Last week the Corneliu affair. This week the Éric Lapointe affair. Two cases involving public figures on trial sparked public debate about the justice system. And two cases that make us wonder if justice is the same for a star and for a “regular guy.”
JUSTICE DELIVERED
Last week, singer Corneliu Munteanu pleaded guilty to unknowingly drugging Meggie Lagacé and then doing the same to a man three years later. He was sentenced to 100 days in prison.
On Meggie Lagacé's Instagram account, I was challenged by the following passage: “I had a constant desire to denounce him, but the process seemed almost insurmountable. […] I chose to trust the justice system and was surrounded by dedicated and compassionate people throughout the process. I was told the words “I believe you,” which did me a lot of good. Was it an attempt? Absolutely. Was I sometimes frustrated? Absolutely. Was I well supported every step of the way? Absolutely too. The entire legal process was, in a sense, a kind of therapy for me.” She then thanked the investigators, the public prosecutors and CAVAC.
Here we have a victim who decides to go to the police instead of reporting on social media. And she got justice. Not all police officers are bastards, as supporters of the slogan ACAB (All Police Officers Are Bastards) want.
- Listen to the interview with Léa Clermont-Dion, documentary filmmaker and author on Sophie Durocher's show QUB :
CANCELLATION CULTURE
But this week we learned that a free concert by Éric Lapointe has been removed from the VictoFest program due to outrage from some organizations. On the other hand, Lapointe will still be present on one of the paid evenings of the festival.
I read the statement by the general director of La Volte-Face, an organization that helps victims of domestic violence, Julie Croteau.
“What message are we sending to victims when we provide a showcase for perpetrators of violence?”
I would like to reverse Ms. Croteau's question: “What message are we sending to the guilty when we refuse to provide rehabilitation to the perpetrators of violence?”
As you know, in the interview he gave me on TVA, Éric Lapointe admitted the facts (simple assault on a woman in 2019) and explained: “It is not the alcohol that committed the crime, but me” , “I’ll never regret it.” it’s enough”.
He pleaded guilty and received a conditional discharge. He has no criminal record.
- Listen to the Durocher-Dutrizac meeting with Sophie Durocher QUB radio :
Is there different levels of justice for public figures?
If Éric Lapointe were a farm worker or a beneficiary, would society prohibit him from working? Would organizations shine a spotlight on him even after he pleaded guilty and went to trial?
I'm not defending Eric Lapointe, I'm defending a principle: the rule of law.
A SECOND SENTENCE
There has been a lot of talk in recent years about “restoring trust” in our justice system.
But if civil society continues to punish people indefinitely after they have been brought to justice and deny them the right to rehabilitation, we should instead talk about “restoring trust” in our society.