Is evidence of subjective intentions or of pre-contractual negotiations admissible on the construction of a contract?

British Columbia, Canada


The following excerpt is from Fawcett v. Western Canadian Coal Corp., 2009 BCSC 446 (CanLII):

Evidence of the subjective intentions of the parties or of pre-contractual negotiations is not relevant or admissible on the construction of the contract: Cadinha v. Chemar Corp., [1995] B.C.J. No. 775 (S.C.) at para. 3.

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