Manitoba seeks second opinion on Nygard investigation
Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen has ordered a second opinion on whether local charges should be brought against disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
“I thought it was important for people’s confidence in the justice system. I felt it important because I had concerns,” Goertzen said Thursday.
The Manitoba justice department has been directed to canvas other provinces to find a Crown attorney’s office willing and able to review alleged sex crimes investigated by the Winnipeg Police Service in 2020.
TIM SMITH / BRANDON SUN FILES
Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen has ordered a second opinion on whether local charges should be brought against disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
Eight case files were then forwarded to Manitoba prosecutors for review. However, complainants learned last fall the Crown would not pursue charges against Nygard.
In Toronto, meanwhile, Nygard is awaiting trial after being charged with eight counts of sexual assault and three counts of forcible confinement, alleged to have occurred between October 1987 and March 2006.
He also faces sex-related charges in the U.S. and Quebec.
Nygard, 81, has denied the allegations.
Earlier this week, alleged victims and their advocates held a news conference to call for a new investigation and an independent inquiry into the handling of the complaints in Manitoba.
Goertzen said discussions have been happening for several weeks about the possibility for an internal review of the Crown’s decision or even a news conference to explain why charges were not pursued in Manitoba. However, the minister determined an external review and opinion was the best path forward.
“It bothered me that we were seeing charges in other places, but there might be good reasons,” the attorney general said. “We need to ensure that people can both feel that the process has been proper and have confidence in the system regardless of the outcome.”
Goertzen said bringing in out-of-province justice officials to review evidence maintains the independence of the process, while addressing the concerns and questions raised by complainants.
“I’ve lost some sleep over this as well,” Goertzen said. “We’ve all seen the allegations, we’ve all heard from those who’ve come forward with their stories, and it’s bothered me.”
KC Allan said news that her complaint, and others filed with WPS, will be looked at a second time is a light on a long path that has been challenging to navigate.
ALEANDRA NEWBOULD / CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Eight case files were then forwarded to Manitoba prosecutors for review. However, complainants learned last fall the Crown would not pursue charges against Nygard.
Allan, 59, accused accused Nygard of violently raping her in 1979, when she was 17. Her complaint was investigated by WPS and forwarded to prosecutors, but did not result in charges.
She was joined by at least three other women who have accused Nygard of assault and Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont at the news event Monday to call for a new investigation and inquiry.
“This is a civil rights issue. Victims of gender-based violence deserve all the rights and protections of other minority groups,” Allan said Thursday. “The way we treat the most vulnerable in our society defines our humanity. My heart is doing backflips.”
Goertzen said he is committed to providing as much information as he legally can to the public should the out-of-province opinion produce the same result. He was unsure Thursday how long the process may take.
Lamont said he was pleased to hear the justice minister will engage outside Crown attorneys. Though the decision was long past due, “it’s never too late to do the right thing,” the St. Boniface MLA said.
“This is absolutely a step forward. I won’t say it often, but I will congratulate the minister of justice, because I think there’s a strong possibility that what he is doing right now, especially if it results in new charges… could save lives.”
Credit: Manitoba seeks second opinion on Nygard investigation
