Mendicino’s office only informed of Bernardo transfer through 'generic communications products,' spokesperson says
CTV
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino’s office said Wednesday evening that it first learned of the potential transfer of Paul Bernardo this March through 'generic communications products,' but specifics of the transfer had not been confirmed at the time and the minister wasn’t personally aware of the transfer until months later.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino’s office said Wednesday evening that it first learned of the potential transfer of Paul Bernardo this March, but specifics of the transfer had not been confirmed at the time and the minister wasn’t personally aware of the transfer until months later.
Mendicino and his office have come under scrutiny in recent days over the handling of the case, which has sparked outrage across Canada and reopened old wounds for the families of victims who have also seen their perpetrators transferred to lower-security facilities in recent years.
In a statement to CTV News, Audrey Champoux, press secretary and senior communications advisor in Mendicino’s office, said the office first learned of the potential transfer of Bernardo, a notorious serial rapist and killer, through “generic communications products” on March 2.
Champoux said this came after the minister’s office received a request from the prime minister’s office discussing the potential transfer and requesting further information.
“At this point, specifics of the transfer had not been confirmed. Staff examined possible options for potentially changing the independent decision over the subsequent period, and were informed there weren’t any,” she said in a statement to CTV News Wednesday evening.
Champoux said Mendicino was personally informed of Bernardo’s transfer to a medium-security prison in Quebec on May 30, the day after Bernardo was actually transferred by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).
“He immediately requested to speak to the (CSC commissioner), and a meeting was arranged at the earliest possible opportunity,” she added.
