The accused says he will represent himself when the case goes to trial
A Cap-Pelé man accused of assaulting and threatening an NB Power employee pleaded not guilty in Moncton provincial court Friday and will represent himself at trial.
Ronald Arsenault, 53, faces charges related to an alleged March 29 incident involving NB Power employee Hakeem Duncan in Cap-Pelé. The charges include assault and uttering threats, CBC News reported.
Duty counsel Julie-Michèle Lee told judge Paul Duffie that Arsenault intends to represent himself when the case goes to trial.
“His intention this morning is to plead not guilty and to seek a trial date,” Lee said in court Friday.
The allegations against Arsenault stem from incidents earlier this year when NB Power reported that employees were facing verbal harassment during hundreds of phone calls from clients. Many customers were complaining about rising power costs, according to the utility company.
In April, NB Power issued a statement revealing that two employees had been assaulted during separate incidents while performing their duties in the field. The utility had previously appealed for calm following the alleged assault on its worker.
The incident reflects broader tensions between the Crown corporation and customers over electricity rate increases that have prompted widespread complaints from New Brunswick residents.
Arsenault confirmed to Duffie on Friday that he had been advised to obtain disclosure in his case and indicated his intention to do so. Disclosure refers to the evidence that the Crown must provide to the defence before trial.
The case represents one of the reported assaults on NB Power employees that prompted the utility to speak publicly about harassment and violence against its workers. The company had expressed concerns about the safety of its employees while they conducted routine work in communities across the province.
Arsenault is scheduled to return to court on July 24, 2026, when further proceedings in his case will take place.
