Does the trial of an accused commence after the plea of the accused?

Generally speaking, the trial of an accused does not commence until after plea: see Giroux v. The King (1917), 1917 CanLII 81 (SCC), 29 C.C.C. 258 at p. 268. However, "trial" for the purpose of the principle that an accused is entitled to be present at his trial clearly includes proceedings which are part of the normal trial process for determining the guilt or innocence of the accused such as arraignment and plea, the empanelling of the jury, the reception of evidence (including voir dire proceedings with respect to the admissibility of evidence), rulings on evidence, arguments of counsel, addresses of counsel to the jury, the judge's charge, including requests by the jury for further instructions, the reception of the verdict and the imposition of sentence if the accused is found guilty.