Criminals like ex-priest Dejaeger ‘should rot in jail:’ cabinet minister
Federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister, justice minister both express sympathy for former priest’s victims
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller said people like ex-priest Eric Dejaeger “should rot in jail,” following his May 19 early release from prison. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller expressed frustration Wednesday over disgraced ex-priest Eric Dejaeger’s early release from prison.
“I think people like that … should rot in jail, especially for the crimes they committed,” Miller said at a government announcement when asked about the development in the infamous Nunavut case.
Dejaeger, 75, was given a statutory release from prison on May 19 after serving two-thirds of a 19-year sentence for sex crimes he committed against Inuit youth and some adults between 1974 and 1982.
While the release occurred in May, news outlets across Canada reported the release on Tuesday.
A decision from the Parole Board of Canada noted Dejaeger “used physical violence and caused serious physical injuries to some of the victims.”
Miller expressed his feelings about the decision at a press conference in Ottawa where he and federal Justice Minister David Lametti were announcing a special interlocutor for the protection of residential school burial sites.
The Liberal cabinet minister paused a few times to gather his thoughts. He expressed sadness to Dejaeger’s victims and what they might be going through right now.
“It must be devastating, I don’t believe this person necessarily paid enough time in jail for his crimes, but again, that’s not a decision that’s made by people like me,” Miller said.
“My heart goes out to the survivors and those that this person hurt.”
Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, was also at the press conference and addressed Dejaeger’s release.
“This has to be very hard for those that believed in a justice system that ultimately did convict, but then a parole system that has allowed somebody who abused children to only serve two-thirds of a sentence,” he said.
“It’s sad to see somebody serve so little time when they hurt so many people’s lives for the rest of their lives.”
Lametti, as justice minister, also shared some of his thoughts on Dejaeger’s release. While he echoed a sentiment of sympathy for the victims, Lametti said he believes Canada’s justice system is still the best in the world.
“I believe in our parole system and I believe in the manner in which these cases are administered, and I would hope that those people deciding that case took into account the real harm that was suffered by the victims and survivors of this person before according that parole,” he said.
“I am one of the people that is the face of that system of justice in Canada and I do believe, I truly believe, that it is one of the best systems in the world, notwithstanding an outcome like this that I know is going to hurt people.”
This is not the first time Dejaeger has been released from prison. Previously, he served a five-year sentence starting in 1990 for sex-related crimes he committed between 1982 and 1989.
In 1995, he fled to Belgium at the end of his first prison sentence to avoid prosecution on other charges before being deported back to Canada in 2011.
Yes he should rot in jail, but because of criminal justice reform that his party supported, dangourous criminals like this man are being released far too early. If he really cared about the victims and their family’s, he should introduce new laws making sure these types of sick criminals never get to see the light of day ever again, and literally rot in jail.
Disgusting that he is released early. Don’t care that he’s old. He should rot in jail and serve the rest of his sentence
We should just leave all judgment calls to Cabinet Ministers like Marc Miller. Who needs judges? Who needs parole boards? Let’s just have Cabinet Minister be judge jury executioner and parole board.
.
Marc, you’re a lawyer and should no better than to bring the systems of Justice, systems your government has put in place and is responsible for, into disrepute.
.
No one likes parole, but this is the system we designed and signed onto with the Charter and Constitution. Don’t like the rules Marc? Go changes the law, you’re a cabinet Marc.
Imagine all Inuit would be part of a tougher justice system and not always ruled by slap on the hands. There are many historical crimes committed by Inuit over the years and no punishment, or a ridiculous low sentence was applied. Watch what you wish for
Imagine all whiteys would be part of a tougher justice system and not always ruled by slap on the hands. There are many many historical crimes committed by whiteys over the years and no punishment, or a ridiculous low sentence was applied. Watch what you wish for
See, the point that you were trying to make is valid – good on you.
However, going with a racist slur like you did detracted from your point.
Race shouldn’t matter, sick people like them deserve to rot in jail. no protective custody, rot with the rest of general population.
Back in 2016, Liberals made changes to the vulnerable sector check program which made it easier for sex offenders to work with children and the elderly. Have also made corporations avoid being charged with serious crimes; bribery, corruption, inside trading with a “deferred prosecution agreement’. Supreme Court of Canada has ruled voluntary intoxication of drugs or alcohol can be used as deference and reduced sentencing or no jail time in sexual abuse and violent crimes. Even Mass murders in Canada now can be released after 25 years. Look at court rosters across Nunavut and it’s sexual assault after another month after month after year. Where’s the outrage?
This is absolutely insane. This creep abused children not only in Igloolik, but also in Baker Lake and Alberta – and I would bet my life’s savings that he did it every other place he lived & worked as well.
This is the kind of scum that shout rot in a dark, damp cell forever, with no human contact.
Marc want’s “in” … so he plucks a low hanging fruit like this and screams “look everyone, look at me!”
Lovely, now we have Ministers of the Crown making negative public comments about the Justice system.! How about Miller just keeps his trap shut and leaves the opining to the expert i.e. the Minister of Justice? This bald faced pandering for the hearts and minds of the Indigenous community has gotta stop it is ruining Miller’s credibility.