R. v. Cameron (G.E.), 2003 NSSC 229

JudgeMcDougall, J.
CourtSupreme Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
Case DateOctober 22, 2003
JurisdictionNova Scotia
Citations2003 NSSC 229;(2003), 219 N.S.R.(2d) 307 (SC)

R. v. Cameron (G.E.) (2003), 219 N.S.R.(2d) 307 (SC);

 692 A.P.R. 307

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2003] N.S.R.(2d) TBEd. DE.005

Gerry Edward Cameron (appellant) v. Her Majesty the Queen (respondent)

(S.H. 204682; 2003 NSSC 229)

Indexed As: R. v. Cameron (G.E.)

Nova Scotia Supreme Court

McDougall, J.

November 25, 2003.

Summary:

The accused appealed his conviction for driving with an excessive blood-alcohol content.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.

Criminal Law - Topic 1386.4

Motor vehicles - Impaired driving - Roadside screening test - Evidence and proof - An RCMP officer made a breathalyzer demand after the accused failed a roadside screening device test - The breathalyzer test showed excessive blood-alcohol content hence a charge against the accused of driving with excessive blood-alcohol content - After the Crown closed its case, defence counsel realized that it could make a s. 8 Charter argument where the Crown had not led evidence to establish that the roadside screening device used by the RCMP officer was "approved" - The trial judge rejected the s. 8 argument and convicted the accused - There was no evidence to suggest that the RCMP officer either knew that the device was not an approved instrument or that it was not working properly - Based on indirect or circumstantial evidence, the only reasonable conclusion was that the device was an "approved instrument" - The Nova Scotia Supreme Court upheld the conviction - The Crown did not have to prove the make or model of the roadside screening device nor establish that it was an "approved screening device" unless there was some evidence that would suggest otherwise.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Rilling, [1976] 2 S.C.R. 183; 5 N.R. 327; 24 C.C.C.(2d) 81, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Bernshaw (N.), [1995] 1 S.C.R. 254; 176 N.R. 81; 53 B.C.A.C. 1; 87 W.A.C. 1; 95 C.C.C.(3d) 193, consd. [para. 13].

R. v. Kovac (1998), 68 O.T.C. 47 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 18].

R. v. Kutynec (1992), 52 O.A.C. 59; 70 C.C.C.(3d) 289 (C.A.), consd. [para. 18].

R. v. Seymour (1986), 75 N.S.R.(2d) 174; 186 A.P.R. 174 (C.A.), consd. [para. 20].

R. v. Denney (1985), 68 N.S.R.(2d) 88; 159 A.P.R. 88 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Dubois (G.) (2001), 190 N.S.R.(2d) 190; 594 A.P.R. 190 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 21].

R. v. Lebrun (S.R.) (1999), 178 N.S.R.(2d) 388; 549 A.P.R. 388 (S.C.), dist. [para. 22].

Counsel:

Michael Stephen Taylor, for Mr. Cameron;

Allen Gordon Murray, for the Crown.

McDougall, J., of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court heard this appeal on October 22, 2003, and delivered the following decision on November 25, 2003.

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2 practice notes
  • R. v. Neitsch (D.J.), 2006 ABQB 180
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • 16 Febrero 2006
    ...181, refd to. [para. 44]. R. v. Lemieux (1990), 41 O.A.C. 326; 24 M.V.R.(2d) 157 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47]. R. v. Cameron (G.E.) (2003), 219 N.S.R.(2d) 307; 692 A.P.R. 307; 2003 NSSC 229, refd to. [para. R. v. Dhillon (G.S.) (2006), 394 A.R.269; 2006 ABQB 109, dist. [para. 52]. Counsel: T......
  • R. v. Saulnier (N.), 2004 NBQB 344
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
    • 16 Septiembre 2004
    ...C.R.(6th) 386 (Ont. C.J.), refd to. [para. 12]. R. v. Wilson, [2002] O.J. No. 453 (C.J.), refd to. [para. 12]. R. v. Cameron (G.E.) (2003), 219 N.S.R.(2d) 307; 692 A.P.R. 307; 45 M.V.R.(4th) 175 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Sacobie and Polchies (1986), 71 N.B.R.(2d) 430; 182 A.P.R. 430 (C.......
2 cases
  • R. v. Neitsch (D.J.), 2006 ABQB 180
    • Canada
    • Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
    • 16 Febrero 2006
    ...181, refd to. [para. 44]. R. v. Lemieux (1990), 41 O.A.C. 326; 24 M.V.R.(2d) 157 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 47]. R. v. Cameron (G.E.) (2003), 219 N.S.R.(2d) 307; 692 A.P.R. 307; 2003 NSSC 229, refd to. [para. R. v. Dhillon (G.S.) (2006), 394 A.R.269; 2006 ABQB 109, dist. [para. 52]. Counsel: T......
  • R. v. Saulnier (N.), 2004 NBQB 344
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
    • 16 Septiembre 2004
    ...C.R.(6th) 386 (Ont. C.J.), refd to. [para. 12]. R. v. Wilson, [2002] O.J. No. 453 (C.J.), refd to. [para. 12]. R. v. Cameron (G.E.) (2003), 219 N.S.R.(2d) 307; 692 A.P.R. 307; 45 M.V.R.(4th) 175 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Sacobie and Polchies (1986), 71 N.B.R.(2d) 430; 182 A.P.R. 430 (C.......

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