Christina Tang

In an aged criminal prosecution, the court issued a case management ruling imposing deadlines for perfection and response materials on numerous Crown and defence pre-trial motions, including applications under s. 276, Part VIII, Charter ss. 7, 8, 10(b), 11(b), and third-party records requests.

The court held that the matter was far too dated to pause while an outstanding s. 11(b) ruling and a proposed recusal application remained unresolved.

Acting under the Criminal Code case management provisions, the court required the parties to proceed promptly, treated prior adjournment requests as moot, and barred further motions without leave.

The ruling stressed the constitutional obligation of all justice system participants to move criminal proceedings forward efficiently.

The Indigenous offender pleaded guilty to sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching of his nine-year-old step-niece, who lived in his care.

The offences involved grooming, manipulation, and digital penetration, causing profound and ongoing psychological harm to the child.

The court weighed the severe aggravating factors against significant Gladue factors, including intergenerational trauma, FASD, and a history of abuse, as well as the offender's lack of a criminal record and guilty plea.

The court imposed a sentence of two years' imprisonment in addition to time served, followed by two years' probation, along with mandatory ancillary orders including a weapons prohibition with an exception for sustenance hunting.