Majority
English version of the judgment of the Court delivered orally by
La Forest J.
La Forest J. ‑‑ It will not be necessary to hear from you Mr. Denis. The Court is ready to hand down judgment. The judgment will be pronounced by Mr. Justice Gonthier.
Gonthier J.
Gonthier J. -- These are appeals as of right from a decision of the Quebec Court of Appeal quashing stays of proceedings on grounds of unreasonable delay ordered by Tannenbaum J. We are all in agreement with the Court of Appeal's conclusion that in the exceptional circumstances of this case it was open to the prosecution to exercise its discretion to declare a stay of proceedings by way of nolle prosequi and that there were no grounds for the stay of proceedings ordered by Tannenbaum J.
Accordingly, the appeals are dismissed.
Judgment accordingly.
Solicitors for the appellants Laberge and Dufresne: Hébert, Bourque, Montréal.
Solicitors for the appellants Côté, Ratté and Juneau: Barrière, Côté, Girard, Lamarche, Pinard & Rumanek, Montréal.
Solicitor for the appellants Lavigne and Joly: Danielle Roy, Montréal.
Solicitor for the appellant Pasini: Sylvain De Lagrave, Montréal.
Solicitor for the appellant Wasser: Alain Régnier, Montréal.
Solicitors for the appellant Deslongchamps: Melançon, Bertrand & Associés, Laval.
Solicitor for the respondent: Michel Denis, Montréal.