R. v. Stewart (M.R.), (1992) 135 A.R. 173 (CA)

• Judge: Fraser, C.J.A., Kerans and Hetherington, JJ.A.
• Court: Court of Appeal (Alberta)
• Case Date: December 15, 1992
• Citations: (1992), 135 A.R. 173 (CA)

R. v. Stewart (M.R.) (1992), 135 A.R. 173 (CA);

    33 W.A.C. 173

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty The Queen (respondent) v. Mark Richard Stewart (accused/appellant)

(Appeal No. 12578)

Indexed As: R. v. Stewart (M.R.)

Alberta Court of Appeal

Fraser, C.J.A., Kerans and

Hetherington, JJ.A.

December 15, 1992.

Summary:

The accused was convicted on two counts of dangerous driving causing death and two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He appealed on the ground that the charging sections were inconsistent with s. 7 of the Charter.

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.

Civil Rights - Topic 768

Liberty - Offences - Absolute liability - Validity - Section 249(1) of the Criminal Code defined dangerous driving as operat­ing a vehicle in a manner that is dangerous to the public having regard to all the cir­cumstances, including the nature, condition and use of that place and the amount of traffic that at the time is or might reason­ably be expected to be on that place - An accused argued that the section did not require an adequate subjective mental element and violated the Charter, s. 7 - The Alberta Court of Appeal held that the section contained a sufficient element of blameworthiness and was not contrary to s. 7 of the Charter - See paragraphs 8 to 15.

Criminal Law - Topic 1393

Motor vehicles - Dangerous driving - Intention or mens rea - [See Civil Rights - Topic 768 ].

Cases Noticed:

R. v. DeSousa (1992), 142 N.R. 1; 56 O.A.C. 109 (S.C.C.), appld. [para. 6].

R. v. D.F. (1989), 100 A.R. 122; 18 M.V.R.(2d) 62 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

R. v. Peda, [1969] S.C.R. 905, refd to. [para. 9].

R. v. Fotti, [1979] 1 W.W.R. 652; 2 Man.R.(2d) 182; 1 M.V.R. 279; 45 C.C.C.(2d) 353 (C.A.), affd. [1980] 1 S.C.R. 589; 31 N.R. 100; 2 Man.R.(2d) 180; [1980] 3 W.W.R. 617; 50 C.C.C.(2d) 479, refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Zappone (1991), 115 A.R. 77; 29 M.V.R.(2d) 260 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Ewart (1989), 100 A.R. 118; 105 A.R. 348 (Supp.); 18 M.V.R.(2d) 55; 53 C.C.C.(3d) 153 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Lowe (1974), 6 O.R.(2d) 585; 21 C.C.C.(2d) 193 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Morin (1992), 142 N.R. 141; 131 A.R. 81; 25 W.A.C. 81 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Vaillancourt, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 636; 81 N.R. 115; 68 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 281; 209 A.P.R. 281; 10 Q.A.C. 161; 39 C.C.C.(3d) 118, refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Wholesale Travel Group Inc. and Chedore, [1991] 3 S.C.R. 154; 130 N.R. 1; 49 O.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Nova Scotia Pharmaceutical Society et al. (No. 2) (1992), 139 N.R. 241; 114 N.S.R.(2d) 91; 313 A.P.R. 91 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Martineau, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 633; 112 N.R. 83; 109 A.R. 321; 58 C.C.C.(3d) 353, refd to. [para. 15].

Reference Re Section 94(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act (B.C.), [1985] 2 S.C.R. 486; 63 N.R. 266; 48 C.R.(3d) 289, refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Smith (E.D.), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1045; 75 N.R. 321; 34 C.C.C.(3d) 97; 58 C.R.(3d) 193; [1987] 5 W.W.R. 1; 40 D.L.R.(4th) 435; 31 C.R.R. 193; 15 B.C.L.R.(2d) 273, refd to. [para. 15].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 7 [para. 1].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 249(1) [para. 2]; sect. 249(3), sect. 249(4) [para. 3].

Counsel:

Lorne W. Scott, Q.C., for the appellant;

Earl C. Wilson, Q.C., for the respondent.

This appeal was heard before Fraser, C.J.A., Kerans and Hetherington, JJ.A., of the Alberta Court of Appeal. On December 15, 1992, Kerans, J.A., delivered the follow­ing judgment for the court.