R. v. Sproule, (1987) 81 N.S.R.(2d) 308 (CoCt)

• Case Date: April 09, 1987
• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Citations: (1987), 81 N.S.R.(2d) 308 (CoCt)

R. v. Sproule (1987), 81 N.S.R.(2d) 308 (CoCt);

    203 A.P.R. 308

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Calvin W. Sproule

(No. CY4270)

Indexed As: R. v. Sproule

Nova Scotia County Court

District Number Three

Haliburton, J.C.C.

September 28, 1987.

Summary:

The accused was charged with failure to furnish a true return of fish caught contrary to s. 48 of the Fisheries Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. F-14. The trial judge acquitted the accused on the ground that the return was not admissible, because the accused had not been advised of his right to counsel. The Crown appealed.

The Nova Scotia County Court allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial. The court held that the accused upon being asked to furnish a return was not detained and was not entitled to counsel.

Civil Rights - Topic 3604

Detention and imprisonment - Detention - What constitutes - The Nova Scotia County Court held that a fishing captain, who was asked by a fisheries officer to submit a return on the quantity of his catch under s. 48 of the Fisheries Act, was not detained and was not entitled to counsel - The court stated that it was irrelevant whether he would or might have been arrested if he refused.

Civil Rights - Topic 4613

Right to counsel - Requirement of arrest or detention - [See Civil Rights - Topic 3604 above].

Fish and Game - Topic 2167

Fishing offences - Particular offences - Failure to furnish return of catch - [See Civil Rights - Topic 3604 above].

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Therens, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 613; 59 N.R. 122; 40 Sask.R. 122; [1985] 4 W.W.R. 286; 45 C.R.(3d) 97; 18 C.C.C. (3d) 481; 18 D.L.R.(4th) 655; 32 M.V.R. 153, consd. [para. 12].

R. v. Talbourdet (1984), 32 Sask.R. 5; 12 C.C.C.(3d) 173, consd. [para. 12].

R. v. Drapeau (1985), 70 N.S.R.(2d) 187; 166 A.P.R. 187; 48 C.R.(3d) 185, consd. [para. 13].

R. v. LePage (1986), 75 N.S.R.(2d) 322; 186 A.P.R. 322, consd. [para. 13].

R. v. Gough (1985), 70 N.S.R.(2d) 192; 166 A.P.R. 192, appld. [para. 15].

R. v. J.M.G. (1986), 17 O.A.C. 107; 29 C.C.C.(3d) 455, consd. [para. 19].

R. v. MacLean (1987), 79 N.S.R.(2d) 231; 196 A.P.R. 231 (C.A.), consd. [para. 22].

R. v. Amos (1982), 8 W.C.B. 183, consd. [para. 23].

R. v. Smith (1986), 38 Man.R.(2d) 184; 25 C.C.C.(3d) 361, consd. [para. 23].

R. v. Bazinet (1986), 14 O.A.C. 15; 25 C.C.C.(3d) 273, consd. [para. 23].

R. v. Chromiak, [1980] 1 S.C.R. 471; 29 N.R. 441; 49 C.C.C.(2d) 257, consd. [para. 26].

Brownridge v. R., [1972] S.C.R. 926, consd. [para. 32].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 10(b).

Fisheries Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. F-14, sect. 48.

Counsel:

Andrew S. Nickerson, for the appellant;

S. Clifford Hood, Q.C., for the respondent.

This case was heard on April 9, 1987, at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, before Haliburton, J.C.C., of the Nova Scotia County Court, District Number Three, who delivered the following judgment on September 28, 1987: