An SQ officer has failed in his attempt to have a judge stay the criminal charges against him in connection with a fatal crash that killed a five-year-old boy three years ago in Longueuil.
Patrick Ouellet is charged with dangerous driving causing death.
In February 2014, Nicholas Thorne-Belance was in his father's car as they were making a left turn on a green light when an unmarked police cruiser driving at 120 km/h in a 50 km/h zone crashed into them. The boy died of his injuries a few days later.
Ouellet was reportedly on a shadowing operation at the time and not responding to an emergency.
Ouellet was not charged, prompting a fury of criticism.
The justice minister at the time, Stéphanie Vallée, ordered the case reopened with independent investigators who recommended charges be laid against Ouellet.
Quebec's chief crown prosecutor decided to file a charge of dangerous driving causing death in May 2015.
Ouellet's lawyer argued the charge should be stayed because of abuse of procedures since the justice minister intervened.
The judge ruled there was no evidence of abuse of procedures. Judge Denys Noël said the minister acted within her powers. Noël said while there were consultations, the chief crown made the final decision without outside influences following recommendations from independent investigators.
Ouellet, accompanied by supporters, remained stony-faced as the judge handed down his ruling.
Thorne-Belance's family members and friends, sitting in the front row of the courtroom, were seen slightly smiling after the ruling, squeezing each other's hands in support.
Ouellet's trial will now take place in June.