Former Kangiqsualujjuaq teacher faces 19 sexual abuse charges

A former teacher in Kangiqsualujjuaq is facing 19 charges relating to the sexual abuse of boys in the community during the 1970s and 80s.

Nunatsiaq News has learned that Pierre-Paul Bélanger, 68, of Montreal was charged in January for a variety of offenses against young male students when he was a teacher in the community.

The 19 separate charges involve seven adolescent and pre-teen boys, all minors at the time.

The offenses are alleged to have occurred from 1973 to 1979 and from 1981 to 1983.

Bélanger is charged with sodomy, sexual interference and gross indecency in the case of five alleged victims and sexual interference and gross indecency in the case of two of the alleged victims.

The case first came on to the court docket on Feb. 2 in Kuujjuaq, but the first appearance was delayed until Apr. 20 in Kuujjuaq.