A. D'Alessandro

The defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a Schedule I substance (7.6 grams of cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking.

The Crown sought 90 days jail, while the defence argued for time served (45 days enhanced pre-sentence custody) citing increased risks from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The court imposed a sentence of 90 days jail with credit for 45 days pre-sentence custody, leaving 38 days to be served on an intermittent basis (weekends), followed by 18 months probation.

The court rejected the notion of a "COVID discount" but acknowledged the increased onerousness of incarceration during the pandemic as a mitigating factor.

The accused pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking and weapons offences involving methamphetamine and firearms.

The Crown sought 18 months to two years less a day, while the defence sought a time-served disposition citing COVID-19 pandemic concerns in correctional facilities.

The court imposed five months additional custody following 207 days of presentence custody credit, followed by 18 months probation.

The judge considered the pandemic as a sentencing factor but concluded it did not warrant a substantial reduction from the range discussed at the judicial pretrial.