Saturday, December 13, 2025
ADVT 
National

Paul Bernardo denied parole after victims' families plead he be kept behind bars

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Nov, 2024 02:43 PM
  • Paul Bernardo denied parole after victims' families plead he be kept behind bars

Notorious killer Paul Bernardo has been denied parole for a third time following a hearing before the Parole Board of Canada.

The parole board noted that while Bernardo has made some progress during incarceration, there is still significant concern about his risk of sexual recidivism and his narcissistic personality disorder, given the "extremely violent" nature of his crimes. 

Bernardo, who is designated a dangerous offender, is serving an indeterminate life sentence for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 15-year-old Kristen French and 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy in the early 1990s near St. Catharines, Ont.

The 60-year-old told the board he was primarily seeking day parole at a halfway house, or at a minimum, escorted absences from prison so that he can attend a community program for sex offenders. 

The victims' families made an impassioned case against Bernardo's bid for release, and said they have been re-traumatized every time his parole hearings come up.

At the end of a daylong hearing at the La Macaza Institution in Quebec where Bernardo is currently held, the parole board reached its decision after approximately 30 minutes of deliberation.

MORE National ARTICLES

Creditors to vote on proposed $32.5B tobacco settlement in December

Creditors to vote on proposed $32.5B tobacco settlement in December
Creditors of three major tobacco companies will get the chance to weigh in on a proposed multi-billion-dollar settlement in December. An Ontario court has approved a motion that would see representatives for the creditors, which include provincial governments and plaintiffs in two Quebec class-action lawsuits, review and vote on the proposal on Dec. 12.

Creditors to vote on proposed $32.5B tobacco settlement in December

Union talks underway between foremen, employers to avoid latest B.C. port strike

Union talks underway between foremen, employers to avoid latest B.C. port strike
Both the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 confirm talks are ongoing with the help of federal mediation services. The current negotiation session began on Oct. 29 and was said to be extendable by two days, if necessary.

Union talks underway between foremen, employers to avoid latest B.C. port strike

One pedestrian dead, another hurt in separate crashes in Calgary

One pedestrian dead, another hurt in separate crashes in Calgary
A man is dead and a woman is in serious condition after two recent pedestrian collisions in Calgary. Police say a man in his 50s was riding a mobility scooter in a parking lot on Saturday when he was hit by an SUV.

One pedestrian dead, another hurt in separate crashes in Calgary

Drug seizure at a Langford home

Drug seizure at a Langford home
Police on Vancouver Island say a search of a home in Langford earlier this month netted a haul of drugs, cash and weapons including a pair of nunchucks.  West Shore R-C-M-P say officers from multiple units searched the home due to suspected drug trafficking activity on October 11th. 

Drug seizure at a Langford home

Bylaw patrols boosted for in Surrey

Bylaw patrols boosted for in Surrey
The City of Surrey says it's boosting bylaw patrols as Halloween and Diwali celebrations fall on the same day this year. The city says the patrols will focus on fireworks regulations. 

Bylaw patrols boosted for in Surrey

What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights? How is it celebrated in India and the diaspora?

What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights? How is it celebrated in India and the diaspora?
This year, the holiday is being celebrated on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. In the U.S., Diwali falls on Halloween this year, which has triggered quite a few #Diwaloween memes on social media where some celebrants can be seen lighting diyas in their scary costumes or handing out laddoos to trick-or-treaters.

What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights? How is it celebrated in India and the diaspora?