Sentence Watch

Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm

R. v. Bujold

Crown asked2 years in custody1
Judge imposed24 months custody less 357 days credit (373 days left to serve), then 12 months probation; 10-year weapons prohibition1

What the law allows

Maximum10 years
Crown asked2 years in custody
Judge imposed2 years in custody
Defence asked2 years in custody
For occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm (CC 94(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.

Jesse Bujold pleaded guilty to occupying a vehicle knowing there was a restricted firearm in it, after a January 2025 police chase near Dawson Creek during which a shotgun was fired from the truck at a police vehicle; he was not sentenced as the driver or the shooter. Crown and defence jointly proposed 24 months in custody, less time served, followed by 12 months of probation. Justice Doyle accepted the joint submission, finding it not contrary to the public interest, and imposed 24 months (730 days) less 357 days of pre-sentence credit, then 12 months of probation and a 10-year weapons prohibition.

In the judge's words

In the circumstances before me, I do not see any reason that this will be contrary to the public interest (R. v. Anthony‑Cook, 2016 SCC 43). I accept the joint submission of counsel. This is an appropriate disposition and will meet the principles of sentencing pursuant to s. 718, in particular, of the Criminal Code.

1

The record

Prior convictions
Not recorded
At the time of the offence
Not stated1
Defence asked for
2 years in custody1
Appeal
Not yet checked
Counsel
Crown: G.R. Wool
Defence: D. McNamee

More cases by The Honourable Justice Joseph M. Doyle

  1. October 22, 2024
    R. v. M.A.T., 2024 BCSC 2355Sexual assault, Port Alberni
    2 years in a penitentiary, then 3 years probation
  2. August 21, 2023
    R. v. Schalm, 2023 BCSC 2594Assault with a weapon, Penticton
    • Below the Crown's ask
    15 months' imprisonment, less 449 days' credit for pre-sentence custody (one day remaining)

More occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm cases

  1. April 21, 2026
    R. v. Anderson, 2026 BCSC 856Robbery; Breach of a release order; Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm, Kamloops. Justice Andrea L. Ormiston
    5 years global custody before credit for 714 days (476 actual days at 1.5:1); lifetime firearms ban
  2. 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
  3. March 14, 2025
    R. v. J.R.L., 2025 BCSC 1303Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm; Pointing a firearm; Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order; Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm; Resisting or obstructing a peace officer, Kelowna. Justice Briana Hardwick
    4 years and 9 months in custody (4 years on the loaded restricted firearm count plus 9 months consecutive for breaching a weapons prohibition), concurrent to a life sentence for an unrelated murder
  4. February 14, 2025
    R. v. White, 2025 NSSC 54Careless use or storage of a firearm; Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; Unauthorized possession of a firearm; Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized; Possession 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; Contravention of firearm storage regulations; Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm; Possession of cannabis for the purpose of distributing, Halifax. Justice Peter P. Rosinski
    • Below the Crown's ask
    • On release at the time
    2 years less a day conditional sentence, then 2 years probation

All occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm cases (12)

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)

More cases in Dawson Creek

  1. August 19, 2022
    R. v. Laglace, 2022 BCSC 1773Aggravated assault; Forcible confinement; Robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm; Using a firearm in the commission of an offence; Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm; Kidnapping with a restricted or prohibited firearm. Justice Carla L. Forth
    Five years' incarceration less 1,145 days pre-sentence credit (681 days left to serve), then 24 months probation

Sources

  1. R. v. Bujold, 2025 BCSC 1926 Court decision, CanLII, September 12, 2025[10] I have a joint submission by Crown and defence for a sentence of 24 months of custody, less time served, followed by 12 months of probation.[10] I have a joint submission by Crown and defence for a sentence of 24 months of custody, less time served, followed by 12 months of probation.[5] Mr. Bujold called this matter forward to plead guilty and has pleaded guilty before me today to the only offence on the Indictment, which was that, contrary to s. 94(1) of the Criminal Code, RSC 1985, C.‑c. 46, he occupied a vehicle, knowing there was a restricted firearm in it.[11] In the circumstances before me, I do not see any reason that this will be contrary to the public interest (R. v. Anthony‑Cook, 2016 SCC 43). I accept the joint submission of counsel. This is an appropriate disposition and will meet the principles of sentencing pursuant to s. 718, in particular, of the Criminal Code.[16] THE COURT: Twenty‑four months in custody is 730 days. I will deduct 357 days of that, further to the joint submission of counsel regarding the dead time at a 1.5 ratio. That leaves 373 days to be served.
  2. Criminal Code, s. 94 Record, Justice Laws Website
  3. R. v. Bujold, 2025 BCSC 1926 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia

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