Arraignment date set for ex-Dawson Creek councillor Shaely Wilbur

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Shaely Wilbur, a former mayoral candidate in Dawson Creek. — Former Dawson Creek councillor Shaely Wilbur. (file)

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A former Dawson Creek councillor charged with breach of trust is set to enter a plea at a hearing later this month.

Shaely Wilbur — who was also a former mayoral candidate in the last Dawson Creek municipal election, won by current mayor Darcy Dober — has an arraignment hearing scheduled for September 23rd.

According to the Provincial Court of British Columbia’s website, arraignment hearings are “usually the hearing where [the accused will] plead guilty or not guilty to the criminal charge.”

Wilbur’s charge is connected to an incident that reportedly took place on December 1st, 2021 in Dawson Creek.

Because breach of trust is an indictable offence, with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, Wilbur also still has the opportunity to elect her mode of trial.

That means she can choose whether she will be tried by a provincial court judge or a supreme court judge and jury.

Wilbur was first given the opportunity to elect her mode of trial at hearings in August that were ultimately adjourned. Her latest hearing was on Tuesday, September 9th, to consult with counsel.