ALBERTA EVIDENCE ACT ALBERTA EVIDENCE ACT
Chapter A‑18
Table of Contents
1 Definitions
Application of Act
2 Application of Act
Competency of Witnesses
3 Admission of witness with interest, etc.
4 Competency as witnesses
5 Evidence as to intercourse
6 Incriminating questions
7 Questions re adultery
8 Communications made during marriage or adult interdependent relationship
9 Quality assurance records
Corroborative Evidence
10 Evidence re breach of promise
11 Evidence in action by heir, etc.
12 Evidence in action by lunatic, etc.
Principal and Agent
13 Principal and agent
Oaths and Affirmations
14 Form, etc., of oath
15 Administration of oath
16 Scottish oath
17 Affirmation, etc., instead of oath
18 Statutory declaration
19 Evidence of child
20 Evidence of mute person
Attendance of Witnesses
21 Action against witness disobeying subpoena
Examination of Witnesses
22 Cross-examination
23 Proof of contradictory statement
24 Proof of previous conviction of witness
25 Contradiction of witness
Admissibility of Previous Court Proceedings
26 Admissibility of previous court proceedings
Apology
26.1 Effect of apology on liability
Statutes and Public Documents
27 Proof of letters patent
28 Copies of statutes, etc., as evidence
29 Proof of proclamations, etc.
30 Order signed by Secretary of State or Provincial Secretary
31 Published notices as evidence
32 Judicial notice
33 Copies of documents as evidence
34 Privileged document
35 Copies of entries in departmental books
36 Birth records, etc., as evidence
37 Certificate of weighmaster as evidence
38 Copies of public books, etc., as evidence
39 Conclusiveness of documents
40 Photographic film as evidence
41 Bank records as evidence Electronic Records
41.1 Definitions
41.2 Application
41.3 Authentication
41.4 Application of the best evidence rule
41.5 Presumption of integrity
41.6 Standards
41.7 Proof by affidavit
41.8 Cross‑examination
Signatures of Judges
42 Judicial notice of signatures
43 Proof of signature
44 Proof of foreign judgments
Notarial Documents
45 Notarial documents
Protests of Bills and Notes
46 Protest as evidence
47 Oaths made outside Alberta
48 Validity of sworn statements
49 Informalities in affidavits
50 Copy of deposition as evidence
Proof of Wills
51 Probate of will, etc., as evidence
52 Death outside Alberta
Copies of Instruments
53 Copy of registered document as proof
54 Original document and copy
55 Proof of telegrams, etc.
Miscellaneous
56 Case before foreign court
57 Attestation as to validity of instrument
58 Comparison of disputed writing
59 Impounding documents
60 Recitals, etc., 20 years old
61 Proving old documents
62 Construction of Act
63 Proving death of member of Forces
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:
Definitions
1 In this Act,
(a) “action” includes
(i) an issue, matter, arbitration, reference, investigation or inquiry,
(ii) a prosecution for an offence committed against an Act of the Legislature or in force in Alberta, or against a bylaw or regulation made under the authority of any such Act, and
(iii) any other proceeding authorized or permitted to be tried, heard, had or taken by or before a court under the law of Alberta;
(b) “court” includes a judge, arbitrator, umpire, commissioner, judge of the Provincial Court, justice of the peace or other officer or person having by law or by the consent of parties authority to hear, receive and examine evidence;
(c) “witness” includes a person
(i) who in the course of an action is questioned orally under Part 5 of the Alberta Rules of Court or is cross‑examined on an affidavit made by the person,
(ii) who makes answer by affidavit on any interrogatories, or
(iii) who makes an affidavit of records under Part 5 of the Alberta Rules of Court.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s1;2008 c32 s5;2009 c53 s16
Application of Act
Application of Act
2 This Act extends and applies to evidence offered or taken
(a) orally,
(b) by interrogatories,
(c) by affidavits,
(d) by the production of documents or things, or
(e) otherwise,
by or before a court in an action.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s2
Competency of Witnesses
Admission of witness with interest, etc.
3(1) No person offered as a witness in an action shall be excluded from giving evidence by reason of any alleged incapacity from crime or interest.
(2) A person offered as a witness shall be admitted to give evidence notwithstanding that the person has an interest in the matter in question or in the event of the action or that the person has been previously convicted of a crime or offence.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s3
Competency as witnesses
4(1) The parties to an action and the persons on whose behalf the action is brought, instituted, opposed or defended are, except as otherwise provided in this Act, competent and compellable to give evidence on behalf of themselves or of any of the parties.
(2) The spouses and adult interdependent partners of the parties and persons mentioned in subsection (1) are, except as otherwise provided in this Act, competent and compellable to give evidence on behalf of any of the parties.
(3) Nothing in this section makes the defendant in a prosecution under an Act of the Legislature compellable to give evidence for or against himself or herself.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s4;2002 cA‑4.5 s15
Evidence as to intercourse
5 Without limiting the generality of section 4, a spouse or an adult interdependent partner may in an action give evidence that he or she did or did not have sexual intercourse with the other spouse or adult interdependent partner at any time or within any period of time before or during the marriage or adult interdependent relationship.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s5;2002 cA‑4.5 s15
Incriminating questions
6(1) A witness shall not be excused from answering any question on the ground that the answer may tend to incriminate the witness or may tend to establish the witness’s liability to prosecution under an Act of the Legislature.
(2) A witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence so given used to incriminate that witness in any other proceedings, except in a prosecution for perjury or for the giving of contradictory evidence.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s6;1985 c15 s1
Questions re adultery
7(1) No witness in an action whether a party to it or not is liable to be asked or shall be bound to answer a question tending to show that the witness has been guilty of adultery unless the witness has already given evidence in the same action in disproof of the alleged adultery.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, subsection (1) does not apply in the case of any prosecution for an offence against the criminal law of Canada but evidence given in any such prosecution and tending to show the commission of adultery is inadmissible in evidence in any civil proceeding.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s7
Communications made during marriage or adult interdependent relationship
8 A spouse or an adult interdependent partner is not compellable to disclose any communication made to him or her by the other spouse or adult interdependent partner during the marriage or adult interdependent relationship.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s8;2002 cA‑4.5 s15
Quality assurance records
9(1) In this section,
(a) “quality assurance activity” means a planned or systematic activity the purpose of which is to study, assess or evaluate the provision of health services with a view to the continual improvement of
(i) the quality of health care or health services, or
(ii) the level of skill, knowledge and competence of health service providers;
(b) “quality assurance committee” means a committee, commission, council or other body that has as its primary purpose the carrying out of quality assurance activities and that is
(i) appointed by
(A) a regional health authority,
(B), (C) repealed 2008 cH‑4.3 s8,
(D) the board of an approved hospital under the Hospitals Act, or
(E) the operator of a nursing home,
(ii) established by or under another enactment of Alberta, or
(iii) designated by an order of the Minister of Health as a quality assurance committee for the purposes of this section,
but does not include a committee whose purpose, under legislation governing a profession or occupation, is to review the practice of or to deal with complaints respecting the conduct of a person practising a profession or occupation;
(c) “quality assurance record” means a record of information in any form that is created or received by or for a quality assurance committee in the course of or for the purpose of its carrying out quality assurance activities, and includes books, documents, maps, drawings, photographs, letters, vouchers and papers and any other information that is written, photographed, recorded or stored in any manner, but does not include software or any mechanism that produces records.
(2) A witness in an action, whether a party to it or not,
(a) is not liable to be asked, and shall not be permitted to answer, any question as to any proceedings before a quality assurance committee, and
(b) is not liable to be asked to produce and shall not be permitted to produce any quality assurance record in that person’s or the committee’s possession or under that person’s or the committee’s control.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to original medical and hospital records pertaining to a patient.
(4) Notwithstanding that a witness in an action
(a) is or has been a member of,
(b) has participated in the activities of,
(c) has made a report, statement, memorandum or recommendation to, or
(d) has provided information to,
a quality assurance committee, the witness is not, subject to subsection (2), excused from answering any question or producing any document that the witness is otherwise bound to answer or produce.
(5) Neither
(a) the disclosure of any information or of any document or anything contained in a document, or the submission of any report, statement, memorandum or recommendation, to a quality assurance committee for the purpose of its quality assurance activities,
nor
(b) the disclosure of any information, or of any document or anything contained in a document, that arises out of the quality assurance activities of a quality assurance committee,
creates any liability on the part of the person making the disclosure or submission.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s9;2008 cH‑4.3 s8;2013 c10 s37
Corroborative Evidence
Evidence re breach of promise
10 The plaintiff in an action for breach of promise of marriage shall not succeed in the action unless the plaintiff’s testimony is corroborated by some other material evidence in support of the promise.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s11
Evidence in action by heir, etc.
11 In an action by or against the heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators or assigns of a deceased person, an opposed or interested party shall not obtain a verdict, judgment or decision on that party’s own evidence in respect of any matter occurring before the death of the deceased person, unless the evidence is corroborated by other material evidence.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s12
Evidence in action by lunatic, etc.
12 In an action by or against a lunatic so found or by or against an inmate of a mental health facility, or a person who from unsoundness of mind is incapable of giving evidence, an opposed or interested party shall not obtain a verdict, judgment or decision on that party’s own evidence unless that party’s evidence is corroborated by other material evidence.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s13
Principal and Agent
Principal and agent
13 On the trial of an action between a principal and an agent founded on any cause of action, if the principal satisfies the judge of the existence of a duty on the part of the agent to do any act or thing, the burden of proof as to the doing of that act or thing is then placed on the agent.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s14
Oaths and Affirmations
Form, etc., of oath
14(1) When an oath may lawfully be administered to a person
(a) as a witness or as a deponent in an action,
(b) on appointment to an office or employment, or
(c) on any occasion whatever,
that person is bound by the oath administered if it has been administered in a form and with any ceremonies that the person may declare to be binding.
(2) When an oath is duly administered and taken, the fact that the person to whom it was administered has at the time of taking the oath no religious belief does not for any purpose affect the validity of the oath.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s15
Administration of oath
15(1) An oath may be administered in the form and manner following:
The person taking the oath shall hold the Bible or New Testament, or Old Testament in the case of an adherent of the Jewish religion, in the person’s uplifted hand and the officer administering the oath shall say: “You swear that the evidence you give as touching the matters in question in this action or matter shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help you God”, to which the person being sworn shall say “I do” or give his or her assent to it in a manner satisfactory to the court or to the officer administering the oath.
(2) Without in any way limiting or restricting the manner in which an oath may be administered, the oath may be taken or sworn on any one of the 4 Gospels.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s16
Scottish oath
16 If a person to whom an oath is to be administered desires to swear with uplifted hand in the form and manner in which an oath is usually administered in Scotland the person shall be permitted to do so, and the oath shall be administered to the person in that form and manner without further question.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s17
Affirmation, etc., instead of oath
17(1) If, in an action or on an occasion when an oath is required or permitted, a person called as a witness, or required or desiring to give evidence or to make an affidavit or deposition, objects to taking an oath or is objected to as incompetent to take an oath, if the presiding judge or the person qualified to take affidavits or depositions is satisfied that the witness or deponent objects to being sworn
(a) from conscientious scruples,
(b) on the ground of the religious belief of the witness or deponent, or
(c) on the ground that the taking of an oath would have no binding effect on the conscience of the witness or deponent,
the witness or deponent may make an affirmation and declaration instead of taking an oath.
(2) The affirmation and declaration of that person is of the same force and effect as if that person had taken an oath in the usual form.
(3) When the evidence is in the form of an affidavit or written deposition, the person before whom it is taken shall certify that the deponent satisfied the person that the deponent was a person entitled to affirm.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s18
Statutory declaration
18 Any person authorized by law to administer oaths or to take affidavits in any matter may receive the solemn declaration of any person making it before the authorized person, in the following form, in attestation of the execution of any writing, deed or instrument or of the truth of any fact or of any account rendered in writing:
I, , solemnly declare that (state the fact or facts declared to), and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath.
Declared before me at this __ day of ____ , 20 .
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s19
Evidence of child
19(1) In a legal proceeding where a child of tender years is offered as a witness and the child does not, in the opinion of the judge, justice or other presiding officer, understand the nature of an oath, the evidence of the child may be received though not given on oath if, in the opinion of the judge, justice or other presiding officer, the child is possessed of sufficient intelligence to justify the reception of the evidence and understands the duty of speaking the truth.
(2) No case shall be decided on the evidence unless the evidence is corroborated by other material evidence.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s20
Evidence of mute person
20 A witness who is unable to speak may give evidence in any manner by which the witness can make it intelligible.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s21
Attendance of Witnesses
Action against witness disobeying subpoena
21 When a witness who has been
(a) served in due time with
(i) a subpoena issued out of any court in Alberta, or
(ii) a notice authorized instead of a subpoena, and
(b) paid the witness’s proper fees, expenses and allowances,
defaults in obeying the subpoena or notice without any lawful and reasonable impediment, the witness, in addition to any penalty the witness may incur for a contempt of court, is liable to an action, on the part of the person by whom or on whose behalf the witness has been subpoenaed or summoned, for any damage that that person sustains or is put to by reason of the default.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s21;2009 c53 s16
Examination of Witnesses
Cross-examination
22(1) A witness may be cross‑examined with regard to previous statements made by the witness in writing, or reduced to writing, and relative to the matter in question, without the writing being shown to the witness.
(2) If it is intended to contradict the witness by the writing, the witness’s attention shall, before the contradictory proof is given, be called to those parts of the writing that are to be used for the purpose of contradicting the witness.
(3) The judge or other person presiding may, at any time during the trial or proceeding, require the production of the writing for the judge’s or the other presiding person’s inspection, and may on production make any use of the writing for the purposes of the trial or proceedings that the judge or other presiding person thinks fit.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s23
Proof of contradictory statement
23(1) If a witness on cross‑examination with regard to a former statement made by the witness about the matter in question and inconsistent with the witness’s present testimony does not distinctly admit that the witness made the statement, proof may, subject to subsection (2), be given that the witness did in fact make that statement.
(2) Before that proof is given, those circumstances of the alleged statement that are sufficient to designate the particular occasion shall be mentioned to the witness, and the witness shall be asked whether the witness did make the statement.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s24
Proof of previous conviction of witness
24(1) A witness may be asked whether the witness has been convicted of a crime and, on being so asked, if the witness either denies the fact or refuses to answer, the conviction may be proved.
(2) A certificate
(a) that specifies the substance and effect only, omitting the formal part, of the charge and the conviction, and
(b) that purports to be signed by the officer having the custody of the records of the court in which the offender was convicted, or by the deputy of the officer,
is, on proof of the identity of the witness as the convicted person, sufficient evidence of the conviction without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate.
(3) A fee of not more than $1 may be demanded or taken for the certificate.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s25
Contradiction of witness
25(1) A party producing a witness shall not be allowed to impeach the witness’s credit by general evidence of bad character but the party may contradict the witness by other evidence.
(2) If the witness in the opinion of the judge or other person presiding proves adverse, the party producing the witness may with the permission of the judge or other person presiding prove that the witness made at some other time a statement inconsistent with the witness’s present testimony.
(3) Before the proof referred to in subsection (2) is given, those circumstances of the inconsistent statement that are sufficient to designate the particular occasion shall be mentioned to the witness and the witness shall be asked whether the witness did make the statement.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s25;2014 c13 s14
Admissibility of Previous Court Proceedings
Admissibility of previous court proceedings
26(1) In this section,
(a) “conviction” means a conviction
(i) that is not subject to appeal or further appeal, or
(ii) in respect of which no appeal is taken;
(b) “finding of guilt” means the plea of guilty by an accused to an offence or the finding that an accused is guilty of an offence made before or by a court that makes an order directing that the accused be discharged for the offence either absolutely or on the conditions prescribed in a probation order, when
(i) the order directing the discharge is not subject to further appeal, or
(ii) no appeal is taken in respect of the order directing the discharge,
and “found guilty” has a corresponding meaning.
(2) When
(a) a person has been convicted of or is found guilty of an offence anywhere in Canada, and
(b) the commission of that offence is relevant to an issue in an action,
then, whether or not that person is a party to the action, proof of the conviction or the finding of guilt, as the case may be, is admissible in evidence for the purpose of proving that the person committed the offence.
(3) A certificate containing the substance and effect only, omitting the formal part, of the charge and of the conviction or finding of guilt, as the case may be, purporting to be signed by
(a) the officer having the custody of the records of the court in which the offender was convicted or found guilty, or
(b) the deputy of the officer,
is, on proof of the identity of a person as the offender, sufficient evidence of the conviction of that person or the finding of guilt against that person, without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate.
(4) When proof of the conviction or finding of guilt of a person is tendered in evidence pursuant to subsection (2) in an action for defamation, the conviction of that person or the finding of guilt against that person is conclusive proof that the person committed the offence.
(5) When proof of a conviction or a finding of guilt is admitted in evidence under this section, the contents of the information, complaint or indictment relating to the offence of which the person was convicted or found guilty is admissible in evidence.
(6) Subject to subsection (4), the weight to be given the conviction or finding of guilt shall be determined by the judge or jury, as the case may be.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s27
Apology
Effect of apology on liability
26.1(1) In this section, “apology” means an expression of sympathy or regret, a statement that one is sorry or any other words or actions indicating contrition or commiseration, whether or not the words or actions admit or imply an admission of fault in connection with the matter to which the words or actions relate.
(2) An apology made by or on behalf of a person in connection with any matter
(a) does not constitute an express or implied admission of fault or liability by the person in connection with that matter,
(b) does not constitute a confirmation or acknowledgment of a claim in relation to that matter for the purposes of the Limitations Act,
(c) does not, notwithstanding any wording to the contrary in any contract of insurance and notwithstanding any other enactment, void, impair or otherwise affect any insurance coverage that is available, or that would, but for the apology, be available, to the person in connection with that matter, and
(d) shall not be taken into account in any determination of fault or liability in connection with that matter.
(3) Notwithstanding any other enactment, evidence of an apology made by or on behalf of a person in connection with any matter is not admissible in any court as evidence of the fault or liability of the person in connection with that matter.
(4) This section does not apply to the prosecution of an offence.
2008 c11 s2;2009 c48 s1
Statutes and Public Documents
Proof of letters patent
27(1) Letters patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or of any other of Her Majesty’s realms and territories may be proved by the production of an exemplification of the letters patent or of the enrolment thereof, under the Great Seal under which the letters patent issued.
(2) The exemplification of the letters patent has the like effect for all purposes against the Crown as well as against all other persons as the letters patent exemplified by it have.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s28
Copies of statutes, etc., as evidence
28 Copies of statutes, official gazettes, ordinances, regulations, proclamations, journals, orders, appointments to office, notices of them and other public documents purporting to be printed by or under the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or of the Imperial Government or by or under the authority of the government or of any legislative body within any of Her Majesty’s realms and territories shall be admitted in evidence to prove the contents of them.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s29
Proof of proclamations, etc.
29(1) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of a proclamation, order, regulation or appointment to office may be given by the production
(a) of a copy of the Canada Gazette or of the official gazette for any province or territory of Canada purporting to contain a notice of the proclamation, order, regulation or appointment,
(b) of a copy of the proclamation, order, regulation or appointment purporting to be printed by the Queen’s Printer or by the Government Printer for the province or territory, or
(c) of a copy of or extract from the proclamation, order, regulation or appointment and purporting to be certified to be a true copy by a Minister or head of a department or by the Clerk of the Executive Council or a person designated by the Clerk or by the head of a department of the Government of Canada or of a provincial or territorial government or by the head’s deputy or acting deputy.
(2) This section refers to a proclamation, order, regulation or appointment to office made or issued
(a) by the Governor General or the Governor General in Council, or other chief executive officer or administrator of the Government of Canada,
(b) by or under the authority of a Minister or head of a department of the Government of Canada or of any provincial or territorial government in Canada, or
(c) by a Lieutenant Governor or Lieutenant Governor in Council or other chief executive officer or administrator of Alberta or of any other province or territory in Canada.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s30;1984 c55 s3;1987 c29 s1
Order signed by Secretary of State or Provincial Secretary
30(1) An order in writing purporting to be signed by the Secretary of State of Canada and to be written by command of the Governor General shall be received in evidence as the order of the Governor General.
(2) An order in writing purporting to be signed by the Provincial Secretary and to be written by command of the Lieutenant Governor shall be received in evidence as the order of the Lieutenant Governor.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s31
Published notices as evidence
31 Copies of proclamations and of official and other documents, notices and advertisements printed in the Canada Gazette or in The Alberta Gazette or in the official gazette of any province or territory in Canada are proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the originals and of their contents.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s32
Judicial notice
32 Notwithstanding anything in this Act, every Act or regulation of Alberta or of Canada and every proclamation and every order made or issued by the Governor General or the Governor General in Council or by the Lieutenant Governor or the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and every publication of them in the Canada Gazette or The Alberta Gazette, shall be judicially noticed.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s33
Copies of documents as evidence
33 When the original record could be received in evidence, a copy
(a) of an official or public document in Alberta purporting to be certified under the hand of the proper officer or the person in whose custody the official or public document is placed, or
(b) of a document, bylaw, rule, regulation or proceeding, or of an entry in a register or other book of a corporation, carrying on business in Alberta and created by a charter or Act of the Legislature or a charter or ordinance of the North-West Territories, purporting to be certified under the seal of the corporation and the hand of its presiding officer or secretary,
is receivable in evidence without proof of the seal of the corporation or of the signature or official character of the person or persons appearing to have signed it and without further proof.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s34
Privileged document
34(1) When a document is in the official possession, custody or power of a member of the Executive Council, or of the head of a department of the public service of Alberta, but a deputy head or other officer has the document in the deputy head’s or other officer’s personal possession and is called as a witness, the deputy head or other officer, acting by the direction and on behalf of the member of the Executive Council or head of a department, is entitled to object to the production of the document on the ground that it is privileged.
(2) The objection may be taken by that deputy head or other officer in the same manner and has the same effect as if the member of the Executive Council or head of a department were personally present and made the objection.
(3) A subpoena shall not issue out of a court requiring
(a) the attendance of an employee, or
(b) the production of a document of a Department in the official custody or possession of an employee,
without an order of the court.
(4) An employee shall not disclose or be compelled to disclose information obtained by the employee in the employee’s official capacity if a member of the Executive Council certifies that in the member’s opinion
(a) it is not in the public interest to disclose that information, or
(b) the information cannot be disclosed without prejudice to the interests of persons not concerned in the litigation.
(5) The information certified under subsection (4) is privileged.
(6) In this section, “employee” means a person employed in the public service of Alberta, whether the employee’s employment is permanent or temporary or on a full‑time or part‑time basis.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s35;1983 cL‑10.1 s57
Copies of entries in departmental books
35(1) A copy of an entry in any book of account kept in any department, commission, board, or other branch of the Government of Canada or of Alberta is admissible in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the entry, and of the matters, transactions and accounts recorded in it, if it is proved by the oath or affidavit of an officer of the branch concerned that
(a) the book was, at the time of the making of the entry, one of the ordinary books kept in the branch,
(b) the entry was apparently, and as the deponent believes, made in the usual and ordinary course of business of the branch, and
(c) the copy is a true copy of the entry.
(2) When by an Act or regulation under the Act provision is made for the issue by a department, commission, board, or other branch of the Government of Canada or of Alberta of a licence required for the doing or having of any act or thing, or provision is made for the issue of any other document, the affidavit of an official of the branch concerned stating that
(a) the official has charge of the appropriate records,
(b) the official has made a careful examination and search of those records, and
(c) in any given case
(i) a licence or other document has been issued,
(ii) the official has been unable to find that a licence or other document has been issued, or
(iii) though a licence or other document has been issued, it has since been suspended or cancelled,
is admissible in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the licence or other document has or has not been issued, or has been suspended or cancelled, as the case may be.
(3) When evidence is offered by affidavit pursuant to this section, it is not necessary to prove the official character of the person making the affidavit if that information is set out in the body of the affidavit.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s36
Birth records, etc., as evidence
36 A copy of the record of a birth, marriage or death in the possession of a department of the government of a province or territory purporting to be certified as a true copy of the original by the officer who has custody of the original record, is admissible in evidence as proof of the original record and of its possession by the department.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s37
Certificate of weighmaster as evidence
37 A certificate or extract from a record used by a weighmaster or grain inspecting officer under the Canada Grain Act (Canada), if signed and sealed as provided by that Act, is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the facts stated in the certificate or extract without proof of the seal or of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s38
Copies of public books, etc., as evidence
38(1) When a book or other document is of so public a nature as to be admissible in evidence on its mere production from the proper custody, a copy of the book or other document or an extract from it is admissible in evidence if it is proved
(a) that the copy or extract is an examined copy or examined extract, or
(b) that the copy or extract purports to be signed and certified as a true copy or true extract by the officer to whose custody the original book or document has been entrusted.
(2) The officer to whose custody the original book or document has been entrusted shall on payment of a sum not exceeding $0.20 for each folio of 100 words furnish a certified copy of the book or document or certified extract from it to a person applying for it at a reasonable time.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s39
Conclusiveness of documents
39 If an Act or regulation provides that a document is evidence of a fact without anything in the context to indicate that the document is conclusive evidence, then the document is admissible in evidence in any action, and the fact is deemed to be established in the absence of any evidence to the contrary.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s40
Photographic film as evidence
40(1) In this section,
(a) “person” includes
(i) the Government of Canada and of any province or territory of Canada and any department, commission, board or branch of any of those governments,
(ii) a corporation, and
(iii) the heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives of a person;
(b) “photographic film” includes a photographic plate, microphotographic film and photostatic negative, and “photograph” has a corresponding meaning.
(2) When a bill of exchange, promissory note, cheque, receipt, instrument, agreement, document, plan or a record or book or entry in it kept or held by a person
(a) is photographed in the course of an established practice of that person for photographing objects of the same or a similar class in order to keep a permanent record of it, and
(b) is destroyed by or in the presence of the person or of one or more of the person’s employees or is delivered to another person in the ordinary course of business or is lost,
a print from the photographic film is admissible in evidence in all cases and for all purposes for which the object photographed would have been admissible.
(3) When a bill of exchange, promissory note, cheque, receipt, instrument, agreement or other executed or signed document was so destroyed before the expiration of 6 years
(a) from the date when in the ordinary course of business either the object or the matter to which it related ceased to be treated as current by the person having custody or control of the object, or
(b) from the date of receipt, by the person having custody or control of the object, of notice in writing of any claim in respect of the object or matter prior to the destruction of the object,
whichever is the later date, the court may refuse to admit in evidence under this section a print from a photographic film of the object.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply in any case where a photographic print is tendered by
(a) a government;
(b) the Bank of Canada;
(c) a municipal corporation;
(d) a Metis settlement;
(e) a board of a school district or school division under the School Act;
(f) The Board of the Northland School Division No. 61 under the Northland School Division Act;
(g) a regional health authority under the Regional Health Authorities Act.
(5) Proof of compliance with the conditions prescribed by this section may be given either orally or by affidavit sworn before a notary public by any person having knowledge of the facts and, unless the court otherwise orders, a notarial copy of that affidavit is admissible in evidence instead of the original affidavit.
(6) When pursuant to the Land Titles Act a certificate of title is removed from the register, and is replaced by 2 photostatic negatives, the 2 negatives, notwithstanding that the certificate of title has not been destroyed, are admissible in evidence in all cases and for all purposes for which the certificate of title would have been admissible.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s41;1983 c18 s1; 1994 cR‑9.07 s25(1);1998 c22 s2
Bank records as evidence
41(1) In this section,
(a) “bank” means a bank to which the Bank Act (Canada) applies, and includes a branch, agency or office of the bank;
(b) “court” means the court, judge or arbitrator under the Arbitration Act or person before whom a legal proceeding is held or taken for the purposes of which proceeding it is required to inspect or take copies of entries in the books or records of a bank;
(c) “legal proceeding” means a civil proceeding or inquiry in which evidence is or may be given, and includes an arbitration.
(2) Subject to this section, a copy of an entry in a book or record kept in a bank shall in all legal proceedings be received in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the entry and of the matters, transactions and accounts therein.
(3) A copy of an entry in the book or record shall not be received in evidence under this section unless it is first proved
(a) that the book or record was at the time of the making of the entry one of the ordinary books or records of the bank,
(b) that the entry was made in the usual and ordinary course of business,
(c) that the book or record is in the custody or control of the bank, and
(d) that the copy is a true copy thereof.
(4) Evidence to prove the matters required by subsection (3) to be proved may be given by the manager or accountant of the bank and may be given orally or by affidavit sworn before a commissioner for taking affidavits or other competent authority of the like nature.
(5) A bank or officer of a bank is not compellable in a legal proceeding to which the bank is not a party
(a) to produce a book or record, the contents of which can be proved under this section, or
(b) to appear as a witness to prove the matters, transactions and accounts recorded in it,
unless so ordered by an order of the court made for special cause.
(6) On the application of a party to a legal proceeding, the court may order that that party be at liberty to inspect and take copies of entries in the books or records of a bank for the purposes of the legal proceeding.
(7) The person whose account is to be inspected shall be notified of the application at least 2 clear days before the hearing of it.
(8) If it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the person whose account is to be inspected cannot be notified personally, the court may order the notice to be given by addressing it to the bank.
(9) The costs of an application to a court under this section and the costs of anything done or to be done under an order of the court made under this section are in the discretion of the court.
(10) The court may order the costs or a part of the costs to be paid to any party by the bank when the costs have been occasioned by default or delay on the part of the bank.
(11) An order against a bank made under subsection (10) may be enforced as if the bank were a party to the proceeding.
(12) Holidays shall be excluded from the computation of time under this section.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s42
Electronic Records
Definitions
41.1 In this section and sections 41.2 to 41.8,
(a) “electronic record” means information that
(i) is recorded or stored on any medium in or by a computer system or other similar device, and
(ii) can be read or perceived by a person or a computer system or other similar device,
and includes a display, printout or other output of that information, other than a printout referred to in section 41.4(3);
(b) “electronic records system” includes the computer system or other similar device by or in which information is recorded or stored, and any procedures related to the recording and storage of electronic records.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Application
41.2(1) Sections 41.3 to 41.8 do not modify any common law or statutory rule relating to the admissibility of records, except the rules relating to authentication and best evidence.
(2) A court may have regard to evidence adduced under sections 41.3 to 41.8 in applying any common law or statutory rule relating to the admissibility of records.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Authentication
41.3 A person seeking to introduce an electronic record as evidence has the burden of proving its authenticity by evidence capable of supporting a finding that the electronic record is what the person claims it to be.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Application of the best evidence rule
41.4(1) Subject to subsection (3), where the best evidence rule is applicable in respect of an electronic record, it is satisfied on proof of the integrity of the electronic records system.
(2) The integrity of an electronic record may be proved by evidence of the integrity of the electronic records system by or in which the information was recorded or stored, or by evidence that reliable encryption techniques were used to support the integrity of the electronic record.
(3) An electronic record in the form of a printout that has been manifestly or consistently acted on, relied on or used as the record of the information recorded or stored on the printout is the record for the purposes of the best evidence rule.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Presumption of integrity
41.5 For the purposes of section 41.4(1), in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the integrity of the electronic records system in which an electronic record is recorded or stored is proved
(a) by evidence that supports a finding that at all material times the computer system or other similar device was operating properly or, if it was not, the fact of its not operating properly did not affect the integrity of the electronic record, and there are no other reasonable grounds to doubt the integrity of the electronic records system,
(b) if it is established that the electronic record was recorded or stored by a party to the proceedings who is adverse in interest to the party seeking to introduce it, or
(c) if it is established that the electronic record was recorded or stored in the usual and ordinary course of business by a person who is not a party to the proceedings and who did not record or store it under the control of the party seeking to introduce it.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Standards
41.6 For the purpose of determining under any rule of law whether an electronic record is admissible, evidence may be presented in respect of any standard, procedure, usage or practice on how electronic records are to be recorded or stored, having regard to the type of business or endeavour that used, recorded or stored the electronic record and the nature and purpose of the electronic record.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Proof by affidavit
41.7 The matters referred to in sections 41.4(3), 41.5 and 41.6 may be established by an affidavit given to the best of the deponent’s knowledge or belief.
2001 cE‑5.5 s33
Cross-examination
41.8(1) A deponent of an affidavit referred to in section 41.7 that has been introduced in evidence may be cross-examined as of right by a party to the proceedings who is adverse in interest to the party who introduced the affidavit or caused the affidavit to be introduced.
(2) Any party to the proceedings may, with the permission of the court, cross‑examine a person referred to in section 41.5(c).
2001 cE‑5.5 s33;2014 c13 s14
Signatures of Judges
Judicial notice of signatures
42(1) All courts, judges, justices, masters, clerks of court, commissioners and other officers acting judicially shall take judicial notice of the signature of any judge of a court of Canada or of Alberta or of any other province or territory in Canada when the signature is appended or attached to a decree, order, certificate, affidavit or judicial or official document.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the members of the Canadian Transport Commission are deemed judges.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s43
Proof of signature
43(1) No proof is required of the handwriting or official position of any person certifying to the truth of a copy of or extract from a proclamation, order, regulation or appointment.
(2) Any copy or extract referred to in subsection (1) may be in print or in writing or partly in print and partly in writing.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s44
Proof of foreign judgments
44 A judgment, decree or other judicial proceeding recovered, made, had or taken
(a) in the Supreme Court of Judicature in England,
(b) in a Court of Record in England or Ireland,
(c) in any of the Superior Courts of Law, Equity or Bankruptcy in Scotland,
(d) in a Court of Record in Canada or in a British Colony or Possession, or
(e) in a Court of Record of the United States of America or of any State of the United States of America,
may be proved by an exemplification of it under the seal of the Court without any proof of the authenticity of the seal or other proof whatever, in the same manner as a judgment, decree or other judicial proceeding of the Court of Queen’s Bench may be proved by an exemplification of it.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s45
Notarial Documents
Notarial documents
45(1) A copy of a notarial act or instrument in writing
(a) made in Quebec before a notary,
(b) filed, enrolled or enregistered by the notary, and
(c) certified by a notary or prothonotary to be a true copy of the original that is certified to be in the possession of that notary or prothonotary,
is receivable in evidence in the place of the original.
(2) The certified copy so received has the same force and effect as the original would have if produced and proved.
(3) Proof by the certified copy may be rebutted or set aside by proof
(a) that there is no original of the copy,
(b) that the copy is not a true copy of the original in some material particular, or
(c) that the original is not an instrument of such a nature as may by the law of Quebec
(i) be made before a notary, or
(ii) be filed, enrolled or enregistered by a notary.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s46
Protests of Bills and Notes
Protest as evidence
46(1) A protest of a bill of exchange or promissory note purporting to be under the hand of a notary public wherever made shall be received in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the allegations and facts stated in the protest.
(2) A note, memorandum or certificate purporting to be made by a notary public in Canada, in the notary public’s own handwriting, or to be signed by the notary public at the foot of or embodied in a protest, or in a regular register of official acts purporting to be kept by the notary public is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the fact of notice of non‑acceptance or non‑payment of a bill of exchange or promissory note having been sent or delivered at the time and in the manner stated in the note, memorandum or certificate.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s47
Oaths made outside Alberta
47(1) An oath, affidavit, affirmation or declaration administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made outside Alberta before
(a) a judge,
(b) a magistrate,
(c) an officer of a court of justice,
(d) a commissioner for taking affidavits or other competent authority of a similar nature,
(e) a notary public,
(f) the head of a city, town, village, township or other municipality,
(g) an officer of any of Her Majesty’s diplomatic or consular services, including an ambassador, envoy, minister, charge d’affairs, counsellor, secretary, attache, consul‑general, consul, vice‑consul, pro‑consul, consular agent, acting consul‑general, acting consul, acting vice‑consul and acting consular agent,
(h) an officer of the Canadian diplomatic, consular or representative services, including, in addition to the diplomatic and consular officers mentioned in clause (g), a high commissioner, permanent delegate, acting high commissioner, acting permanent delegate, counsellor and secretary, or
(i) a Canadian Government Trade Commissioner or an Assistant Canadian Government Trade Commissioner,
exercising his or her functions or having jurisdiction or authority as such in the place in which it is administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made, is as valid and effectual to all intents and purposes as if it had been administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made within Alberta before a commissioner for oaths under the Notaries and Commissioners Act within Alberta.
(2) An oath, affidavit, affirmation or declaration administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made outside Alberta
(a) before a notary public for Alberta, or
(b) before a commissioner for oaths referred to in section 16(3) of the Notaries and Commissioners Act
is as valid and effectual to all intents and purposes as if it had been administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made in Alberta before a commissioner for oaths in and for Alberta.
(3) A document that purports to be signed by a person mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) in testimony of an oath, affidavit, affirmation or declaration having been administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made before the person, on which the person’s office is shown below the person’s signature, and
(a) in the case of a notary public, that purports to have impressed on it or attached to it the notary public’s official seal,
(b) in the case of a person mentioned in subsection (1)(f), that purports to have impressed on it or attached to it the seal of the municipality, or
(c) in the case of a person mentioned in subsection (1)(g), (h) or (i), that purports to have impressed on it or attached to it the person’s seal or the seal or stamp of the person’s office or of the office to which the person is attached,
is admissible in evidence without proof of the person’s signature or of the person’s office or official character or of the seal or stamp and without proof that the person was exercising the person’s functions or had jurisdiction or authority in the place in which the oath, affidavit, affirmation or declaration was administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s47;2013 cN‑5.5 s29
Validity of sworn statements
48(1) An oath, affidavit, affirmation or declaration administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made in or outside Alberta before a person who holds a commission as an officer in the Canadian Forces and is on full‑time service, whether in or outside Canada, is as valid and effectual to all intents and purposes as if it had been administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made in Alberta before a commissioner for oaths in and for Alberta.
(2) A document that purports to be signed by a person mentioned in subsection (1) in testimony of an oath, affidavit, affirmation or declaration having been administered, taken, sworn, affirmed or made before the person and on which the person’s rank and unit are shown below the person’s signature is admissible in evidence without proof of the person’s signature or of the person’s rank or unit or that the person is on full‑time service.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s48;2013 cN‑5.5 s29
Informalities in affidavits
49 An informality in the heading or other formal requisites of an oath, affidavit, declaration or affirmation made or taken before a commissioner for oaths under this Act, the Notaries and Commissioners Act or another law in force in Alberta is not an objection to the reception in evidence of the oath, affidavit, declaration or affirmation if the court before which it is tendered thinks it proper to receive it.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s49;2013 cN‑5.5 s29
Copy of deposition as evidence
50 When a party or witness is questioned or a deposition of a party or witness has been taken before a judge or other officer or person appointed to take it, copies of the questioning or deposition certified under the hand of the judge, officer or other person taking it shall, without proof of the signature, be received and read in evidence, saving all just exceptions.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s50;2009 c53 s16
Proof of Wills
Probate of will, etc., as evidence
51 In order to establish a devise or other testamentary disposition of or affecting real estate, probate of the will or letters of administration with the will annexed containing the devise or disposition, or a copy of it under the seal of the court granting it, or under the seal of the Court of Queen’s Bench or the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories if the probate or letters of administration were granted by that court shall be received in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the will and of its validity and contents.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s51;RSA 2000 c16(Supp) s40
Death outside Alberta
52(1) When a person dies in any of Her Majesty’s realms and territories outside Alberta after having made a will sufficient to pass real estate in Alberta purporting to devise, charge or affect real estate in Alberta, the party desiring to establish its disposition, after giving one month’s notice to the opposing party to the proceeding of the party’s intention to do so, may produce and file
(a) the probate of the will,
(b) letters of administration with the will annexed, or
(c) a certified copy of the probate or letters of administration under the seal of the court that granted it, and a certificate of the judge, registrar or clerk of the court that the original will is filed and remains in the court and purports to have been executed before 2 witnesses,
and the probate or letters of administration or certified copy with the certificate shall, unless the court otherwise orders, be received in evidence as proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the will and of its validity and contents.
(2) The production of the certificate mentioned in subsection (1) is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the facts stated in the certificate and of the authority of the judge, registrar or clerk without proof of the person’s appointment, authority or signature.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s53
Copies of Instruments
Copy of registered document as proof
53(1) A copy of a document certified to be a true copy under the hand and seal of office of the Registrar or Deputy Registrar under the Land Titles Act, in whose office the document is deposited, filed, kept or registered, is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of the original except in the cases provided for in section 54.
(2) An abstract of title or a general certificate under seal furnished by a registrar in Alberta is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, of its contents.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s54
Original document and copy
54(1) When a public officer produces an original document on a subpoena or on a notice, the document shall not be deposited in the court unless otherwise ordered.
(2) When an order is made that the original be deposited in court, the order shall be delivered to the public officer and the original document shall be retained in court and filed.
(3) If the document is not deposited and if the document or a copy of it is needed for subsequent reference or use, a copy of it or of so much of it as is considered necessary, certified under the hand of the officer producing the document, shall be filed as an exhibit in the place of the original document.
(4) The officer producing the document is entitled to receive, in addition to the officer’s ordinary fees, the fees for a certified copy which shall be paid to the officer before it is delivered or filed.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s55
Proof of telegrams, etc.
55(1) A party intending to prove the original of a telegram, letter, shipping bill, bill of lading, delivery order, receipt, account or other written instrument used in business or other transactions
(a) may give notice to the opposing party at least 10 days before the trial or other proceeding in which the proof is intended to be adduced that the party intends to give in evidence as proof of the contents a writing purporting to be a copy of the document, and
(b) in the notice shall name some convenient time and place for the inspection of it.
(2) The copy may then be inspected by the opposing party and without further proof is sufficient evidence to prove the contents of the original document and shall be accepted and taken instead of the original unless the party receiving the notice within 4 days after the time mentioned for the inspection gives notice that the party intends to dispute the correctness or genuineness of the copy at the trial or proceeding, and to require proof of the original.
(3) The costs attending any production or proof of the original documents are in the discretion of the court.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s56
Miscellaneous
Case before foreign court
56(1) When, on application to the Court of Queen’s Bench, it is made to appear that a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction in a foreign country has by commission, order or other process authorized the obtaining of the testimony, in or in relation to any action, suit, proceeding or inquiry pending in or before the foreign court or tribunal of a witness out of its jurisdiction and within the jurisdiction of the Court of Queen’s Bench, the Court may order the questioning of the witness before the person appointed and in the manner and form directed by the commission, order or other process.
(2) The Court by that order or by a subsequent order,
(a) may command
(i) the attendance of a person named in the order for the purpose of being questioned, or
(ii) the production of any writing, document or thing mentioned in the order,
and
(b) may give all directions with regard to the time and place of the questioning and all other matters connected with it that seem proper.
(3) The order may be enforced and any disobedience to it punished in like manner as the case of an order made by the Court of Queen’s Bench in an action pending in the Court.
(4) A person whose attendance is so ordered is entitled to the same allowances and payment for expenses and loss of time as on attendance at a trial in the Court of Queen’s Bench.
(5) A person questioned under the commission, order or other process
(a) may object to answer and may refuse to answer any questions that the person would be entitled to object to or refuse to answer in an action pending in the Court of Queen’s Bench, and
(b) shall not be compelled to produce at the questioning any writing, document or thing that the person could not be compelled to produce at the trial of such an action.
(6) When the commission, order or other process or the instruction of the court accompanying it directs that the person to be questioned affirm or be sworn, the person appointed to question him or her has the authority to administer the oath to him or her or take his or her affirmation.
RSA 2000 cA‑18 s56;2009 c53 s16
Attestation as to validity of instrument
57 If an attestation to an instrument is not requisite to the validity of the instrument, it is not necessary that the instrument be proved by the attesting witness.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s58
Comparison of disputed writing
58 A witness shall be permitted to make comparison of a disputed writing with any writing proved to the satisfaction of the court to be genuine, and those writings and the evidence of witnesses respecting them may be submitted to the court or jury as evidence of the genuineness or otherwise of the writing in dispute.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s59
Impounding documents
59 When a document is received in evidence, the court admitting it may direct that it be impounded and kept in custody for any period and subject to any conditions that seem proper or until the further order of the court, as the case may be.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s60
Recitals, etc., 20 years old
60 On the completion of any contract for sale of land, recitals, statements of facts and matters and descriptions of parties, contained in deeds, instruments, Acts or statutory declarations that are 20 years old at the date of the contract for sale of land, shall be taken to be sufficient proof of the truth of the recitals, statements and descriptions subject to any stipulations to the contrary in the contract, and except so far as they are proved to be inaccurate.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s61
Proving old documents
61 In any action there shall, in the case of a document proved or purporting to be not less than 20 years old, be made any presumption that immediately before April 30, 1969 would have been made in the case of a document of like character proved or purporting to be not less than 30 years old.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s62
Construction of Act
62 The provisions of this Act shall not be taken to exclude any method of proving documents or facts in any other way in which they may by law be proved.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s63
Proving death of member of Forces
63 The production of a certificate in writing
(a) stating that the person named in the certificate was a member of any of Her Majesty’s Forces,
(b) stating that the person has been officially reported as dead or presumed to be dead, and
(c) purporting to be signed by an authority authorized in that behalf under the National Defence Act (Canada) or under regulations made under that Act,
is sufficient proof of the death of that person and of all the facts stated in the certificate for any purpose to which the authority of the Legislature extends, and also of the office, authority and signature of the person giving or making the certificate without any proof of the person’s appointment, authority or signature.
RSA 1980 cA‑21 s64
