Re Kanamura

Kanamura applied for a mandamus after the Vancouver Licensing Board denied him a wholesale liquor license. The Board refused Kanamura because “their policy was not to grant licenses to Orientals.” (354) While one affidavit filed by a member of the Board stated that the rejection was due to the “unfit” conditions of Kanamura’s business, this appears to be fabricated; the case notes indicate that “he had not seen the premises until after the application had been refused,” and that the license inspector had considered the premises “all right for the business.” (355) Justice Irving dismissed Kanamura’s request for a mandamus, asserting that “other opportunities have and will present themselves” for him to make a new application to the Licensing Board. Chief Justice Hunter did not grant the mandamus against the Board existing at the time of their judgement. He did note that “the Court [was] of the opinion that every person in the country is entitled to have his application heard.” (356)