action was "discovered" and date of application for leave, subject to ultimate limitation period. Limitation of Actions Act, C.C.S.M. c. L150, s. 14(1).
• Ultimate Limitation Period - 30 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitation of Actions Act, C.C.S.M. c. L150, s.14(4).

NEW BRUNSWICK

• As of May 1, 2010, there is a general limitation period of 2 years, and an ultimate limitation period of 15 years. Limitation of Actions Act, S.N.B. 2009, c. L-8.5.

NFLD. & LABRADOR

• General Limitation Period – 2 years commencing when the cause of action is discovered. Limitations Act, S.N.L. 1995, c. L-16.1, ss. 5(b); 13; 14.
• Ultimate Limitation Period - 10 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitations Act, S.N.L. 1995, c. L-16.1, s. 14 (3).

N.W.T.

• General Limitation Period – 6 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. L-8, s. 2(e)

NOVA SCOTIA

• General Limitation Period - 6 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.258, s. 2(1)(e). However, within 4 years of expiry of general limitation period, court may disallow the limitation period, having regard to circumstances of the case – Listed are enumerated factors to consider including date of "discovery" of claim, Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.258, s. 3.
• Important Note: A 2009 version of this Act has received royal assent but has not yet been proclaimed in force.

NUNAVUT

• General Limitation Period – 6 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c.L-8, s. 2(e).

ONTARIO

• General Limitation Period – 2 years commencing when the cause of action is discovered. Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2004, c. 31, ss. 4,5.
• Ultimate Limitation Period – 15 years (commencing from 2004 or when the cause of action arises, whichever is later). Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2004, c. 31, s. 15.

P.E.I.

• General Limitation Period – 6 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Statute of Limitations, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. S-7, s. 2(1)(g),

QUEBEC

• General Limitation Period – 3 years from time the right of action arises. Civil Code of Quebec, S.Q. 1991, c. 64, art. 2925.
• Claims against municipalities may be subject to a 15 day notice period and a 6 month limitation period. Municipal Code of Quebec, R.S.Q. c. 27.1, art. 11112.1

SASKATCHEWAN

• General Limitation Period – 2 years commencing when the cause of action arises. Limitations Act, S.S. 2004, c. L-16.1.
• (NOTE: If it's an action against a city, there is a 1 year limitation period to both file AND serve the claim).
• Ultimate Limitation Period – 15 years. Limitations Act, S.S. 2004, c. L-16.1.

YUKON

General Limitation Period – 6 years commencing when cause of action arises. Limitation of Actions Act, R.S.Y. 2002, c. 139, s. 2(1)(e), (f)

Conclusion

Although it is important for subrogation professionals to be alert to some of the limitation periods which might commonly apply in property damage claims, the limitation period which finally applies in a given case can be a complex and difficult legal issue to determine and may require resort to both legislation and case law. Oftentimes, the seemingly obvious limitation period is not the correct one and in some cases, the correct limitation period may even be difficult for lawyers to identify or locate. The opinion of an experienced lawyer should always be obtained in order to ensure that a subrogated claim is not unintentionally forsaken.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.