Justice J.P. Condon

The Crown brought an application seeking an order pursuant to section 714.1 of the Criminal Code to permit three police constables to testify remotely by video-link from the Sault Ste.

Marie police station rather than in person at trial.

The accused opposed the application, arguing that in-person testimony was essential given the nature of the charges involving direct physical and verbal interaction between the officers and the accused.

The court granted the application, finding that the video-link technology would not impair the accused's right to a fair trial, that the officers' status as front-line workers exposed to COVID-19 presented a legitimate safety concern, and that suitable safeguards could be implemented to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.

The Children's Aid Society of Algoma brought a motion to determine whether a child born in 2018 is a First Nations child and, if so, whether the child identifies with the Batchewana First Nation.

The motion also sought orders to add the Batchewana First Nation as a party respondent and to transfer conduct of the proceeding to Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services.

The court found that the child is a First Nations child based on the father's self-identification as an Aboriginal person with Batchewana First Nation heritage and his maternal grandfather's Aboriginal ancestry.

The court granted the motion, adding Batchewana First Nation as a respondent party and substituting Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services as the applicant.