Husky Energy Inc. returned to North Battleford Provincial Court Tuesday, for charges related to the July 2016 oil leak near Maidstone which impacted the North Saskatchewan River. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

By Angela Brown

In the courts

Husky case returning to Lloydminster court in June for plea

May 14, 2019 | 5:08 PM

The case involving Husky Energy Inc. will be moving back to Lloydminster Provincial Court in June for plea, now that case management conferences have concluded at North Battleford Provincial Court.

The decision followed over two hours of in camera discussions amongst provincial Crown prosecutor Matthew Miazga, federal Crown prosecutors Carol Carlson and Stephen Jordan, and Husky’s defence counsel Brad Gilmour in North Battleford provincial court Tuesday.

Judge Lorna Dyck said during open court that Tuesday’s in camera case management conference was a productive one.

“I appreciate there is a significant amount of detail that’s involved in this particular file,” she said, adding she doesn’t anticipate a need for an additional case management conference at this point.

Missing person

Battlefords RCMP seeking help in locating missing teen

May 18, 2024

World Championships

Power, Cozens lead Canada to 5-3 win over Finland at hockey worlds

May 18, 2024

Starbucks Coming

Starbucks is coming to North Battleford

May 17, 2024

Judge Dyck said Husky will be required to enter pleas for both provincial and federal charges relating to the July 2016 incident near Maidstone.

The Calgary-based oil and gas producer is facing several provincial and federal charges relating to the release of 225,000 litres of diluted heavy oil from a pipeline near Maidstone in July 2016. About 40 per cent of that oil went into the North Saskatchewan River, affecting water intakes in the cities of North Battleford, Prince Albert and Melfort.

Outside of court, Miazga noted it will be determined in June whether the case will be able to be resolved or whether it will need to go to trial.

“The management conferences were designed in an attempt to resolve the case. But when it comes to criminal cases, until that date comes you never know for sure what is going to happen,” he said. “I think it is the goal of everybody and the hope of everybody the case will be resolved without a trial, but we won’t know that for sure until June 12.”

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow