Nova Scotia actor Mike Smith, who is best known for playing the character Bubbles on “Trailer Park Boys,” has had his first court appearance as he faces a sexual assault charge.

Defence lawyer Stan MacDonald appeared on Smith’s behalf at Halifax provincial court Monday morning.

“This is an allegation at this point. It hasn’t been proven,” MacDonald told reporters outside the courtroom.

“It will be tried in the court, it won’t be tried in the media, and in the meantime, we ask that the privacy of everyone involved be respected. So that’s all I’m going to say today.”

According to court documents, Halifax Regional Police charged Smith with sexual assault on Oct. 2 for an alleged incident on Dec. 30, 2017.

Nicole Ford, senior Crown attorney, pointed out there is no statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault in Canada.

“It is actually quite common for charges of sexual violence to come out later on and to years following the alleged incident, that’s not uncommon,” said Ford. “We do see that regularly, and that’s why there’s no limitation for sexual violence.”

A publication ban is in place to protect the identity of the female complainant and any information that could identify her.

Smith has not yet entered a plea.

“Today is the very early stages in the proceedings. It was the arraignment stage, so all that was expected was his counsel to appear, identify that they’ve been retained, and then sometimes we’ll hear a plea on today’s date,” explained Ford. “In today’s proceedings, we did not have a plea entered.”

While the case was in Halifax court Monday, Ford said it will be moving to court in Dartmouth, N.S., where the alleged incident took place.

Ford said Smith could enter a plea at his next court date on Dec. 3.

“I can’t say for certain what will happen at the next date, that will depend on if disclosure’s been complete and what him and his counsel has discussed, but it is set for election and plea at that time, so there is a possibility that an election could be made on that day as well as a plea entered,” she explained.

Smith won’t get special treatment: Crown

Ford also commented on the fact that the accused is a high-profile TV personality, insisting that won’t impact the outcome of the case.

“Every person, no matter of their public status or their public personality or anything to do with their public nature or profile, doesn’t get treated any differently that any other individual,” she said.

“We at the PPS (Public Prosecution Service) take every file very seriously. We evaluate every file the same way for each individual person, and we maintain our integrity of the investigation separate and we do not provide any type of special treatment to anyone based on their public profile.”

‘Trailer Park Boys’ issue statement

Trailer Park Boys Incorporated released a statement on Sunday, saying they’re aware of the allegation against Smith, and confirming he has stepped away from his role as managing director.

“We recognize how difficult an allegation of this nature is for all involved,” said Trailer Park Boys Incorporated in the statement. “Out of respect for the legal process, we will not comment further on this case.”

“We remain focused on delivering the long-awaited 13th season for our fans,” it continued.

Ten new “Trailer Park Boys” episodes are set to premiere in April 2026, coinciding with the show’s 25th anniversary.

2016 allegation

This isn’t the first time Smith has had legal troubles.

He faced a battery charge in Los Angeles in April 2016 for an alleged incident involving a woman at a Hollywood hotel. The misdemeanour domestic battery charge was dropped a month later.

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office said at the time it decided not to pursue the charge “due to lack of sufficient evidence.”

Smith denied any wrongdoing in a written statement issued shortly after his arrest, saying the woman was a friend of his with whom he had a “loud and heated dispute.”

“At no time did I assault her. I am not guilty of the misdemeanour charged against me,” he said at the time.