Family of twins shot by Nunavik police call for justice at Montreal protest
CBC
Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged and words of solidarity were shared at a protest in Montreal on Saturday calling for justice for two brothers who were shot last month by police in Nunavik, Que.
Around 50 people, including members of the victims' family, gathered in the City of Westmount and marched to Premier François Legault's office, with many holding signs denouncing police brutality against Inuit in the Far North and others reading, "Justice for the twins."
Joshua Papigatuk, 26, was killed when Nunavik police opened fire on Nov. 4 in Salluit, Que. His twin brother, Garnet Papigatuk, was seriously injured and flown to hospital.
Courtney Papigatuk, the twins' second cousin, described Joshua as a "lovely, lovely man" who leaves behind a two-month-old daughter. She says Garnet is in recovery.
"Both Joshua and Garnet are very loved, very happy people who had so much to give to the world and to end a life like that with so much potential and so much happiness is really sick," she said.
She said she organized the protest to condemn police brutality in Nunavik, which she described as an epidemic.
Data from Quebec's chief coroner's office between 2000 and 2018 found Nunavik had more police-related deaths than any of Canada's three territories, despite having a population about one-third of each territory.
"We demand justice, we demand jail time, we demand repercussions for all the cops that have been shooting Indigenous people," Courtney said.
In the days after the shooting, demonstrations were held across Nunavik and people on social media posted the hashtags "justiceforjoshua" and "justiceforthetwins."
Two investigations are underway into the Nov. 4 police altercation — one by Quebec's police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), and the other by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
The BEI released early findings from its investigation the day after the shooting, which it said suggested Nunavik police officers responded to a call about someone attempting to drive while impaired.
A physical altercation ensued, with Tasers and pepper spray allegedly deployed before police drew their guns.
CBC spoke with one person who said they witnessed the whole incident and didn't see pepper spray or Tasers used. The person did not agree to have their name used.
On Friday, Nunavik's police chief pledged to implement every recommendation from the two investigations into the shooting once those final reports are presented.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forming a working group to tackle what it calls systemic issues in the justice system, but answers or solutions could still be months away.
A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in a 2024 fatal hit and run in Truro, N.S., where the victim was dragged down the street, a case that went unsolved for more than six months.
A stream of people showing up to a brightly lit front porch, each holding up a bottle of wine, spirits, or beer.
Sona Lakhoyan Olivier has been excluded from Quebec’s Liberal caucus for the duration of an investigation led by the National Assembly’s ethics commissioner, the party announced Thursday.
The head of the William Whyte Neighbourhood Association hopes a city plan to crack down on vacant properties leads to a transformation in his community.
Saskatchewan's justice minister is rejecting the latest legislative proposal from the NDP Opposition, one that the NDP says is a necessary check on government power.