Canon David Garrett, rector of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Charlottetown has served a three-day prison sentence and paid a $1,500 fine plus a $450 victim surcharge following an Oct. 15 conviction for impaired driving, according to the Rev. Ann Turner, executive director of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The conviction concerned an incident on Aug. 6 in which Garrett got into a collision that severely damaged the front of his vehicle at 1:37 pm and subsequently tested at 150 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood on two police breathalyzer tests, according to a PNI Atlantic News article. Drivers can be charged in Canada if found to have 80 mg of alcohol or more in 100 ml of blood.
“This has been a difficult and challenging time for Canon Garrett and, to his credit, he was both prompt and transparent in immediately notifying both Bishop Sandra Fyfe and his parish of the incident,” Turner wrote in an email to the Anglican Journal. “In a public letter to parishioners, Canon David shared his intention to plead guilty to these charges and to pursue, with full commitment, any assistance and guidance available in these circumstances.”
Garrett has not returned to work and remains on leave for the moment, she said. She did not provide any further details on when he will return to work at the cathedral.
“Canon David’s parish continues to uphold him with grace and concern while he is on temporary leave from active ministry,” she wrote.
Staff at St. Peter’s Cathedral said Garrett was unavailable for comment.
This article has been corrected to reflect Garrett’s title as rector of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
