Montrealers protest against man guilty of sexual abuse 'inadequate' sentence
Hundreds of people are rallying in front of Montreal's courthouse today to denounce a light sentence imposed on a man who pleaded guilty to sexual assault and voyeurism.
Protest co-organizer Alexandra Dupuy says the decision to grant a conditional discharge in a sexual assault case shows how inadequate the justice system is when it comes to handling such cases.
Judge Matthieu Poliquin in Trois-Rivières, Que., opted last week to give Simon Houle probation and a conditional discharge, partly because a conviction would make it hard for Houle to travel as an engineer.
People take part in a protest against a decision by judge Matthieu Poliquin in the case against a man who pled guilty to sexual assault and voyeurism in Montreal, Sunday, July 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Poliquin said the 2019 assault happened "all in all quickly," adding that Houle, who pleaded guilty last year, had taken therapy seriously and sincerely regretted his actions.
Dupuy says while most people are criticizing Poliquin, it's the legal process that ought to be questioned and revisited.
Quebec's Crown prosecutors office said it will appeal the judge's sentencing decision.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 10, 2022.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
BREAKING
BREAKING At least 2 dead and 60 hurt after a car drives into a German Christmas market in a suspected attack
A car plowed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities suspect was an attack.
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
'I understand there's going to be a short runway,' new minister says after Trudeau shuffles cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added eight Liberal MPs to his front bench and reassigned four ministers in a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa on Friday, but as soon as they were sworn-in, they faced questions about the political future of their government, and their leader.
Fake nurse Brigitte Cleroux sentenced for B.C. crimes
A woman who impersonated nurses in several provinces has been sentenced to seven years in prison for offences in British Columbia – where she illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients across multiple communities.
Poilievre to Trump: 'Canada will never be the 51st state'
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is responding to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s ongoing suggestions that Canada become the 51st state, saying it will 'never happen.'
A new book about Chrystia Freeland just came out. Here's what we learned
A new book about Chrystia Freeland has just come out, after the publishing company sped up its release date by a few months. CTV News sifted through the book and pulled out some notable anecdotes, as well as insights about Freeland's relationship with the prime minister.
Toronto officials warn of possible measles exposure at Pearson airport
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is advising of another possible measles exposure at Canada’s largest airport.
Bail denied for Winnipeg woman accused of killing animals in online videos
Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised. A Winnipeg woman accused of making videos of animals being tortured and killed that were sold on the dark web was denied bail.
Toronto
-
'Enough is enough': Toronto Jewish school struck by gunfire for third time since May
A Jewish elementary school in Toronto has been struck by gunfire for the third time in the last seven months.
-
6 arrested, 5 remain at large in auto theft ring that operated around Toronto Pearson Airport: police
Peel police have arrested seven people and issued arrest warrants for five more suspects who are allegedly part of a Quebec theft ring responsible for stealing more than 100 vehicles in and around Toronto Pearson International Airport.
-
Police say break-and-enter suspects were in Canada for 'purpose of committing criminal offences'
Five Chilean nationals who police believe were in Canada for 'the purpose of committing criminal offences' have been charged in connection with half a dozen break-and-enters across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Ottawa
-
Restaurants still waiting to see if GST/HST holiday impacts business
Reviews are beginning to come in from customers and restaurants a few days into the federal government's GST/HST holiday.
-
Man allegedly filming females in public washroom in business on Elgin Street, police looking for more victims
The Ottawa Police Service says a man has been arrested following a report alleging he was filming women inside a public washroom in a business on Elgin Street last weekend.
-
'Hot and frosty': Film industry booming in Ottawa
Ottawa is not only a hot spot for tourism, but also a landmark when it comes to the film industry and holiday movies, says the City of Ottawa.
Atlantic
-
Maritime weather: Warnings expanded as nor'easter approaches
Snowfall warnings are now in effect for mainland Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick.
-
New highway between Lower Sackville, Dartmouth to open Friday
A new highway that runs between Lower Sackville, N.S., and Dartmouth, N.S., is scheduled to open on Friday.
-
Cancellations and closures in anticipation of Maritime storm
There are a number of closures in the Maritimes Friday in advance of heavy snowfall that’s anticipated through parts of the region.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
-
After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons
Energy observers in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the provincial government to take a sober second look at a massive tentative deal announced last week with Quebec that promises to deliver hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the Atlantic province.
Northern Ontario
-
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
-
Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer
A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months.
-
North Bay-area man wanted on 19 charges, including spousal assault, drug trafficking
Police are asking for the public's help in finding a suspect wanted for a host of offences, ranging from assault to uttering death threats.
London
-
Man dies after falling from building: LPS
London police say a man has died after falling from a building.
-
Fire destroys London Cricket Club memorabilia, equipment
A fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of property and memorabilia at the London Cricket Club.
-
'I don't have any challenges here at all': Tenants now occupying supportive housing building in south-central London
A London project that benefited from a federal government housing accelerator fund now has tenants.
Kitchener
-
Guelph man pleads guilty to fleeing fatal crash involving cyclist
A Guelph driver, who previously admitted to failing to stop after a fatal crash, instead plead guilty to a different charge on Friday.
-
Police believe shots fired into Cambridge home was a targeted incident
Waterloo Regional Police Service now believes shot fired into a Cambridge home was a targeted incident.
-
Distillers not feeling the 'tax holiday' spirit
While some shoppers and store owners are celebrating the HST 'tax holiday' from the federal government, not all industries are feeling the holiday spirit.
Windsor
-
Clear Medical Imaging strike ends with arbitration agreement
The eight-week long strike action at Clear Medical Imaging has ended. According to officials, Unifor and the employer have agreed to binding arbitration.
-
Over $45,000 in cash and drugs seized: WPS
Two suspects have been arrested and over $45,000 in cash and drugs seized following an investigation by the Windsor Police Service (WPS).
-
Who remembers the Elmwood Casino in Windsor?
A former employee is organizing a reunion on the 50th anniversary of the closing of the beloved and much celebrated nightclub and casino on Dougall Avenue.
Barrie
-
Multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte
Southbound traffic along Highway 11 through Oro-Medonte was brought to a crawl Friday after a multi-vehicle collision.
-
High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student
A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student.
-
Driver charged after vehicle crashes into Barrie home
A driver was arrested Thursday night after a vehicle crashed into a home in Barrie.
Vancouver
-
B.C. man 'trying to appear cool' with loaded handgun at nightclub sentenced
A 23-year-old British Columbia man who pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded handgun inside a crowded nightclub has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
-
Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia announced as B.C.'s new lieutenant-governor
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the appointment of longtime businesswoman and philanthropist Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia as British Columbia's 31st lieutenant-governor.
-
B.C. parents warned against gifting children lottery tickets at Christmas
Scratch cards in stockings might seem like an exciting Christmas idea, but for those who are under the legal age limit, being lured into gambling too early could cause more mess than merriment further down the line, says the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. man 'trying to appear cool' with loaded handgun at nightclub sentenced
A 23-year-old British Columbia man who pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded handgun inside a crowded nightclub has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
-
Fake nurse Brigitte Cleroux sentenced for B.C. crimes
A woman who impersonated nurses in several provinces has been sentenced to seven years in prison for offences in British Columbia – where she illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients across multiple communities.
-
B.C. parents warned against gifting children lottery tickets at Christmas
Scratch cards in stockings might seem like an exciting Christmas idea, but for those who are under the legal age limit, being lured into gambling too early could cause more mess than merriment further down the line, says the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Winnipeg
-
Bail denied for Winnipeg woman accused of killing animals in online videos
Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised. A Winnipeg woman accused of making videos of animals being tortured and killed that were sold on the dark web was denied bail.
-
Man suffers broken leg after being arrested by Winnipeg police; IIU investigating
The Winnipeg Police Service said the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba is investigating after a man suffered broken bones in his leg after being arrested.
-
Avian influenza found at Manitoba farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has found a strain of avian flu at a Manitoba poultry farm.
Calgary
-
3 people sent to hospital after serious crash on Deerfoot Trail
A serious crash on Deerfoot Trail sent three people to hospital, including one in potentially life-threatening condition, on Friday afternoon.
-
Calgary man arrested in connection with more than a dozen robberies
Police say charges have been laid against a 19-year-old man in connection with a series of robberies that targeted cannabis and convenience stores in Calgary and Edmonton.
-
Alberta announces plan to develop 'modernized' coal policy
The future of coal mining in Alberta will be governed by a new, modern approach, the province announced on Friday.
Edmonton
-
Second inmate dies at Edmonton Remand Centre in as many days
An inmate died at the Edmonton Remand Centre on Thursday night.
-
Child pornography charges laid against 52-year-old woman
A Sherwood Park woman has been charged with two child pornography offences.
-
Woman dead after crash in northwest Grande Prairie
A woman is dead after a crash in Grande Prairie between an SUV and a crane truck.
Regina
-
Regina man creates snow sculpture to spread joy and inspire donations
A Regina man created a snow sculpture of a Santa head to spread joy and inspire donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
-
Highway closures in place as winter driving conditions return
After receiving another big dump of snow over the past couple of days, Saskatchewan drivers have had to contend with some treacherous driving conditions.
-
Local groups work to give people extra support this holiday season
As the holidays approach, outreach groups are working to give people in the community a bit of extra support.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police release details about latest homicide
Saskatoon police are releasing new details about the city’s latest homicide, although no charges have yet been laid.
-
Search continues for man wanted in connection with all-day manhunt in northern Sask.
The Saskatchewan RCMP are still searching for 28-year-old Dallas Fulton, wanted in connection with a dangerous person alert sent out across the province in October.
-
These rates and fees are changing in the new year in Saskatoon
A new year is bringing new fee adjustments at the City of Saskatoon. Starting on Jan. 1, the city will be charging more for a variety of services, including utilities, parking and leisure.
