Latest news with #PeterNygard
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Winnipeg lawyer to represent Peter Nygard in Montreal sex assault, forcible confinement case
Former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard will now be represented by a Winnipeg lawyer on charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement he faces in Montreal. Defence lawyer Gerri Wiebe told a Quebec court Monday morning she'd gotten permission from the Quebec bar association to represent Nygard in the Montreal case. "I have communicated to my learned friend, [prosecutor Jérôme] Laflamme, that I will seek the disclosure from previous counsel and review it," said Wiebe, who appeared in court by video. "And then he and I can have a conversation about the expected trial length, as well as any pretrial motions and the scheduling of when those should occur." Wiebe is also representing Nygard on similar charges he faces in Winnipeg, and served as his counsel during sentencing in Toronto after he was convicted of sexual assault there last year. She joins the Montreal case after Nygard's previous legal counsel there ceased to represent him earlier this year. Nygard, who appeared in court Monday by video from the federal institution in Ontario where he is serving time, spoke only to identify himself when he first appeared on-screen and to answer a question about whether he agreed with Wiebe's suggestion to adjourn the case until October. "Yes I do, yes," said Nygard, who wore dark glasses and a baseball cap with what appeared to be a note reading "90% blind/deaf" on it. Nygard, who is in his 80s, previously appeared in court on the same matter in January for a preliminary hearing in the Montreal case. The founder of a defunct international women's clothing company is facing trial for incidents that allegedly took place between Nov. 1, 1997, and Nov. 15, 1998. Quebec prosecutors charged Nygard in March 2022. He was sentenced in September 2024 in the Toronto case to 11 years in prison after he was found guilty on four counts of sexual assault for offences from the 1980s to mid-2000s. During that sentencing, Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein called Nygard a "sexual predator" and "a Canadian success story gone very wrong." Nygard also faces sex-related charges in Manitoba, and U.S. authorities have sought his extradition on a nine-count indictment filed in New York, alleging he was involved in illegal activity for the purpose of sexually abusing and trafficking women and underage girls. The charges against Nygard in Manitoba and in the U.S. have not been tested in court. In November 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada announced it would not hear a request by Nygard for a judicial review of the order to extradite him to the U.S. In 2022, then-federal justice minister David Lametti ruled that Nygard could be extradited once his legal cases in Canada are settled.
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Judge rules abuse of process in Nygard case but Manitoba charges to continue
Published May 27, 2025 • 2 minute read Seen through a police vehicle window, Canadian-Finnish fashion mogul Peter Nygard leaves a courthouse in Toronto on Sept. 26, 2023. Photo by COLE BURSTON / AFP / Getty Images WINNIPEG — A judge has ruled a decision by Manitoba's former attorney general to review a criminal case against former fashion mogul Peter Nygard was an abuse of process. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Judge Mary Kate Harvie said in a decision Tuesday that Kelvin Goertzen, when he was attorney general with the former Progressive Conservative government, didn't do his due diligence in seeking a second opinion on a decision by the Crown not to lay charges. Charges were later laid against Nygard. The judge wrote Goertzen acted on 'partisan concerns. 'By proceeding in this manner and seeking a second opinion without an articulated basis, the attorney general undermined public confidence in Manitoba Prosecution Service counsel, and by extension the justice system, rather than improving it,' Harvie wrote. 'In order for the attorney general to respect and maintain the rule of law, he cannot be swayed by media criticism, petitions, public demonstrations or partisan concerns. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'At the end of the day every person, no matter how reviled, how notorious, how popular or unpopular, must receive equal treatment by the attorney general and by the justice system.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Nygard, who founded a now-defunct global women's clothing company in Winnipeg, was sentenced last year to 11 years for sex offences in Toronto. He also faces a trial on sex charges in Quebec as well as extradition to the United States on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges. In 2022, Goertzen sought the second opinion from Saskatchewan prosecutors after facing questions from legislators and the public about why charges against Nygard were not also pursued in Manitoba. Saskatchewan prosecutors recommended charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement proceed. Nygard was arrested on those charges the following year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Despite the abuse of process, Harvie ruled Nygard's case can proceed in court. The defence had asked for a stay of proceedings, but the judge said she didn't consider a stay 'to be an appropriate remedy. 'While it does not necessarily assist the accused in this case, I am satisfied that the appropriate message has been sent with respect to the actions of the attorney general and the method of obtaining a second opinion,' she wrote. Goertzen said in a statement it would be inappropriate to comment on the case as it's still before the courts. Read More Toronto Maple Leafs World Columnists World Canada
CBC
28-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Former Manitoba justice minister interfered in Nygard case: judge
A Manitoba judge has determined a serious abuse of process took place when Kelvin Goertzen, who was then the province's attorney general and justice minister, ordered a review in 2022 of a decision to not charge former fashion mogul Peter Nygard with sexual assault. However, the charges that Nygard faces as a result of that review will not be stayed.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Judge rules abuse of process in Nygard case but Manitoba charges to continue
Peter Nygard arrives at a courthouse in Toronto on Tuesday, Oct.3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston WINNIPEG — WINNIPEG — A judge has ruled a decision by Manitoba's former attorney general to review a criminal case against former fashion mogul Peter Nygard was an abuse of process. Judge Mary Kate Harvie said in a decision Tuesday that Kelvin Goertzen, when he was attorney general with the former Progressive Conservative government, didn't do his due diligence in seeking a second opinion on a decision by the Crown not to lay charges. Charges were later laid against Nygard. The judge wrote Goertzen acted on 'partisan concerns.' 'By proceeding in this manner and seeking a second opinion without an articulated basis, the attorney general undermined public confidence in Manitoba Prosecution Service counsel, and by extension the justice system, rather than improving it,' Harvie wrote. 'In order for the attorney general to respect and maintain the rule of law, he cannot be swayed by media criticism, petitions, public demonstrations or partisan concerns. 'At the end of the day every person, no matter how reviled, how notorious, how popular or unpopular, must receive equal treatment by the attorney general and by the justice system.' Nygard, who founded a now-defunct global women's clothing company in Winnipeg, was sentenced last year to 11 years for sex offences in Toronto. He also faces a trial on sex charges in Quebec as well as extradition to the United States on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. In 2022, Goertzen sought the second opinion from Saskatchewan prosecutors after facing questions from legislators and the public about why charges against Nygard were not also pursued in Manitoba. Saskatchewan prosecutors recommended charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement proceed. Nygard was arrested on those charges the following year. Despite the abuse of process, Harvie ruled Nygard's case can proceed in court. The defence had asked for a stay of proceedings, but the judge said she didn't consider a stay 'to be an appropriate remedy.' 'While it does not necessarily assist the accused in this case, I am satisfied that the appropriate message has been sent with respect to the actions of the attorney general and the method of obtaining a second opinion,' she wrote. Goertzen said in a statement it would inappropriate to comment on the case as it's still before the courts. — By Jeremy Simes in Regina This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Judge rules abuse of process in Nygard case but Manitoba charges to continue
Peter Nygard arrives at a courthouse in Toronto on Tuesday, Oct.3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston WINNIPEG — WINNIPEG — A judge has ruled a decision by Manitoba's former attorney general to review a criminal case against former fashion mogul Peter Nygard was an abuse of process. Judge Mary Kate Harvie said in a decision Tuesday that Kelvin Goertzen, when he was attorney general with the former Progressive Conservative government, didn't do his due diligence in seeking a second opinion on a decision by the Crown not to lay charges. Charges were later laid against Nygard. The judge wrote Goertzen acted on 'partisan concerns.' 'By proceeding in this manner and seeking a second opinion without an articulated basis, the attorney general undermined public confidence in Manitoba Prosecution Service counsel, and by extension the justice system, rather than improving it,' Harvie wrote. 'In order for the attorney general to respect and maintain the rule of law, he cannot be swayed by media criticism, petitions, public demonstrations or partisan concerns. 'At the end of the day every person, no matter how reviled, how notorious, how popular or unpopular, must receive equal treatment by the attorney general and by the justice system.' Nygard, who founded a now-defunct global women's clothing company in Winnipeg, was sentenced last year to 11 years for sex offences in Toronto. He also faces a trial on sex charges in Quebec as well as extradition to the United States on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. In 2022, Goertzen sought the second opinion from Saskatchewan prosecutors after facing questions from legislators and the public about why charges against Nygard were not also pursued in Manitoba. Saskatchewan prosecutors recommended charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement proceed. Nygard was arrested on those charges the following year. Despite the abuse of process, Harvie ruled Nygard's case can proceed in court. The defence had asked for a stay of proceedings, but the judge said she didn't consider a stay 'to be an appropriate remedy.' 'While it does not necessarily assist the accused in this case, I am satisfied that the appropriate message has been sent with respect to the actions of the attorney general and the method of obtaining a second opinion,' she wrote. Goertzen said in a statement it would inappropriate to comment on the case as it's still before the courts. — By Jeremy Simes in Regina This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
