The first court appearance for Barrie city councillor Mike McCann on impaired driving charges was held Monday morning, with a next date set for Dec. 21.
Barrie police charged McCann with impaired driving and over 80 (having equal to or more than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood) following an incident on Saturday, Sept. 5.
According to court documents, police allege the 44-year-old Barrie resident was operating a vehicle while his ability to do so was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or both, contrary to the Criminal Code.
Barrie police say they responded to a collision involving a vehicle and a hydro pole at around 2 p.m., Sept. 5, in the area of Yonge Street and Cox Mill Road in the city's south end.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
McCann has said he plans to fight the charges.
"My focus as a business owner and city councillor is always first and foremost the safety and well being of our community, and I support the Barrie police in its efforts to keep our community safe," McCann wrote in an email to BarrieToday in September.
"However, I will be contesting these charges and, as the matter is now before the courts, I am unable to make any further comment at this time," he added.
McCann was first elected to council in 2014 to represent Ward 10 in the city's south end.
