Brady Robertson was sentenced for four counts of dangerous driving causing death, four counts of causing death while having excess THC in his blood, and one count of dangerous driving from an earlier incident.
The Crown sought a 23-year jail sentence, while the defence proposed 7 years.
The court considered aggravating factors including the profound victim impact (four deaths, including three children), the offender's extensive and irresponsible driving record, egregious driving conduct on two separate occasions (including fleeing police and driving with suspended licenses and no insurance), and drug consumption (THC and flubromazolan) while driving.
Mitigating factors included the offender's youth (20 years old at the time of offences), lack of an adult criminal record, guilty pleas to some charges, expressed remorse, and harsh pre-trial custody conditions exacerbated by the pandemic.
Applying sentencing principles of denunciation, deterrence, proportionality, and parity, and considering Gladue principles due to the offender's Indigenous ancestry, the court imposed a sentence of 17 years imprisonment.
After deducting 34 months for pre-trial custody, the remaining sentence is 14 years and 2 months.
A 34-year driving prohibition and an in-custody DNA order were also imposed.
The court declined to order delayed parole eligibility, finding no demonstrated need for additional punishment beyond the significant penitentiary term.
