Michael Bryant (politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Bryant is former public administrator and former politician
in Ontario
, Canada
. A Harvard-trained lawyer, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
, representing the electoral district of St. Paul's
for the Ontario Liberal Party
from 1999 until 2009. He served until May 25, 2009, as a member of Dalton McGuinty
's provincial cabinet
, first as Attorney-General, being the province's youngest-ever to hold that post, and subsequently as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Economic Development and Government House Leader.
Bryant left provincial politics to take up the newly created post of chief executive officer of Invest Toronto, an agency owned and operated by the City of Toronto
with a mandate to attract investment to the municipality and facilitate economic development.
After an altercation with a cyclist on August 31, 2009, Bryant was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death. Shortly after, he resigned as CEO of Invest Toronto, while maintaining that he is innocent of the charges. On May 25, 2010, all charges against Bryant were withdrawn, with prosecutors describing the cyclist as the aggressor in the incident.
Bryant has since joined Norton Rose OR LLP
(formerly Ogilvy Renault
) as Senior Advisor.
area of British Columbia
, where his father Ray was mayor of Esquimalt
from 1966 to 1969. Known for his "pugnacious streak," he trained as a boxer from childhood.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia
in 1988, and a Master's Degree
from the same institution in 1989. He graduated as in 1992 from Osgoode Hall Law School
with an LL.B. and was the silver medalist of his year. He then earned an LL.M. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School
in 1994. Bryant is a Fulbright Fellow. He clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada
in 1992-93, and was later a lawyer at the firm of Sullivan & Cromwell
in New York City
, as well as lecturing in law at King's College
at the University of London
in England
, and practicing litigation at McCarthy Tétrault
. In 1997, he became an adjunct professor in international law at the Department of Political Science
at the University of Toronto
.
In December 2009, he returned to the private practice of law when he joined Norton Rose OR LLP (formerly Ogilvy Renault) as Senior Advisor. He is involved in commercial and investment matters relating to energy, cleantech, natural resources and infrastructure/public-private partnerships.
Bryant lives in midtown Toronto with his wife Susan Abramovitch, who is an entertainment lawyer, and their two children.
, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative
cabinet minister
Isabel Bassett
in St. Paul's by almost 5,000 votes. Bryant had won the Liberal Party's nomination meeting over Kathleen Wynne
, 328 votes to 143. The Progressive Conservatives were re-elected, and Bryant served as his party's Critic to the Attorney General for the next four years.
He was re-elected by a greater majority in the provincial election of 2003
. The Liberals won a majority government in this election, and Bryant was appointed Ontario Attorney General and Minister with responsibility for Native Affairs
and Democratic Renewal
. While Attorney General he helped create Ontario's controversial Stunt Driving law, aimed at reducing street racing
, and supported seizing and crushing vehicles that had been modified for street racing. Bryant was also a strong proponent of a complete ban on handguns in Canada, at one point launching a website named "No Gun, No Funeral."
Bryant was re-elected in the 2007 election
and appointed as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
following a post-election cabinet shuffle
on October 30, 2007. On September 18, 2008, he became Minister of Economic Development
, replacing Sandra Pupatello
.
On May 23, 2009, Bryant announced that he would be leaving provincial politics in order to become CEO of the newly established Invest Toronto corporation, with Dalton McGuinty
taking over his portfolio of Economic Development. Bryant denied that his departure was as a result of a falling-out with McGuinty, though reports suggested that Bryant's outspoken nature and ambition for the Premier's job may have been controversial within McGuinty's inner circle.
Bryant's resignation was effective June 7, 2009. Eric Hoskins
retained the seat for the Liberals in a by-election held on September 17, 2009.
street which resulted in the cyclist's death. Bryant was later charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death with respect to the incident. On May 25, 2010, prosecutor Richard Peck withdrew all charges against Bryant stemming from the incident, noting there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction."
The fatality occurred when Bryant drove away and Sheppard grabbed hold of the side of the vehicle. The car veered into the opposite lanes, Sheppard's body struck a fire hydrant knocking him off the car and his head hit the pavement. There were witnesses who said it appeared Bryant had attempted to knock Sheppard off the car by striking him against trees and mailboxes. There were also witness reports that Sheppard reached into Bryant's convertible and grabbed Bryant or the steering wheel. Bryant parked his car around the corner and called 911. Sheppard later died of his injuries in hospital.
Bryant was released the next day by the police on his own recognizance without a bail hearing, appearing in a suit and tie to read a prepared statement to the media, where he maintained that he was innocent of the charges and extended condolences to Sheppard's family. A veteran defence lawyer suggested that "anyone else would have been taken to bail court and forced to stand in the box, unshaven and dishevelled". The terms of Bryant's release required him to abstain from driving, surrender his passport and remain in Ontario. He was defended by Marie Henein. Bryant also resigned as CEO of Invest Toronto, saying that the arrest would act as a distraction for the corporation.
During this time, social media was used to argue both sides. Bryant hired the services of a public relations firm, Navigator Ltd., while a campaign emerged on blogs and social networks such as Twitter
and YouTube
with surveillance video clips that allege to cast the victim in a more favourable light. A Twitter account run by Navigator, @bryantfacts, was countered by another Twitter account, @bryanttruths, set up by public relations professional Don Wiedman. On YouTube, an anonymous user posted videos of the surveillance footage broadcast by CTV News
, CityTV News
, and CBC News
.
The Ministry of the Attorney General appointed British Columbia
's Richard Peck
as the prosecutor to avoid a conflict-of-interest, as Bryant previously appointed judges when he was serving as Attorney General. His first court date was scheduled for October 19, 2009. The matter was adjourned six times.
On May 25, 2010, prosecutor Richard Peck withdrew all charges against Bryant stemming from the incident, noting there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction." Peck said that "[Bryant] was attacked by a man who unfortunately was in a rage. [Bryant] was legally justified in his attempt to get away", and noted that Sheppard had run-ins with six other motorists in the same month before his encounter with Bryant, and was witnessed throwing traffic cones in front of cars at the corner of Bloor and Yonge
less than twenty minutes before the accident. The decision to withdraw charges was criticized by Marli Epp, a spokesperson for the Toronto Bike Messenger Association and Yvonne Bambrick, executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. A Harvard-trained lawyer, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
, representing the electoral district of St. Paul's
St. Paul's (provincial electoral district)
St. Paul's is a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 1999.The small but densely-populated riding covers the area to the north of Downtown Toronto...
for the Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
from 1999 until 2009. He served until May 25, 2009, as a member of Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
's provincial cabinet
Executive Council of Ontario
The Executive Council of Ontario plays an important role in theGovernment of Ontario, in accordance with the Westminster system....
, first as Attorney-General, being the province's youngest-ever to hold that post, and subsequently as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Economic Development and Government House Leader.
Bryant left provincial politics to take up the newly created post of chief executive officer of Invest Toronto, an agency owned and operated by the City of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
with a mandate to attract investment to the municipality and facilitate economic development.
After an altercation with a cyclist on August 31, 2009, Bryant was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death. Shortly after, he resigned as CEO of Invest Toronto, while maintaining that he is innocent of the charges. On May 25, 2010, all charges against Bryant were withdrawn, with prosecutors describing the cyclist as the aggressor in the incident.
Bryant has since joined Norton Rose OR LLP
Norton Rose
Norton Rose is an international legal practice offering a business law service from 39 offices across Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada, Africa and the Middle East...
(formerly Ogilvy Renault
Ogilvy Renault
Ogilvy Renault LLP was a Canadian law firm with 450 members in offices in Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Calgary and London, England. Ogilvy Renault offered services in the areas of business law, litigation and ADR, employment and labour law and intellectual property...
) as Senior Advisor.
Background
Bryant was raised in the Greater VictoriaGreater Victoria, British Columbia
Greater Victoria is located in British Columbia, Canada, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. It is a cultural rather than political entity, usually defined as the thirteen easternmost municipalities of the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island but also includes adjoining areas and...
area of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, where his father Ray was mayor of Esquimalt
Esquimalt, British Columbia
The Township of Esquimalt is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the...
from 1966 to 1969. Known for his "pugnacious streak," he trained as a boxer from childhood.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
in 1988, and a Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from the same institution in 1989. He graduated as in 1992 from Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School
Osgoode Hall Law School is a Canadian law school, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and affiliated with York University. Named after the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, the law school was established by The Law Society of Upper Canada in 1889 and was the only accredited law...
with an LL.B. and was the silver medalist of his year. He then earned an LL.M. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 1994. Bryant is a Fulbright Fellow. He clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
in 1992-93, and was later a lawyer at the firm of Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is an international law firm headquartered in New York. The firm has approximately 800 lawyers in 12 offices, located in financial centers in the United States, Asia, Australia and Europe. Sullivan & Cromwell was founded by Algernon Sydney Sullivan and William Nelson...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, as well as lecturing in law at King's College
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and practicing litigation at McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault LLP is a law firm with offices in Canada’s major commercial centres and in London, UK. It provides business law, litigation, tax, real estate, and labour and employment law services....
. In 1997, he became an adjunct professor in international law at the Department of Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
.
In December 2009, he returned to the private practice of law when he joined Norton Rose OR LLP (formerly Ogilvy Renault) as Senior Advisor. He is involved in commercial and investment matters relating to energy, cleantech, natural resources and infrastructure/public-private partnerships.
Bryant lives in midtown Toronto with his wife Susan Abramovitch, who is an entertainment lawyer, and their two children.
Politics
Bryant was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the provincial election of 1999Ontario general election, 1999
An Ontario general election was held on June 3, 1999, to elect members of the 37th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
cabinet minister
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
Isabel Bassett
Isabel Bassett
Isabel Bassett is a Canadian broadcaster and former politician. From 1999 until 2005 she was the chair and CEO of TVOntario/TFO, Ontario's provincial public television network. She has been a controversial figure at times, but is also a highly regarded pioneer in Canadian...
in St. Paul's by almost 5,000 votes. Bryant had won the Liberal Party's nomination meeting over Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen Wynne
Kathleen O. Wynne is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Don Valley West for the Liberal Party.-Background:...
, 328 votes to 143. The Progressive Conservatives were re-elected, and Bryant served as his party's Critic to the Attorney General for the next four years.
He was re-elected by a greater majority in the provincial election of 2003
Ontario general election, 2003
The Ontario general election of 2003 was held on October 2, 2003, to elect the 103 members of the 38th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada....
. The Liberals won a majority government in this election, and Bryant was appointed Ontario Attorney General and Minister with responsibility for Native Affairs
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (Ontario)
The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for issues relating to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Ontario. The current Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is Kathleen Wynne who sits in the Executive Council of Ontario or cabinet...
and Democratic Renewal
Democratic Renewal Secretariat
The Democratic Renewal Secretariat was an Ontario government agency responsible for strengthening the Canadian province of Ontario's democracy, adding more accountability and more transparency....
. While Attorney General he helped create Ontario's controversial Stunt Driving law, aimed at reducing street racing
Street racing
Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal motor racing which takes place on public roads. Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned and coordinated. Well coordinated races are planned in advance and often have people communicating via 2-way radio/citizens' band radio and...
, and supported seizing and crushing vehicles that had been modified for street racing. Bryant was also a strong proponent of a complete ban on handguns in Canada, at one point launching a website named "No Gun, No Funeral."
Bryant was re-elected in the 2007 election
Ontario general election, 2007
The Ontario general election of 2007 was held on October 10, 2007 to elect members of the 39th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Liberals under Dalton McGuinty won the election with a majority government, winning 71 out of a possible 107 seats with 42.2% of the popular...
and appointed as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs (Ontario)
The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is the Government of Ontario ministry responsible for issues relating to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Ontario. The current Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is Kathleen Wynne who sits in the Executive Council of Ontario or cabinet...
following a post-election cabinet shuffle
Cabinet shuffle
In the parliamentary system a cabinet shuffle or reshuffle is an informal term for an event that occurs when a head of government rotates or changes the composition of ministers in their cabinet....
on October 30, 2007. On September 18, 2008, he became Minister of Economic Development
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (Ontario)
The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade in the Canadian province of Ontario is responsible for programs to attract and retain business and economic development in the province...
, replacing Sandra Pupatello
Sandra Pupatello
Sandra Pupatello was a politician in Ontario, Canada. She served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2011 as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party, serving as a Minister in the government of Dalton McGuinty....
.
On May 23, 2009, Bryant announced that he would be leaving provincial politics in order to become CEO of the newly established Invest Toronto corporation, with Dalton McGuinty
Dalton McGuinty
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr., MPP is a Canadian lawyer, politician and, since October 23, 2003, the 24th and current Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario....
taking over his portfolio of Economic Development. Bryant denied that his departure was as a result of a falling-out with McGuinty, though reports suggested that Bryant's outspoken nature and ambition for the Premier's job may have been controversial within McGuinty's inner circle.
Bryant's resignation was effective June 7, 2009. Eric Hoskins
Eric Hoskins
Eric William Hoskins, OC, MSC is a Canadian administrator and politician. Hoskins was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in a by-election on September 17, 2009, representing St. Paul's as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party...
retained the seat for the Liberals in a by-election held on September 17, 2009.
2009 criminal charges
On September 1, 2009, Bryant was taken into police custody after an altercation with cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard on a downtown TorontoDowntown Toronto
Downtown Toronto is the central business district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is approximately bounded by Bloor Street to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, the Don River to the east, and Bathurst Street to the west...
street which resulted in the cyclist's death. Bryant was later charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death with respect to the incident. On May 25, 2010, prosecutor Richard Peck withdrew all charges against Bryant stemming from the incident, noting there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction."
The incident
On the evening of August 31, 2009, Bryant and his wife were driving home in his Saab convertible after celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary. At one point, they passed a cyclist, Darcy Allan Sheppard, who according to an interview with Bryantwas tossing garbage and holding up traffic by executing figure eights on his bike. As they neared a pedestrian crossing Sheppard pulled in front of Bryant’s vehicle at a red light. According to Bryant his vehicle stalled when he stopped behind Sheppard. His car then lurched forward from his attempts to restart the vehicle which brought the car close to or in contact with Sheppard’s tire. Expert analysis of security camera footage confirmed the car’s headlights dimmed in a manner consistent with this explanation and that the vehicle had a “sensitive and light clutch”. The Crown also determined that no damage to the bicycle’s rear wheel rim was evident. Witnesses said that Sheppard confronted Bryant and his wife “loudly and aggressively” while they “remained passive.” The car’s next movement resulted in Sheppard ending up on the hood of the car. The car travelled 30 feet, lasted 2.5 second, the car’s speed was between 9 and 13.4 km/h and brakes were applied after 1 second. According to Bryant he was looking down trying to restart the vehicle and applied the brakes when he saw Sheppard on the hood. The crown determined that there was no evidence Sheppard was seriously injured at this point and there was not enough evidence to justify a separate charge based upon Bryant’s driving to this point.The fatality occurred when Bryant drove away and Sheppard grabbed hold of the side of the vehicle. The car veered into the opposite lanes, Sheppard's body struck a fire hydrant knocking him off the car and his head hit the pavement. There were witnesses who said it appeared Bryant had attempted to knock Sheppard off the car by striking him against trees and mailboxes. There were also witness reports that Sheppard reached into Bryant's convertible and grabbed Bryant or the steering wheel. Bryant parked his car around the corner and called 911. Sheppard later died of his injuries in hospital.
Aftermath
Sheppard's girlfriend reported to the media that before the incident, Sheppard had been intoxicated to such an extent that she did not want him to cycle home from her apartment. Police had been called to her apartment that evening to investigate “unknown trouble” and had briefly questioned Sheppard. At the time of death, Sheppard's blood alcohol level was 0.183. The police opted not to test Bryant's blood alcohol level.Bryant was released the next day by the police on his own recognizance without a bail hearing, appearing in a suit and tie to read a prepared statement to the media, where he maintained that he was innocent of the charges and extended condolences to Sheppard's family. A veteran defence lawyer suggested that "anyone else would have been taken to bail court and forced to stand in the box, unshaven and dishevelled". The terms of Bryant's release required him to abstain from driving, surrender his passport and remain in Ontario. He was defended by Marie Henein. Bryant also resigned as CEO of Invest Toronto, saying that the arrest would act as a distraction for the corporation.
During this time, social media was used to argue both sides. Bryant hired the services of a public relations firm, Navigator Ltd., while a campaign emerged on blogs and social networks such as Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
and YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
with surveillance video clips that allege to cast the victim in a more favourable light. A Twitter account run by Navigator, @bryantfacts, was countered by another Twitter account, @bryanttruths, set up by public relations professional Don Wiedman. On YouTube, an anonymous user posted videos of the surveillance footage broadcast by CTV News
CTV National News
CTV National News is CTV's flagship newscast, which airs at 11:00 p.m. local time on the CTV stations across Canada, and live at 10:00pm ET, with repeats hourly up until 2 a.m. ET on CTV News Channel, CTV's 24-hour cable news television channel, and the previous day's can be seen on the Internet. ...
, CityTV News
CityNews
CityNews is the title of local television newscasts currently seen on CITY-TV Toronto, Canada. It premiered on September 12, 1977 under the name CityPulse, then spread to Citytv stations in other cities across Canada. Due to severe financial issues, as of January 19, 2010, the only station that...
, and CBC News
CBC News
CBC News is the department within the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the news gathering and production of news programs on CBC television, radio and online services...
.
The Ministry of the Attorney General appointed British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
's Richard Peck
Richard Peck (lawyer)
Richard C.C. Peck, QC is a British Columbia lawyer who has been counsel in many significant criminal cases at all judicial levels including the Supreme Court of Canada and has been appointed by provincial governments to serve as a special prosecutor.He graduated from the University of British...
as the prosecutor to avoid a conflict-of-interest, as Bryant previously appointed judges when he was serving as Attorney General. His first court date was scheduled for October 19, 2009. The matter was adjourned six times.
On May 25, 2010, prosecutor Richard Peck withdrew all charges against Bryant stemming from the incident, noting there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction." Peck said that "[Bryant] was attacked by a man who unfortunately was in a rage. [Bryant] was legally justified in his attempt to get away", and noted that Sheppard had run-ins with six other motorists in the same month before his encounter with Bryant, and was witnessed throwing traffic cones in front of cars at the corner of Bloor and Yonge
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
less than twenty minutes before the accident. The decision to withdraw charges was criticized by Marli Epp, a spokesperson for the Toronto Bike Messenger Association and Yvonne Bambrick, executive director of the Toronto Cyclists Union
Toronto Cyclists Union
Started in 2008, the Toronto Cyclists Union is Toronto's largest cycling advocacy organization with over 500 members as of 2008. -History:...
.