(Ottawa) Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino defends the decision of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) not to release details surrounding the death of the man accused in the stabbing that occurred in Saskatchewan.
Posted at 8:48 p.m.
Mr. Mendicino says he understands the sense of urgency people feel over how Myles Sanderson died after being arrested on a stretch of rural highway in the province on September 7.
RCMP said Myles Sanderson suffered “medical distress” and died in custody, but they did not release the cause of his death.
Saskatchewan RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said further details will not be released until Saskatoon police and a provincial police watchdog complete their investigation.
Myles Sanderson has been charged with first degree murder after 11 people were killed and 18 others injured in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan. Mr Sanderson’s brother, Damien Sanderson, is among the dead. Police named him a suspect before finding his body near another scene.
“There were a number of significant flaws in the system here that need to be fixed,” Minister Mendicino acknowledged on Tuesday.
“The only way we will be able to solve this problem is to have an independent investigation by the competent authorities, which is exactly the process we are following at the moment. »
The Correctional Service of Canada and the Parole Board of Canada are launching a joint investigation into Mr. Sanderson’s case, examining why and how he was released from prison and whether the proper processes were followed. They said the findings will be made public.
Parole papers show Myles Sanderson had a lengthy criminal history, including 59 convictions as an adult. According to court records, this includes a violent incident in 2015 when he was accused of attacking one of those killed in the recent stabbing massacre in Saskatchewan.
Myles Sanderson was released from his first federal prison sentence in August 2021. He was on parole, which requires people to follow strict conditions and allows them to be released from prison after serving two-thirds of their sentence in the hope that they will reintegrate into society.
In May this year, the Correctional Service declared him unlawfully at large and issued an arrest warrant for him.
Speaking in the House of Commons earlier on Tuesday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said while he believes in rehabilitation, the system needs to better protect communities from repeat violent offenders.
Mr Poilievre, who during his speech said he was keen not to say Mr Sanderson’s name, said sympathy for those left behind by the victims would not be enough.
“It is time for these failures to end. It is time for our words to turn into actions,” he said.
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said she spent time last week with community members affected by the James Smith Cree Nation tragedy and promised the government would be there for them. help in their recovery.