Thunder Bay & Northwestern Ontario DUI Defence

Thunder Bay is the hub of Northwestern Ontario — a region larger than many countries, with communities spread hundreds of kilometres apart. Outside the city, there’s often no public transit. Driving isn’t convenience here — it’s survival. Losing your licence can mean losing access to groceries, healthcare, or work many hours away.

Yet impaired driving laws are written by politicians in cities like Toronto and Ottawa, far removed from these realities. That disconnect can make charges here feel especially harsh, but the law treats Northwestern Ontario the same as downtown Toronto. My role is to defend you with strategies tailored to this region’s unique geography, economy, and way of life, whether on the road, on Lake Superior, or on the trails.

Where Your Case Will Be Heard

Impaired driving cases in Northwestern Ontario may be heard at:

• Thunder Bay – Ontario Court of Justice, 125 Brodie St N, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 0A3
• Nipigon (satellite) – Nipigon Community Centre, 138 Wadsworth Dr E, Nipigon, ON P0T 2J0
• Marathon – Ontario Court of Justice, 37 Peninsula Rd, Marathon, ON P0T 2E0
• Geraldton – Greenstone Cultural Centre, 299 East St, Greenstone, ON P0T 1M0
• Longlac (satellite) – Royal Canadian Legion Branch 213, 117 Dieppe Rd, Longlac, ON P0T 2A0
• Schreiber (satellite) – Schreiber Recreation Centre, 100 Langworthy St, Schreiber, ON P0T 2S5
• Manitouwadge (satellite) – 1 Mississauga Dr, Manitouwadge, ON P0T 2C0

I have appeared in each of these courthouses and satellite courts over more than two decades of practice, including in remote and fly-in communities throughout the region.

Local Enforcement – Roads, Water, and Trails

The Thunder Bay Police Service handles cases within city limits, while the Ontario Provincial Police patrol highways, rural roads, and waterways across Northwestern Ontario.
First Nations police services — such as the Anishinabek Police Service and Nishnawbe Aski Police Service — also enforce impaired driving laws within their jurisdictions.

• Roads: RIDE programs on Highway 17 (Trans-Canada), Highway 11, and secondary highways are common, especially during holiday weekends.
• Waterways: Lake Superior and regional lakes see active marine patrols in summer, with boating impaired charges under the same Criminal Code provisions as driving.
• Trails: Winter snowmobile patrols and seasonal ATV enforcement are frequent in trail-rich communities.

Common Scenarios Leading to Charges

Many clients are first-time offenders who didn’t realize they were over the legal limit or how long alcohol or THC stays in the system. Common scenarios include:

• Driving home after a gathering in a neighbouring community
• Boating back to dock after a day on Lake Superior or inland lakes
• Riding a snowmobile after a winter festival or cabin visit
• Using an ATV for hunting or trail riding after casual drinks
• Being stopped at a RIDE checkpoint far from home, including during holiday weekends
• Facing a “refusal to blow” charge after roadside testing demands

What Happens Immediately After You’re Charged

An impaired driving, boating, or off-road charge in Northwestern Ontario triggers:

• Immediate 90-day driver’s licence suspension
• Roadside vehicle impoundment for seven days
• Fingerprinting and photographs at the police detachment
• A first court date at the courthouse or satellite serving your area

Call now for a confidential consultation before your first court date because early legal advice can help protect your driving or boating privileges and preserve your options.

Why the Stakes Are Higher Here

In remote communities, losing your licence can mean losing your job, delaying medical treatment, or being cut off from family. For high-profile clients and professionals, there’s also the issue of cross-border travel restrictions and reputation management, as the OPP frequently publish the names of people charged, despite the presumption of innocence.

The Penalties if Convicted

Even a first offence can result in:

• A criminal record
• Minimum one-year licence suspension
• Mandatory ignition interlock (for motor vehicles)
• Fines and court costs
• Increased insurance premiums
• Employment and travel restrictions

How I Defend DUI Cases in the Northwest

Every defence is built around the facts. I examine:

• Whether the stop, vessel boarding, or trail stop was lawful
• The accuracy and legality of roadside and station breath, coordination, or drug testing
• Compliance with Charter rights
• Admissibility of evidence and handling of samples
• Procedural or technical errors that could result in exclusion of evidence

Although some cases are resolved without a trial for a non-criminal outcome, many cases require a full trial. We always prepare every case from the very first contact as if it is going to trial, which not only strengthens our negotiation position, but always leaves us ready to fight for you in Court. My goal is to protect your record, your driving or boating privileges, and your future. We appear in Court for you for all administrative remands. We can often make arrangements for you to appear remotely by zoom at the Courthouse for your trial or resolution date, especially if you live far from the Courthouse or are from a fly-in community.

Serving the Entire Northwestern Ontario Region

I defend clients in:

• Thunder Bay – City and surrounding townships
• Nipigon, Red Rock, Dorion – North Shore corridor
• Marathon, Terrace Bay, Schreiber – Lake Superior coastal communities
• Geraldton, Longlac, Manitouwadge – Greenstone and inland towns
• Rural, remote, and First Nations communities – Road, boating, and off-road cases

If you’ve been charged with a road, boating, or off-road DUI in Thunder Bay or Northwestern Ontario, call 807-788-2387 today for a confidential consultation. Acting quickly can protect your privileges and give you the best chance at a favourable outcome.