RCMP Plead Not Guilty To Labour Code Violation Charges; Trial Date Set For April 2017

The RCMP is pleading not guilty to four charges of violating the Canada Labour Code.

This case stems from the June 4th 2014 shooting, which alleges the RCMP didn’t prepare their officers sufficiently.

Defense lawyer Mark Ertel was asked if the not guilty plea was a negotiating tactic.

“Even if it was I wouldn’t be able to comment on that, you know, the matter is before the courts now,” says Ertel. “A not guilty plea has been entered and that means the matter is proceeding to trial and we’ve set a date for trial.”

The trial date is set for April 17th of 2017, and is expected to last three to four months.

When asked about the results of the early 2015 MacNeil Report, which outlined how the RCMP could have been better prepared, Ertel responded saying “I can’t comment at the evidence that will be called at the trial but the RCMP has entered a plea of not guilty, and the burden will be on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Ertel adds there’s a case conference meeting on January 6th to focus the issues for trial.

“Perhaps some things could be admitted, maybe to streamline the procedure, and to fine tune the estimate, which is now about three months,” says Ertel. “And it’s possible it could be shortened if we can come to gether on some parts of the case.”

These charges were laid in connection with a shooting incident on June 4th, 2014, that left three officers dead and two others injured and they relate to alleged violations of the force’s equipment, training and supervision.

Constables Doug Larche, Fabrice Gevaudan and Dave Ross were killed  and Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were injured.