National

Corruption charges stayed against Normandeau

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Sep, 2020 04:57 PM

A judge has granted a stay of proceedings in the case of former Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau and her co-accused on corruption-related charges.

Quebec court Judge Andre Perreault ruled today that there had been unreasonable delays in getting the case to trial.

The former provincial Liberal politician and five others were arrested in March 2016 by the province's anti-corruption unit on charges including fraud, corruption and breach of trust.

Normandeau and her co-accused argued in July that delays in the case were unreasonable, citing a 2016 Supreme Court of Canada decision that set strict timelines for trials.

Five of the original charges against Normandeau and her co-accused had already been withdrawn, but the Crown wanted to proceed to trial on three counts, including breach of trust and fraud against the government.

The ruling today puts an end to the proceedings against Normandeau, her former chief of staff Bruno Lortie, ex-Roche engineer firm officials Marc-Yvan Cote, Mario W. Martel and France Michaud as well Francois Roussy, the former mayor of Gaspe, Que.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

Federal scientists are predicting a higher than average wildfire hazard for almost the entire country this summer. Their annual forecast says the risk will be highest in early summer in Western Canada.

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests

A new online poll suggests COVID-19 has damaged the trust Canadians have in their American neighbours, while U.S. residents have more faith in their northern counterparts than they do in themselves. The poll from Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies finds only 34 per cent of respondents expressed trust in Americans, compared with 58 per cent from a similar survey in November of last year.

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deflected questions Tuesday about why it took more than 12 hours for the Canadian Armed Forces to confirm a military helicopter had crashed and when he found out that horrified crew members on board a Halifax-class frigate had watched it go down.

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash

Scientists concerned focus on COVID-19 disrupting regular health research funds

Canada's health research granting agency has postponed its usual funding competition due to COVID-19, sparking concern the lack of money could disrupt regular health research. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research put off its regular $275 million competition this spring to focus on delivering federal grants related to the novel coronavirus.

Scientists concerned focus on COVID-19 disrupting regular health research funds

Qualtrough tells MPs Moms-to-be to get CERB Friday, Liberals say

Expecting mothers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 in March, and have since been unable to access emergency federal aid, will receive a key benefit once a fix comes into effect on Friday. Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough told MPs in an email today that changes to the system would be in place May 8 so some pregnant women can finally receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Qualtrough tells MPs Moms-to-be to get CERB Friday, Liberals say

Canada's COVID-19 death toll passes 4,000; feds announce help for farmers

The number of people in Canada killed by COVID-19 passed the 4,000 mark on Tuesday, as provinces eased anti-pandemic restrictions and the government announced new aid for farmers. The grim fatality milestone came as the country's two largest provinces each reported a jump in novel coronavirus-related deaths, although the overall increase in new cases was relatively modest.