Dr. Robert McMaster

Edward Raymond Gibbins pleaded guilty to uttering threats, confining individuals, careless use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm with recklessness.

The incident involved him confronting victims with a shotgun over a property dispute, threatening them, and firing the weapon.

The Crown sought a four-year custodial sentence, while the Defence proposed a conditional sentence.

The court considered the gravity of the offences, the accused's moral culpability (including alcohol influence and lack of prior record), and mitigating/aggravating factors.

The judge emphasized denunciation and deterrence for firearm offences, ultimately imposing a custodial sentence.

The parties separated after a 23-year marriage and engaged in a high-conflict custody dispute over their two children, one of whom has severe special needs.

The applicant mother sought joint custody and an equal time-sharing schedule, while the respondent father sought sole decision-making authority and primary residence for the special needs child during the school week.

The court found that the mother was unable to co-parent effectively, communicate with professionals, or prioritize the children's needs over her animosity toward the father.

The court granted sole decision-making authority to the father, ordered primary residence with the father for the special needs child during the school week to ensure consistency, and ordered an equal time-sharing schedule for the younger child.

The father's request to wind up a family trust was dismissed without prejudice due to procedural issues.

The offender was convicted of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking after 6.79 grams of a fentanyl/heroin mix was found on his person.

The Crown sought a sentence of 4.5 years, while the defence sought time served of 3.5 years.

The court considered the offender's difficult background, schizophrenia, and status as an addict trafficker, alongside the highly dangerous nature of fentanyl.

The court imposed a sentence of 3.5 years (credited as time served) followed by 2 years of probation with strict conditions to address his mental health and addiction issues.

The Crown applied to have the offender designated as a dangerous offender and sentenced to an indeterminate term following his guilty plea to aggravated assault for an unprovoked stabbing of a stranger.

The court considered extensive psychiatric evidence and a Gladue report detailing the offender's traumatic childhood, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

The court found that while the offender posed a high risk of violent re-offending, the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his violent conduct was intractable, noting his recent improvements and the impact of Gladue factors.

The court dismissed the dangerous offender application, designated the offender as a long term offender, and sentenced him to 7.5 years in prison followed by a 10-year Long Term Supervision Order.