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26703

Marty Lorraine Morrisey v. Her Majesty the Queen

(Nova Scotia) (Criminal) (By Leave)

Docket

Judgments on applications for leave to appeal are rendered by the Court, but are not necessarily unanimous.

List of proceedings
Date Proceeding Filed By
(if applicable)
2000-12-04 Record returned to the Registrar of the Court of Appeal
2000-10-23 Appeal closed
2000-10-23 Formal judgment sent to the registrar of the court of appeal and all parties
2000-10-04 Copy of formal judgment being prepared
2000-10-02 Notice of deposit of judgment sent to all parties
2000-09-29 Judgment on the appeal rendered, G McL Ia Ma Ba Bi Arb, The appeal is dismissed on the constitutional questions. The four-year minimum sentence for criminal negligence causing death while using a firearm does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The Court of Appeal's judgment is affirmed on this ground. However, the trial judge's order relating to pretrial custody is restored. The appellant is sentenced to three years' imprisonment for the offence under s. 220(a) of the Criminal Code, established after taking into account the five months' pre-trial custody. The constitutional questions are answered as follows:

(1) Does s. 220(a) of the Criminal Code infringe the right in s. 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment in that it establishes a minimum sentence of four years' imprisonment for the offence of criminal negligence causing death when a firearm is used in the commission of that offence?

Answer: No. McLachlin and Arbour JJ. would answer no, but only for this offender in the particular circumstances of this case.

(2) If the answer to the first question is yes, is the infringement demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society as a reasonable limit pursuant to s. 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Answer: Given the answer to the first constitutional question, it is unnecessary to answer this question.
Dismissed, no order as to costs
1999-12-23 Transcript received, and distributed to the justices (55 pages)
1999-12-09 Hearing of the appeal, 1999-12-09, G McL Ia Ma Ba Bi Arb
Judgment reserved
1999-12-07 Correspondence received from, Burke-Robertson dated Dec. 7/99 re: enclosing letter from A.G. of British Columbia and a decision from the Supreme Court of B.C. (sent to panel Dec. 8/99) Attorney General of British Columbia
1999-12-06 Notice of appearance, of Geoffrey Gaul Attorney General of British Columbia
1999-12-01 Notice of appearance, (fax copy) Attorney General of Canada
1999-11-30 Notice of appearance, (fax copy) Attorney General for Ontario
1999-11-26 Order on motion to extend time
1999-11-26 Decision on motion to extend time, Reg, to serve & file the factum and book of authorities of the intervener Attorney General of Manitoba to Nov. 16/99, nunc pro tunc.
Granted, no order as to costs
1999-11-26 Submission of motion to extend time, Reg
1999-11-24 Response to motion to extend time, (Letter Form), from S. Grace dated Nov. 23, 1999 (fax copy), Completed on: 1999-11-24 Her Majesty the Queen
1999-11-22 Notice of withdrawal Attorney General for Saskatchewan
1999-11-17 Motion to extend time, to file their factum to Nov. 16, 1999 - 2 copies (served copy received Nov. 18/99), Completed on: 1999-11-18 Attorney General of Manitoba
1999-11-16 Book of authorities, 11 copies (extension of time requested), Completed on: 1999-11-16 Attorney General of Manitoba
1999-11-16 Intervener's factum, 23 copies (extension of time requested), Completed on: 1999-11-30 Attorney General of Manitoba
1999-11-01 Decision on motion to extend time, Reg, to serve & file the book of authorities of the intervener Attorney General of Ontario to Oct. 20/99.
Granted, no order as to costs
1999-11-01 Submission of motion to extend time, Reg
1999-10-22 Response to motion to extend time, from S.J. Grace dated Oct. 22/99 (by fax) to A.G. Ontario's motion to file Authorities (original rec. Oct. 29/99), Completed on: 1999-10-22 Her Majesty the Queen
1999-10-21 Motion to extend time, (Letter Form), to serve and file their Authorities to Oct. 20/99, Completed on: 1999-10-21 Attorney General for Ontario
1999-10-20 Book of authorities, Completed on: 1999-10-20 Attorney General for Ontario
1999-10-20 Order on motion to extend time
1999-10-14 Decision on motion to extend time, Reg, to serve & file the factum of the intervener A.G. - Ontario to Oct. 6/99.
Granted, no order as to costs
1999-10-14 Submission of motion to extend time, Reg
1999-10-06 Motion to extend time, (Letter Form), to file their Factum to Oct. 6/99, Completed on: 1999-10-06 Attorney General for Ontario
1999-10-06 Intervener's factum, Completed on: 1999-10-06 Attorney General for Ontario
1999-09-20 Appeal hearing scheduled, 1999-12-09
Judgment reserved
1999-07-13 Order on motion to extend time
1999-07-08 Decision on motion to extend time, DeRg, to serve & file the factum of the intervener Attorney General of Canada to June 25/99.
Granted, no order as to costs
1999-07-08 Submission of motion to extend time, DeRg
1999-06-29 Response to motion to extend time, (Letter Form), letter by fax from Malcolm S. Jeffcock dated June 29/99 re: has no objection to the extension to A.G. Canada, Completed on: 1999-06-29 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1999-06-25 Motion to extend time, to file the factum and authorities to June 25, 1999, Completed on: 1999-06-25 Attorney General of Canada
1999-06-25 Book of authorities, Completed on: 1999-06-25 Attorney General of Canada
1999-06-25 Intervener's factum, Completed on: 1999-06-25 Attorney General of Canada
1999-06-02 Correspondence received from, Beament, Green; re: that the appeal be scheduled for November or December 1999 Her Majesty the Queen
1999-05-28 Book of authorities, (13 copies), Completed on: 1999-05-31 Attorney General of British Columbia
1999-05-28 Intervener's factum, (25 copies), Completed on: 1999-05-28 Attorney General of British Columbia
1999-05-05 Respondent's book of authorities, Completed on: 1999-05-05 Her Majesty the Queen
1999-04-28 Appeal court record, 1 accordion file
1999-04-28 Respondent's factum, Completed on: 1999-04-28 Her Majesty the Queen
1999-04-27 Appeal perfected for hearing, Session beginning on 1999-10-04
1999-04-22 Correspondence received from, M. Jeffcock to Registrar of the Court of Appeal dated April 22, 1999 (fax copy) re: requesting that the Court of Appeal Book be forward to the S.C. Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1999-03-12 Order on miscellaneous motion
1999-03-12 Decision on miscellaneous motion, Reg, to accept respondent's record as printed
Granted, no order as to costs
1999-03-12 Submission of miscellaneous motion, to accept respondent's record as printed, Reg
1999-03-04 Notice of miscellaneous motion, to accept the Respondent's Record facing up on the right rather than on the left, Completed on: 1999-03-04 Her Majesty the Queen
1999-03-03 Appellant's book of authorities, Completed on: 1999-03-03 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1999-03-02 Appellant's factum, Completed on: 1999-03-02 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1999-03-01 Notice of intervention respecting a constitutional question Attorney General for Saskatchewan
1999-02-19 Notice of intervention respecting a constitutional question Attorney General of Manitoba
1999-02-18 Notice of intervention respecting a constitutional question Attorney General of Canada
1999-02-17 Notice of intervention respecting a constitutional question Attorney General of British Columbia
1999-02-12 Respondent's record, (motion to accept in its present form namely on the right requested)(Part IV: Certificate of Counsel requested and
received March 5/99), Completed on: 1999-02-12
Her Majesty the Queen
1999-02-03 Notice of constitutional question(s) Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1999-02-03 Notice of intervention respecting a constitutional question Attorney General for Ontario
1999-01-28 Order on motion to state a constitutional question
1999-01-26 Decision on the motion to state a constitutional question, the motion by the appellant for an order stating constitutional questions is granted (for questions see file). Notices of intention to intervene are to be filed no later than March 2/99, CJ, (saved in long judgment)
Granted, no order as to costs
1999-01-19 Response to the motion to state a constitutional question, (Letter Form), (fax copy), Completed on: 1999-01-19 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1999-01-05 Submission of motion to state a constitutional question, CJ
1998-12-29 Response to the motion to state a constitutional question, (Letter Form), Completed on: 1998-12-29 Her Majesty the Queen
1998-12-17 Appellant's record, (vol. 1 and 2), Completed on: 1998-12-17 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-12-17 Motion to state a constitutional question, Completed on: 1998-12-17 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-11-23 Correspondence received from, M. Jeffcock to CJ, letter dated Nov. 23, 1998 (fax copy) re: constitutional questions (original received on Nov. 26, 1998) Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-11-06 Correspondence (sent by the Court) to, sent to A.G. of N.S. and Nova Scotia Legal Aid, enclosing copy of Rule 32
1998-11-02 Notice of appeal, Completed on: 1998-11-02 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-10-13 Order granting leave to appeal
1998-10-09 Notice of deposit of judgment issued to all parties, all parties
1998-10-08 Judgment of the Court on the application for leave to appeal, CJ McL Ia, The application for leave to appeal is granted.
Granted, no order as to costs
1998-07-27 All materials on application for leave submitted to the Judges, CJ McL Ia
1998-06-24 Correspondence received from, from M.S. Jeffcock; re: T.C. Order (TO BE DISTRIBUTED) Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-06-24 General proceeding, 5 copies of C.A. Order (TO BE DISTRIBUTED) Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-06-24 Respondent's response on the application for leave to appeal, 5 copies, with service, Completed on: 1998-06-24 Her Majesty the Queen
1998-06-16 Correspondence received from, sent to Burke-Robertson and Beament Green Dust re: receipt of application for leave to appeal
1998-05-25 $50.00 filing fee, receipt #30659 Marty Lorraine Morrisey
1998-05-25 Application for leave to appeal, 5 copies (missing T.C. and C.A. Order), with service, Completed on: 1998-06-24 Marty Lorraine Morrisey

Parties

Please note that in the case of closed files, the “Status” column reflects the status of the parties at the time of the proceedings. For more information about the proceedings and about the dates when the file was open, please consult the docket of the case in question.

Main parties

Main parties - Appellants
Name Role Status
Morrisey, Marty Lorraine Appellant Active

v.

Main parties - Respondents
Name Role Status
Her Majesty the Queen Respondent Active

Other parties

Other parties
Name Role Status
Attorney General for Ontario Intervener Active
Attorney General of Manitoba Intervener Active
Attorney General of British Columbia Intervener Active
Attorney General of Canada Intervener Active

Counsel

Party: Morrisey, Marty Lorraine

Counsel
Name
Malcolm S. Jeffcock
Contact information
Nova Scotia Legal Aid
537 Prince Street
Truro, Nova Scotia
B2N 1E8
Telephone: (902) 893-5920
FAX: (902) 893-6112
Agent
Name
Robert E. Houston, Q.C.
Contact information
Burke-Robertson
70 Gloucester Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0A2
Telephone: (613) 566-2058
FAX: (613) 235-4430
Email: rhouston@burkerobertson.com

Party: Her Majesty the Queen

Counsel
Names
Kenneth W.F. Fiske, Q.C.
Denise C. Smith
Contact information
Attorney General of Nova Scotia
Maritime Centre, Suite 1225
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3K5
Telephone: (902) 424-6794
FAX: (902) 424-0653
Agent
Name
Stephen J. Grace
Contact information
Beament, Green, Dust
47 Clarence St
Suite 204
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 9K1
Telephone: (613) 241-3400
FAX: (613) 241-8555

Party: Attorney General for Ontario

Counsel
Name
David Finley
Contact information
Attorney General of Ontario
720 Bay Street
10th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2K1
Telephone: (416) 326-4587
FAX: (416) 326-4656
Email: david.finley@ontario.ca
Agent
Name
Robert E. Houston, Q.C.
Contact information
Burke-Robertson
70 Gloucester Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0A2
Telephone: (613) 566-2058
FAX: (613) 235-4430
Email: rhouston@burkerobertson.com

Party: Attorney General of Manitoba

Counsel
Name
Deborah L. Carlson
Contact information
Attorney General of Manitoba
1205 - 405 Broadway Ave
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 3L6
Telephone: (204) 229-0679
FAX: (204) 945-0053
Email: Deborah.Carlson@gov.mb.ca
Agent
Name
Henry S. Brown, Q.C.
Contact information
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
2600 - 160 Elgin St
P.O. Box 466, Stn "D"
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C3
Telephone: (613) 233-1781
FAX: (613) 788-3433
Email: henry.brown@gowlings.com

Party: Attorney General of British Columbia

Counsel
Names
Peter W. Ewert, Q.C.
Geoffrey R. Gaul
Contact information
Attorney General of British Columbia
1001 Douglas St
9th Floor
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 1X4
Telephone: (250) 387-3840
FAX: (250) 387-0090
Agent
Name
Robert E. Houston, Q.C.
Contact information
Burke-Robertson
70 Gloucester Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0A2
Telephone: (613) 566-2058
FAX: (613) 235-4430
Email: rhouston@burkerobertson.com

Party: Attorney General of Canada

Counsel
Names
Graham R. Garton, Q.C.
Gordon S. Campbell
Ted K. Tax
Contact information
Attorney General of Canada
234 Wellington Street
East Tower, Room 1212
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H8
Telephone: (613) 957-4842
FAX: (613) 954-1920
Email: ggarton@justice.gc.ca

Summary

Keywords

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Summary

Case summaries are prepared by the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (Law Branch). Please note that summaries are not provided to the Judges of the Court. They are placed on the Court file and website for information purposes only.

None.

Lower court rulings

September 11, 1996
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, Trial Division

06774

Conviction: criminal negligence causing death; unlawfully pointing a firearm

March 23, 1998
Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

141429

Sentence appeal allowed

Filed documents

The memorandums of argument on an application for leave to appeal will be posted here 30 days after leave to appeal has been granted unless they contain personal information, information that is subject to a publication ban, or any other information that is not part of the public record. You may also obtain copies of the memorandum by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.

If you have questions about a memorandum of argument or want to use a memorandum of argument, please contact the author of the memorandum of argument directly. Their name appears at the end of the memorandum of argument. The contact information for counsel is found in the “Counsel” tab of this page.

Downloadable PDFs

Not available

The factums of the appellant, the respondent and the intervener will be posted here at least 2 weeks before the hearing unless they contain personal information, information that is subject to a publication ban, or any other information that is not part of the public record. You may also obtain copies of factums by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.

If you have questions about a factum or want permission to use a factum, please contact the author of the factum directly. Their contact information appears on the first page of each factum.

Downloadable PDFs

Not available

The condensed books of the appellant, the respondent and the intervener will be posted here upon receipt of the electronic version, 2 days prior to the scheduled appeal hearing. You may also obtain copies of condensed books by filling out the Request for Court records form or by contacting the Court’s Records Centre either by email at records-dossiers@scc-csc.ca or by telephone at 613‑996‑7933 or at 1‑888‑551‑1185.

If you have questions about a condensed book or want permission to use a condensed book, please contact the author of the condensed book directly. Their contact information appears on the first page of each condensed book.

Downloadable PDFs

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Webcasts

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Date modified: 2025-05-13