Sentence Watch

Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized

R. v. Sekulich

Crown asked2 years less a day conditional sentence1
Judge imposed2 years less a day conditional sentence (12 months and 12 months less a day consecutive), then 18 months probation1

A conditional sentence is served in the community, usually under house arrest. It counts as no custody here.

What the law allows

Maximum10 years
Crown asked2 years less a day conditional sentence
Judge imposed2 years less a day conditional sentence
Defence asked2 years less a day conditional sentence
For possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order (CC 117.01(1)), the Criminal Code currently allows up to 10 years when the Crown proceeds by indictment, with no mandatory minimum. The sentence imposed is 20% of the maximum. Read the section.

Chad Michael Sekulich pleaded guilty to unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm while under a lifetime prohibition order, after two loaded, unsecured shotguns were found in his home near Nakusp. The Crown and defence jointly proposed a two-years-less-a-day conditional sentence followed by 18 months of probation. Justice Lyster accepted the joint submission, finding it was not so unhinged from the circumstances as to bring the administration of justice into disrepute, and noted two years of compliance with release conditions.

In the judge's words

However, the CSO proposed is not so unhinged from the circumstances of these offences and the circumstances of Mr. Sekulich that its acceptance would lead reasonable and informed persons, aware of all of the relevant circumstances, including the importance of promoting certainty and resolution discussions, to believe that the proper functioning of the justice system has broken down.

1

The record

Prior convictions
Not recorded
At the time of the offence
Not stated1
Defence asked for
2 years less a day conditional sentence1
Appeal
Not yet checked
Counsel
Crown: K. Schecter
Defence: D.J. White

More cases by The Honourable Justice Lindsay M. Lyster

  1. August 5, 2026
    R. v. Cancela, 2026 BCSC 1627Breach of a release order; Possession of a controlled substance; Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking, Castlegar
    • Below the Crown's ask
    • On release at the time
    Two years less a day conditional sentence, then two years probation
  2. August 4, 2026
    R. v. Calderon, 2026 BCSC 1656Arson with disregard for human life; Break and enter a place other than a dwelling-house; Mischief over $5,000, Kaslo
    4 years in custody on the arson count, less 99 days credit; 1 year concurrent on each of the other two counts
  3. July 10, 2026
    R. v. Aragon-Martinez, 2026 BCSC 1304Dangerous operation of a conveyance; Possession of a controlled substance, Nelson
    2 years less a day conditional sentence, then 2 years probation; 4-year driving prohibition plus the CSO term
  4. January 30, 2026
    R. v. Watson, 2026 BCSC 170Impaired operation causing death, Invermere
    • Below the Crown's ask
    2 years less a day imprisonment, then 3 years probation; 3-year driving prohibition

All cases by The Honourable Justice Lindsay M. Lyster (10)

More possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order cases

  1. September 11, 2026
    R. v. Dansereau, 2026 BCSC 1781Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, Rossland. Justice Jacqueline D. Hughes
    5 years in custody (3.5 years firearm, concurrent 24 months drug, plus 1.5 years consecutive for breach of weapons prohibition), less 978 days credit
  2. February 18, 2026
    R. v. J.M.A., 2026 BCSC 377Careless use or storage of a firearm; Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Breach of a probation order; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order; Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, Kelowna. Justice Briana Hardwick
    • Below the Crown's ask
    • On release at the time
    6 years 4 months in custody (5 years 4 months on loaded handgun plus 1 year consecutive for possession while prohibited), less 1,294 days credit
  3. January 16, 2026
    R. v. K.P.J.I.-B., 2026 BCSC 193Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Dangerous operation of a conveyance; Flight from a peace officer; Breach of a release order; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order; Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm, Prince George. Justice John Gibb-Carsley
    • On release at the time
    3.5 years (1,277 days) imprisonment, less 779 days credit for pre-sentence custody; 498 days remaining
  4. January 13, 2026
    R. v. Walczak, 2026 BCSC 167Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized; Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order; Contravention of firearm storage regulations; Possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence; Possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon or prohibited device knowing possession is unauthorized; Possession of explosive substance without lawful excuse, Port Alberni. Justice Robin A. M. Baird
    7 years' imprisonment (global) less 987 days' pre-sentence credit

All possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order cases (28)

More from the Supreme Court of British Columbia

  1. September 18, 2026
    R v Alves, 2026 BCSC 1792Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking; Production of a Schedule I or II substance; Possession of anything for use in producing or trafficking a controlled substance, Maple Ridge. Justice Terence A. Schultes
    3 years' imprisonment on counts 1 and 2 and 2 years on count 3, concurrent
  2. September 15, 2026
    R. v. C.S.M., 2026 BCSC 1770Manslaughter, Coquitlam. Justice David M. Layton
    2 years and 99 days in custody, less 99 days credit (2 years remaining)
  3. September 11, 2026
    R. v. Dansereau, 2026 BCSC 1781Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, Rossland. Justice Jacqueline D. Hughes
    5 years in custody (3.5 years firearm, concurrent 24 months drug, plus 1.5 years consecutive for breach of weapons prohibition), less 978 days credit
  4. September 11, 2026
    R v Stuart, 2026 BCSC 1783Aggravated assault, Vancouver. Justice Elin Sigurdson
    • Below the Crown's ask
    • No jail for a violent offence
    Two years less one day conditional sentence (201 days credited), followed by probation

All cases from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (520)

Sources

  1. R. v. Sekulich, 2024 BCSC 1826 Court decision, CanLII, September 12, 2024[3] The Crown and defence counsel have brought forward a joint submission with respect to the sentence to be imposed on Mr. Sekulich. The submission is that Mr. Sekulich be sentenced to 12 months on Count 4, with 12 months less a day on Count 8, the sentences to run consecutively, for a total sentence of two years less a day. They further jointly submit that the court should impose a conditional sentence order ("CSO") which would mean that Mr. Sekulich would serve his sentence in the community.[3] The Crown and defence counsel have brought forward a joint submission with respect to the sentence to be imposed on Mr. Sekulich. The submission is that Mr. Sekulich be sentenced to 12 months on Count 4, with 12 months less a day on Count 8, the sentences to run consecutively, for a total sentence of two years less a day. They further jointly submit that the court should impose a conditional sentence order ("CSO") which would mean that Mr. Sekulich would serve his sentence in the community.[1] THE COURT: These are my oral reasons for decision with respect to the sentence to be imposed upon Mr. Sekulich. Mr. Sekulich has pleaded guilty to two counts on Information 27171-2.[26] … However, the CSO proposed is not so unhinged from the circumstances of these offences and the circumstances of Mr. Sekulich that its acceptance would lead reasonable and informed persons, aware of all of the relevant circumstances, including the importance of promoting certainty and resolution discussions, to believe that the proper functioning of the justice system has broken down.[28] Mr. Sekulich, I sentence you to 12 months on Count 4 and 12 months less a day on Count 8, the sentences to be served consecutively in the community. That will be followed by a probation term of 18 months.
  2. R. v. Sekulich, 2024 BCSC 1826 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia

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