On December 12, 2025, the Crown has decided to appeal the verdict in a case involving the death of a 20-year-old worker who was electrocuted while trimming hedges in 2023. The supervisor of the hedge-trimming company, Steven Deans, has been acquitted of criminal negligence related to the incident.
The tragic event occurred when the worker, Nick Chenier, was trimming a hedge and accidentally came into contact with a high-voltage power line, resulting in his death. The trial, presided over by a judge only, began in September in Ottawa.
The judge ruled on Friday that the Crown could not prove that Deans was aware of the danger or had intentionally ignored the risk of Chenier being near the power line. The judge also stated that Deans’ failure to assess the distance between the hedge and the power line during a prior site visit did not significantly deviate from industry standards.
Following the verdict, Deans’ lawyer, Mark Ertel, expressed relief rather than joy, acknowledging the sorrowful nature of the case. He highlighted the friendship between Deans and Chenier and emphasized that Deans was devastated by the loss of his friend.
In court, Chenier’s mother, Jennifer Chenier, expressed her grief over the loss of her son, describing him as a vibrant young man with a promising future. Despite her disappointment with the court’s decision, she thanked the Crown for their efforts and expressed her determination to seek justice through a future coroner’s inquest.
During the trial, Crown lawyer Anne Fitzpatrick argued that Deans had failed to warn Chenier about the risks posed by the power lines. She contended that Deans had disregarded Chenier’s safety by assigning him work that could not be safely conducted near power lines.
In a separate non-criminal case, the company director, Sheldon Bestgreen, pleaded guilty to charges related to violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Bestgreen was fined $45,000, with additional surcharges, for failing to ensure compliance with safety regulations at the job site. Other charges against the company and Deans were withdrawn as part of a joint agreement.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development prosecuted the company and individuals involved in the case, aiming to uphold workplace safety standards and seek accountability for the tragic incident.