Fraud over $5,000, Forgery, Use, trafficking or possession of forged document, Identity fraud (personation), Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, Identity theft, Fraud $5,000 or under
R. v. MacDougall
- Below the Crown's ask
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Katherine MacDougall pleaded guilty to 19 counts including fraud, identity theft, forgery, possession of forged documents, personation of a lawyer and unlicensed possession of a firearm, arising from schemes that used false identities, forged death certificates and medical notes to defraud employers, a former partner and provincial programs. The Crown sought five years; the defence sought three and a half years. Justice Chipman found a 60-month sentence fit, then reduced it to 54 months (four and one half years) for totality, less 558.5 days of enhanced remand credit.
In the judge's words
1Given the facts, I am of the view that Ms. MacDougall’s moral culpability falls at the highest end of the spectrum. These were sophisticated, intertwined offences perpetrated over a lengthy period.
The record
- Convicted of
- Fraud over $5,000 (CC 380(1)(a), 2 counts)
- Forgery (CC 367)
- Use, trafficking or possession of forged document (CC 368(1), 8 counts)
- Identity fraud (personation) (CC 403)
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized (CC 92(1))
- Identity theft (CC 402.2(1))
- Fraud $5,000 or under (CC 380(1)(b), 5 counts)
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 3 years and 6 months in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: William Mathers, Kevin Nightengale
Defence: Carbo Kwan
Sources
- R. v. MacDougall, 2026 NSSC 169 Court decision, CanLII, May 21, 2026
[12] The Crown seeks a total custodial sentence of five years along with these seven ancillary orders:
[13] The Defence asks for a global sentence of three and one half years imprisonment.
[1] On December 9, 2025, Katherine MacDougall, also known as Alissa MacGillivary, also known as Alexandra Ryan, provided informed and voluntary guilty pleas to the following offences on the direct Indictment:
[18] Given the facts, I am of the view that Ms. MacDougall’s moral culpability falls at the highest end of the spectrum. These were sophisticated, intertwined offences perpetrated over a lengthy period.
[43] In all of the circumstances, I am of the view that a fit and appropriate global sentence - apportioned as set out below - is a sentence of 60 months. In taking a "last look", I am of the view that each sentence should be reduced to arrive at a total sentence of 54 months or four and one half years, in accordance with the totality principle. … [45] … the parties agree and I find that the offender has a total of 558.5 days of enhanced remand credit available.
- Criminal Code, s. 380 Record, Justice Laws Website
- R. v. MacDougall, 2026 NSSC 169 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia