Indigenous leaders in Val-d’Or, Que., emerged from a meeting this morning with municipal and Crown officials expressing anger and frustration with the province’s justice system.
During the meeting, a Crown representative explained the decision not to press charges against six provincial police officers who served in Val-d’Or and were accused by several women of physical and sexual abuse.
Those explanations, which are being revealed at a news conference currently underway at the Val-d’Or courthouse, marking the first time the Crown is speaking publicly about the accusations of abuse, did little to meet the concerns of members of the First Nations communities in the region.
“I can guarantee you that there will be chaos in some parts,” said former Pikogan chief Richard Kistabish after the meeting. “There will be some very angry people who will show up in the streets.”
Johnny Wylde, father of Sindy Ruperthouse, an Algonquin woman who went missing in 2014, says the Crown’s decision not to press charges against Quebec provincial police officers in the Val-d’Or abuse scandal has done little to restore his trust in the justice system. (Radio-Canada)
He said the Crown’s decision undoes months of hard work to improve relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Val-d’Or Mayor Pierre Corbeil, addressing reporters after the meeting, reiterated calls for an independent inquiry into the allegations. The Quebec government has repeatedly refused that request.
His statement, however, was interrupted by Jimmy Papatie, the former chief of the Kitcisakik community, south of Val-d’Or.
“I don’t believe in the justice system in Val-d’Or,” Papatie cried out at the mayor. “How do you want us to live next to your city … when nothing changes.”
Very emotional scenes outside Val d’Or city hall – a lot of anger at Crown decision not to press charges #qcpoli #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/5S53541pQ6
Crown to speak
The investigation into the abuse allegations began in October 2015 following a report by Radio-Canada’s investigative program Enquête.
In response to the Radio-Canada’s report, the Quebec government mandated Montreal police to undertake a wide-ranging investigation of police misconduct in northern Quebec. The Montreal police turned over 38 files to the Crown.
Officials with the Crown are expected to explain why they chose not to pursue charges against the police officers who served in Val-d’Or.
According to those who took part in the morning meeting at city hall, the Crown said it had insufficient evidence to secure convictions in the cases involving the Val-d’Or officers.
The Crown is pursuing charges against Alain Juneau, who served in Schefferville, Que., in the 1990s. They are expected to announce charges against a second officer who served in Schefferville.