Episode F2
Episode F2 — R. v. Olan: Dishonesty, Deprivation, and the Foundation of Canadian Fraud Law
49 min · Feb 21, 2023
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Episode F2 — R. v. Olan: Dishonesty, Deprivation, and the Foundation of Canadian Fraud Law
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Episode Summary
This episode explains why R. v. Olan is one of the foundational Supreme Court of Canada fraud decisions. The case helped establish that fraud is not limited to direct lies — the offence can also be proven through broader dishonest conduct that causes deprivation or risk of prejudice to economic interests. Olan helped move Canadian fraud law toward the modern framework: dishonesty plus deprivation. It is especially useful for understanding why 'other fraudulent means' is a broad and flexible concept in Canadian fraud cases.
What You'll Learn
- • Why fraud reaches beyond express lies and false documents
- • How Olan frames deprivation and economic prejudice
- • How Olan sets up Théroux and Zlatic
Key Investigator Takeaways
- • Dishonesty + deprivation is the core of modern fraud
- • Risk of economic prejudice is enough
- • 'Other fraudulent means' is intentionally broad
Cases Discussed
Visual Mind Map
R. v. Olan
Foundation of fraud law
Dishonesty
Ordinary standards
Deprivation
Actual loss
Economic prejudice
Harm to interests
Risk of prejudice
Exposure to loss
Other fraudulent means
Beyond deceit / falsehood
Directors / business conduct
Corporate fraud setting
Company assets
Funds at risk
Ordinary standards of dishonesty
Reasonable-person test
Link to Théroux
Modern test
Link to Zlatic
Other fraudulent means
Investigator takeaway
Look beyond direct lies
Transcript
Show transcript
Episode F2 unpacks R. v. Olan and how it laid the foundation for Canadian fraud law…