C.M. Shoniker

The defendant was charged with two offences under the Child Care and Early Years Act: (1) operating a home childcare with more than the allowable number of children, and (2) obstructing Ministry inspectors in the completion of an inspection.

The trial examined the circumstances of an unannounced inspection on January 24, 2017, and a subsequent search warrant execution on January 26, 2017.

The court found that the Ministry failed to prove either charge beyond a reasonable doubt and dismissed both counts.

The judgment critically examined the conduct of the Ministry inspectors and enforcement officers, including issues with the credibility of witness testimony, the lack of documentary evidence, and significant procedural breaches in the execution of the search warrant.

The defendant was charged with careless driving, turn not in safety, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and failing to report an accident arising from a motor vehicle collision on July 26, 2015, on Kingston Road in Toronto.

The collision involved the defendant's Pontiac van, a Yamaha motorcycle operated by George Christodoulou (who died), and a Chevrolet operated by Valerie Coates.

The court found that the defendant exercised due diligence in determining he was not involved in the accident, that his turn was made safely and with appropriate care, and that he did not drive carelessly.

The defendant was acquitted on all charges.

The defendant, a TTC bus driver, was charged with careless driving under section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act for striking a 90-year-old pedestrian who was jaywalking at an unmarked crossing near a curved T-intersection.

The Crown argued the defendant failed to stop long enough at the stop signs before making a left turn.

The defendant testified he exercised due diligence, stopped briefly to look in all directions, and did not see the pedestrian who was obscured by the bus's structural blind spot, dark clothing against a dark building backdrop, and the complex geometry of the intersection.

The court found the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant drove carelessly, considering all circumstances including the pedestrian's jaywalking, unfamiliarity with the area, and the challenging intersection design.

The defendant was charged with two counts under the Residential Tenancies Act: knowingly threatening or interfering with a tenant to induce her to vacate, and knowingly interfering with the tenant's reasonable enjoyment of the premises.

The tenant complained of water damage, mould, pest infestations, and power interruptions during her tenancy.

The court found that the defendant's letter demanding the tenant vacate was a demand letter rather than a threat, and dismissed the first count.

However, the court found the defendant guilty of the second count, determining that the ongoing water damage problem constituted an interference with reasonable enjoyment, and that the defendant failed to exercise due diligence in addressing the issue despite knowing it persisted.

The accused brought an application for judicial interim release (bail) following his arrest in connection with Project Harrington, a multi-police force investigation into large-scale cocaine importation into eastern Canada.

The accused faced multiple charges including conspiracy to import and trafficking in cocaine, with an alleged role as a facilitator who made introductions and coordinated between participants.

The court found substantial concerns under the primary, secondary, and tertiary grounds for detention.

The proposed release plan, consisting of house arrest with the accused's mother as sole surety and electronic bracelet monitoring, was found to be deficient and inadequate to address the court's concerns.

The application for bail was denied.