Court date reset for ex-Thunder Bay, Ont., police chief due to health issues, faces obstruction charges

Former Thunder Bay, Ont., police chief Sylvie Hauth faces obstruction and breach of trust charges. (Sinisa Jolic/CBC)Social SharingA new court date of Nov. 17 has been set for former Thunder Bay, Ont., police chief Sylvie Hauth, after proceedings in the criminal case were delayed again due to health issues.

Hauth, who served as chief for just over four years, retired in 2023 and was charged in April 2024 with various obstruction and breach of trust counts.

The 59-year-old's lawyer appeared in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice on Wednesday morning via video conference to update the judge on the status of the case.

“The bottom line is that our client's health remains an impediment to her moving forward at this time, and she's continuing treatment in October,” said Kelsey Flanagan, an associate lawyer at Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP.

Hauth was charged in April 2024 with one count each of obstruction of a public officer or peace officer and breach of trust by a public officer, and two counts of obstruction of justice.

No pleas have been entered and no trial date has been set.

Hauth was suspended in 2022 after the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) brought misconduct charges against her under the Police Services Act. She retired before the allegations could be tested in a hearing.

Flanagan acknowledged there is no 11(b) waiver in this case, which is when an accused person gives up their Charter right to be tried within a reasonable time.

That said, “the defence acknowledges that the delay is a function of circumstances outside the Crown's control and is also a defence request,” Flanagan said.

Days before charges against Hauth were laid, former Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) lawyer Holly Walbourne was charged with one count each of obstructing a public officer or peace officer and breach of trust by a public officer, and three counts of obstructing justice.

Walbourne was found not guilty in April 2026 of obstruction of justice and breach of trust. All charges against her have been withdrawn.

The Nov. 17 court date is set to begin at 9 a.m. ET.

Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca.