It was another brief court appearance in connection to the oil spill-related charges against Husky Energy.
Crown and defence lawyers made their appearances by phone Thursday before Judge Kim Young in Lloydminster, who agreed to a joint request for a further adjournment.
The judge agreed to set Nov. 22 as the next court date in the case, at 10 a.m. in Lloydminster Provincial Court.
This was Husky’s third court appearance to date in connection to this case, stemming from the July 2016 spill from Husky’s Maidstone-area pipeline into the North Saskatchewan River.
Both Husky Energy Inc. and Husky Oil Operations Ltd. face eight counts each under the federal Fisheries Act, and one count each under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. Husky Oil Operations also faces one count under the province’s Environmental Management and Protection Act.
Until now the case has been in the disclosure phase, with the Crown providing defence counsel with what had been described by provincial Crown prosecutor Matthew Miazga as “tens of thousands of documents” in the case.
The first court appearance on the charges was back on March 29. A second adjournment was granted June 21 to allow for further disclosure in the case.
At this latest court appearance, federal Crown prosecutor Carol Carlson, who also appeared as agent for Miazga, indicated it was her understanding the defence had been diligently working through the disclosure materials.
Brad Gilmour, appearing for Husky, confirmed that since their last appearance they had received additional disclosure on July 10.
It was an “extensive amount” said Gilmour, who noted it involves expert reports.
Gilmour also indicated there had been several discussions with the federal and provincial Crown, and added this “will ultimately lead to a more efficient process for the Court.”
