R. Sherman

This sentencing decision addresses the serious offence of trafficking fentanyl, highlighting the gravity of the crime and the moral blameworthiness of the offender, Jason Gallant, who pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking fentanyl in 2023.

The court emphasizes the national crisis posed by fentanyl abuse and the necessity for denunciation and deterrence in sentencing.

Despite mitigating factors such as the offender's addiction, prior rehabilitation efforts, and health issues, the court imposes a two-year penitentiary sentence, underscoring the repeated nature of the offences, trafficking for profit, and the offender's concerning attitude towards the harm caused by fentanyl trafficking.

The Crown applied to have Thomas Snowden declared a dangerous offender or, alternatively, a long-term offender, following his guilty pleas to multiple child pornography and breach of recognizance charges.

The court denied both dangerous offender and long-term offender designations, finding that the predicate offences did not meet the definition of a serious personal injury offence (SPIO) as there was no direct causal connection between Snowden's actions (possession/distribution of child pornography) and the severe psychological damage suffered by the victims, which largely stemmed from the original abuse.

The court also found no substantial risk of violent re-offending, which is required for a long-term offender designation.

Snowden was sentenced to a determinate sentence of 5 years, with 3 years credit for pre-sentence custody, resulting in 2 years in penitentiary.