What is the test for assessing the credibility of witness testimony when there is conflicting evidence?

Alberta, Canada


The following excerpt is from Yang v Alberta New Home Warranty Program, 2020 AHRC 18 (CanLII):

Claims of discrimination require a review of the totality of the evidence, as discrimination on the basis of protected grounds is often not overtly stated or documented. These cases require a careful review of the entire context of the situation and circumstances; often, findings regarding credibility are critical. Faryna v. Chorney[13] aptly captures the test for assessing the credibility of witness testimony when there is conflicting evidence: • The credibility of interested witnesses, particularly in cases of conflict of evidence, cannot be gauged solely by the test of whether the personal demeanour of the particular witness carried conviction of the truth. The test must reasonably subject his story to an examination of its consistency with the probabilities that surround the currently existing conditions. In short, the real test of the truth of the story of a witness in such a case must be its harmony with the preponderance of the probabilities which a practical and informed person would readily recognize as reasonable in that place and in those conditions. To date the Respondent has not produced any factual evidence in its response to support any of the alleged performance issues which it repeatedly claims is the fundamental reason for my termination. Given the lack of factual evidence presented by the Respondent, I believe the Director has erred in dismissing my discrimination complaint without considering the totality of evidence.

Other Questions


What is the test for credibility of witness testimony when there is conflicting evidence? (Alberta, Canada)
Is a finder of fact not compelled to discount the evidence of a witness on a point when an opposing witness has not been confronted and challenged with the contrary version of the evidence? (Alberta, Canada)
When can a witness give evidence that is not in evidence at trial? (Alberta, Canada)
Is evidence of a statement made to a witness by a person who was not himself called as a witness admissible? (Alberta, Canada)
How will the trier of fact assess evidence and argument with respect to complex accounting information? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the test for the credibility of expert testimony in the context of Factortame? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the test for assessing exculpatory evidence in a sexual assault trial? (Alberta, Canada)
Is there any case law or case law in which a defence counsel has been found to have made out deficiencies in the credibility assessment? (Alberta, Canada)
What is the test for accepting as true the evidence of a witness who has not been cross-examined? (Alberta, Canada)
Is there any evidence that would have allowed the jury to engage in a credibility contest? (Alberta, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.