MONCTON, N.B. — A hearing on alleged violations of the Canada Labour Code by the RCMP related to the force's response to a deadly shooting rampage last year in Moncton, N.B., has been adjourned until next year.
Federal Crown Prosecutor Paul Adams told the court Thursday the defence wants to provide the Crown with more information.
Provincial court Judge Troy Sweet adjourned the matter until Jan. 22, but noted the case had been delayed since July.
Employment and Social Development Canada alleges there were four violations of the code relating to the force's equipment, training and supervision in the June 4, 2014 incident that terrorized the New Brunswick city and resulted in the deaths of three Mounties.
Justin Bourque murdered constables Doug Larche, Fabrice Gevaudan and Dave Ross, and constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded in the city's north end.
Bourque was captured following a 30-hour manhunt.
An RCMP review of the shootings said officers responding to the shootings faced a litany of problems that included communicating accurate information, accessing high-powered weaponry and securing protective equipment.
In May of this year, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada recommended the RCMP be prosecuted for contravention of the occupational health and safety provisions of Part II of the Canada Labour Code.
The charges allege the RCMP failed to provide members with appropriate equipment, information, instruction and training in an active shooter event, and failed to provide supervisors with appropriate information and instruction or training in an active shooter event.
A final charge alleges the force failed to ensure in general, the health and safety of its members.
Bourque was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 75 years last October after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Bourque has a new lawyer who is planning an appeal of the sentence.
