Dane Skinner (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

hearing to start next week

Charter applications filed for Sylvan Lake man accused in $2.6M fraud case

Feb 22, 2021 | 12:17 PM

A voir dire is scheduled to take place next month for a Sylvan Lake man accused of defrauding over $2.6 million from investors who thought they were buying into a “revolutionary fracking product.”

Described as a mini-hearing or “trial within a trial,” the voir dire for Dane Michael Skinner, 56, is scheduled for March 1-19 in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench.

It’s expected the voir dire will determine what evidence is admissible and can be submitted for Skinner’s jury trial slated for Sept. 8 – Oct. 1, 2021.

A voir dire can also be convened to determine the competence of a witness or to determine whether an expert witness is qualified to give evidence.

On Feb. 19, Crown prosecutor Peter Mackenzie confirmed to rdnewsNOW that Skinner’s defence lawyer, Norm Kelly, filed an “unreasonable search application” under section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Last seen Nov. 28

Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

10h ago

the situation is dire

Two deaths, possibly from cold exposure, raise alarm amid Red Deer shelter situation and plight of homeless community

Dec 12, 2025

Lace-'Em Up!

Red Deer's outdoor rinks returning for another season

Dec 12, 2025

The section states that, “Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.”

Mackenzie also confirmed the defence has filed an “unreasonable pre-charge delay” application, which falls under section 7 and 11(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Section 7 states, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice”, while section 11(d) states, “Any person charged with an offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal.”

Mackenzie anticipates both applications to be heard during the March voir dire.

Of note, Skinner’s trial is scheduled to take place well beyond his ‘Jordan date’ of Jan. 24, 2021.

A 2016 decision from the Supreme Court of Canada – often called the ‘Jordan decision’ – stipulates that a trial must begin within 30 months of charges being laid in Court of Queen’s Bench cases.

Skinner was arrested July 25, 2018 and faces counts of fraud over $5,000 and laundering proceeds of crime. He was arrested after an investigation by Blackfalds RCMP and Red Deer Financial Crimes Unit that began in 2013.

According to police, the alleged offences took place between Dec. 5, 2007 and Feb. 28, 2013 in Lacombe and are said to involve two numbered companies (1518869 Alberta Ltd. and 1367158 Alberta Ltd.), as well as N.E.X.T. Legacy Technologies Ltd.

Mounties allege Skinner misrepresented and advertised a “revolutionary fracking product” which resulted in lucrative financial gains.

As a result, numerous victims were enticed to invest in the company, with losses to those investors reported to be over $2.6 million.