Former Spuzzum First Nation Chief James Hobart was sentenced to one year of probation earlier this week in connection to a 2022 assault in Mission.
Hobart was issued a probation order and a conditional discharge at a sentencing hearing in Abbotsford provincial court on Monday (April 13), according to the BC Prosecution Service.
The offences occurred in Mission in May and September of 2022. Hobart was charged with assault and assault with a weapon in February 2023.
Last April, Hobart entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of assault but pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon.
BC Prosecution Service said a stay of proceedings was directed for the assault with a weapon charge at the conclusion of Monday’s sentencing hearing. A previous breach of release order allegation was also stayed in June 2025.
Spuzzum First Nation removed Hobart as its chief last year following his guilty plea and failing to attend council meetings.
“These have been challenging and uncertain times for our community,” Spuzzum councillors Diana Stromquist and Janice Kuester said in a joint letter at the time. “We want to thank the membership for their engagement, patience, and support while we navigated these developments and fulfilled the duties and processes required under the Election Code.”
The letter, which was sent to Spuzzum members on May 30, 2025 explained that the decision was reached on two grounds, the first being that Hobart had “breached his Oath of Office in a manner that seriously jeopardized the reputation of the Nation’s government or community” under section 7.3 of the Election Code.
Hobart also had missed more than three council meetings in a row, without the council’s approval, which is a violation under section 7.4 of the Election Code. Council voted after reviewing Hobart’s submitted response letters regarding the proposal to remove him from office.
In 2023, a group of Spuzzum First Nation members protested and demanded Hobart’s resignation with concerns about a lack of communication, a lack of transparency and consultation, and misuse of authority.
– With files from The Hope Standard