Supreme Court of Canada orders trial on drug charges to proceed despite delay

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada says a case against two people for alleged drug offences will go to trial in Ontario after it was derailed due to a delay.

Robert Vrbanic and Sarah Josipovic were jointly charged with possession of large amounts of four different drugs for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.

The two argued there was a breach of their right to timely justice because the case was delayed beyond the ceiling of 18 months for a trial in provincial court.

The Crown acknowledged the delay exceeded the limit but argued it was justified by the case’s complexity.

A judge found the delay was not justified and ordered a stay of proceedings — a decision that was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal.

In a ruling from the bench after a hearing, the Supreme Court set aside the stay and sent the case back for trial, adding that reasons for its decision would come later.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2025.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press