RCMP court case on labour code charges arising from Moncton shootings delayed

Alleged violations related to equipment, training, supervision

MONCTON, N.B. (CP) — The Crown and defence have asked for more time to prepare a case on alleged Canada Labour Code violations by the RCMP related to the force's response to a June 2014 shooting rampage in Moncton, N.B.

Defence lawyer Mark Ertel told the court that the defence has given the Crown a list of changes to the statement of facts and both sides need time in an effort to narrow the issues in the complex case.

Employment and Social Development Canada alleges there were four violations of the code relating to the force's equipment, training and supervision in the June 4, 2014 incident that resulted in the deaths of three Mounties.

Justin Bourque shot and killed constables Doug Larche, Fabrice Gevaudan and Dave Ross, while constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded.

Bourque was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Last May the Public Prosecution Service of Canada recommended the RCMP be prosecuted for contravention of occupational health and safety provisions.

The defence has elected to have the case tried in provincial court and a pretrial conference is set for April 7.

Ertel says a plea will be entered on April 7 and a trial date will be set.

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