Presumption against Interference with Pending Litigation

If an enactment operates retroactively, as it does in this case then, by definition, it applies to pending litigation.It would be illustrated with the following Citation . [Blogger]

In The Interpretation of Legislation in Canada, 2nd ed. (Cowansville: Les Éditions Yvon Blais, Inc., 1991), at 160, Côté explains the presumption against interference with pending litigation as follows:

In general, new statutes affecting substantive matters do not apply to pending cases, even those under appeal. Since the judicial process is generally declaratory of rights, the judge declares the rights of the parties as they existed when the cause of action arose: the day of the tort, the conclusion of the contract, the commission of the crime, etc. A new statute that is substantive will not apply to pending cases, unless it is retroactive in the true sense of the word, that is, unless it operates in the past and modifies the law in effect on the day of the tort, the crime, the contract, etc. A pending case, even one under appeal, can be affected by a retroactive statute, even one enacted pending appeal.

                                                                                                                                [Emphasis added.]