The accused, charged with serious firearm and drug offences, sought release from custody at a mandatory 90-day detention review under s. 525 of the Criminal Code.
The accused argued that the COVID-19 pandemic and a new release plan constituted a material change in circumstances justifying release.
The court found that the proposed sureties were unsuitable and the release plan was inadequate.
The court concluded that continued detention was justified on both the secondary ground (public safety) and the tertiary ground (maintaining confidence in the administration of justice), despite the risks posed by the pandemic.
