Murder of Tina Fontaine: protests held in several cities of the country

Archival photograph, Courtesy Facebook

QMI agency

Saturday 24 February 2018 16:39

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Saturday 24 February 2018 16:41

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The acquittal of a man accused of the murder of an aboriginal girl in Winnipeg, Manitoba, continues to provoke strong reactions across the country.

Demonstrations were held Saturday in several cities of the country, including Montreal, to honour Tina Fontaine, a 15 year old girl found dead in August 2014 in the Red river, in Winnipeg.

Raymond Cormier was charged with the second degree murder of the girl from the First Nation, Sagkeeng. Detained since the end of 2015, the 56 year old man was found not guilty Thursday by 11 jurors.

At trial, witnesses have stated that they had seen the accused in the company of the young woman in the days preceding his disappearance, at the beginning of August 2014.

Shortly after the verdict, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Perry Bellegarde, has spoken of a “shock” and a “deep disappointment for First Nations across the country”.

“This verdict is a serious setback for justice and reconciliation in Canada. It is only a question of words: it is necessary to act, to value the lives of aboriginal people and ensure the safety of aboriginal women and girls”.

Kevin Hart, regional chief for Manitoba, Assembly of First Nations (AFN), called for “immediate measures to ensure the safety and security of aboriginal women and girls”.

Mr. Hart requested that the national Survey of women and girls missing and murdered aboriginal focuses on the families.

The acquittal of Raymond Cormier occurs a few weeks after the Saskatchewan Gerald Stanley acquitted of the murder of Colten Boushie, a young aboriginal girl of 22 years, took place in November 2016. The jury’s decision has raised an outcry on social media and in the aboriginal communities.

Shortly after, the minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould, the two ministers responsible for aboriginal affairs, Carolyn Bennett, and Jane Philpott, had shared their disappointment on social networks.

Both the office of the prime minister and the ministers concerned explained that they had wanted to express their compassion towards the family of the victim. Several law experts have however criticised the policy interventions in this folder, arguing that they undermined judicial independence in the country.