Why has Peter Nygard not been charged in Manitoba?

With Peter Nygard being charged in Ontario and in the United States, many are wondering why he has never been charged in Manitoba, considering that there have been accusations of sexual assault going back to 1977 (and with some recent evidence showing that this may even date back to 1968 in Manitoba). My question on Friday November 26th and the Minister's response are below (from Hansard).

Peter Nygård Assault Allegations
Inquiry into Filing Charges in Manitoba

Hon. Jon Gerrard (River Heights): Madam Speaker, with allegations of sexual assault against Peter Nygård dating back to 1977–44 years ago–why was there not a proper investigation and charges laid against Peter Nygård many years ago in Manitoba?

We have women from Manitoba who have come forward. We have excellent investigators in our city and RCMP forces.

I ask the Minister of Justice: When was the first investigation into Peter Nygård started in Manitoba, and is there a possibility that, at some point in the investigation, someone higher up prevented the investigation from proceeding further?

Hon. Cameron Friesen (Minister of Justice and Attorney General): Madam Speaker, the Liberal leader and the member for River Heights know better than this. They know the fundamental premise on which our system is grounded is the very fact of judicial independence.

Those members know that there are very serious charges against an accused right now. Those charges are complex and heard in multiple jurisdictions. It is involving things like extradition orders. We know it would be completely inappropriate to comment in this place or reflect on the work of police, of the judicial branch, of the prosecution services. This court–the courts will decide the case, not the member for River Heights.

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Comparison between Manitoba and South Dakota shows dramatic impact of Physical Distancing

Manitoba implemented physical distancing measures in mid-March. South Dakota has still not made physical distancing mandatory. The result is a dramatic difference in the incidence of covid-19 viral infections between the two jurisdictions. This graph shows the number of people with Covid-19 infections from March 27 to April 14. Manitoba ( red line ) started leveling off about April 4 and has seen only a small increase in Covid-19 infections since then. South Dakota ( blue line ) has seen a dramatic increase in Covid-19 infections since April 4. Those who are skeptical of the impact of physical distancing in Manitoba should look at this graph! Data are from the Johns Hopkins daily tabulations

Pushing for safe consumption sites and safe supply to reduce overdose deaths

On Monday June 20th, Thomas Linner of the Manitoba Health Coalition, Arlene Last-Kolb Regional Director of Moms Stop the Harm and Winnipeg City Councillor Sherri Rollins were at the Manitoba Legislature to advocate for better measures to reduce deaths from drug overdoses, most particularly for safe consumption sites and for a safe supply, measures which can reduce overdose deaths.

There is an imperative to have a provincial plan to ensure every child learns to read

Too many Manitoba children with learning disabilities like dyslexia are not being identified and helped early on starting in Kindergarten and grades 1 and 2. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that it is the provinces responsibility to ensure that every child learns to read, and even when, in the case of a child with dyslexia intensive intervention is needed. In 12 years Manitoba has failed to produce a provincial plan to address this issue. We are holding a Forum (see below) on this subject. Please come out to the Forum. There is no cost. Everyone is welcome. To learn more about the need to do better helping children, youth and adults with a learning disability click on this link

The Gerrard Report

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