Vavilov is the sixth attempt in 50 years by the Supreme Court of Canada to grapple with standards of review. The reasons in Vavilov are quite extensive, and provide a great deal of food for thought. The majority changes some of the previous approach to standards of review in a large part of Administrative Law. The minority sharply disagrees with some of the majority’s analysis and approach. This paper will concentrate on the important highlights and take-aways from Vavilov, leaving detailed dissection to other places and other authors.
It will also identify areas which Vavilov does not deal with, or which bear watching for further developments.