Criminal charges to proceed against reporter covering Muskrat Falls protests

A provincial court judge has ruled criminal charges against reporterJustin Brake will go ahead.

Brake is facing charges of mischief and disobeying a court orderafter he entered the Muskrat Falls hydroelectic project along with protesters in October of 2016. At the time, he worked for theindependent.ca.

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Brake is also facing civil contempt proceedings in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court based on the same set of facts.

His lawyerGeoffBuddenasked that the court stay the criminal proceedings. But JudgeWynneAnneTraheydid not agree.

"There is nothing to preclude civil contempt and criminal contempt actionsfrom proceedingsimultaneously,"Traheysaid in her ruling Monday.

"Civil contempt proceedings are intended to resolve issues between competing parties. Criminal matters are intended to address matters of public interest."

Brake's next date in provincial court is set for April24.