GORE BAY—A court date for the trial of a Green Bay farmer charged with shooting a Canada goose (that had been destroying his farms crops and field) without a permit and leaving it in his field has now been set.
Dan Williams, legal counsel for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) told Justice Darlene Hayden at an Ontario Provincial Offences Act (POA) court hearing last week, “we are here today to confirm the trial dates. Mr. (Ed) Ferguson, legal counsel for Mr. (Paul) Skippen, is also in attendance here today.”
The previous trial dates for the case had been set for July 25-27, court was told.
Mr. Williams told court, “I’ve had telephone and email conversations with Mr. Ferguson. We were not able to agree on the facts except for the DNA evidence on the goose that was shot.” As well, he told court that the Crown had provided all disclosure except for four photographs in regards to the area where the goose was harvested.
Justice Hayden noted that, “the matter had been set to July 25-27.” However, “last time you (Mr. Ferguson) indicated that you might not be available on July 27 because of a medical appointment.”
Mr. Ferguson confirmed that he has a problem with the July 27 date that had been set. However, he also noted that he felt the case could be heard within the first two days set for the trial.
“I agree with Mr. Ferguson that two days will probably be sufficient for the court case (to be completed),” said Mr. Williams.
“If the case is not completed on July 25-26 and another date is needed, we could set it at the time,” said Ms. Hayden. She asked both legal counsels if further pre-trial motions needed to be brought forward and both legal counsels indicated no further motions are required.
In July 2015 Mr. Skippen was charged with four counts after shooting a Canada goose without a permit and leaving it in his field; unlawfully hunting a migratory bird outside the open season; failing to immediately make every reasonable effort to retrieve a migratory bird; unlawfully discharging a firearm in the travelled portion of a right of way for public vehicular traffic; and knowingly making a false statement to a conservation office. Mr. Skippen is challenging all of the charges in court.
The trial date has been set for July 25-26 in Gore Bay.
