Ottawa has asked France to extradite a priest accused of crimes against children in Nunavut, the federal justice minister confirmed Wednesday as Pope Francis continued his tour of Canada. “Collaboration and collaboration are essential to address the shameful legacy of residential schools,” Justice Minister David Lametty said in a written statement. “We are working with Indigenous peoples to advance the important work of reconciliation in Canada,” he said, adding that “serious crimes [will] be fully investigated and prosecuted.” A Justice Department spokesman said the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Canada (PPSC) had submitted the extradition request for Johannes Rivoire, but did not say when or provide further details. Pope Francis is expected to travel to Nunavut this week as part of his visit to Canada. Inuit leaders called on the pontiff to personally intervene in the case of Rivoire, who was in Canada from the early 1960s until 1993, when he returned to France. Former Nunavut MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq holds a photo of Father Johannes Rivoire in July 2021 when he made public calls for the government to bring Rivoire to justice. (YouTube) RCMP said Rivoire is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with a new sexual assault charge filed in February. Nunavut RCMP said officers received the complaint last year about sexual assaults that allegedly happened about 47 years ago. Rivoire has previously avoided trial on multiple sexual abuse allegations connected to his time as a priest in Nunavut. A warrant was also issued for his arrest in 1998, but the charges remained in 2017. The PPSC said at the time that this was partly due to France’s reluctance to extradite. Inuit Tapiriit Kanata President Nathan Obed and Pope Francis during the welcoming ceremony in Edmonton on Sunday July 24, 2022. (Adam Scotti/Office of the Prime Minister) In March, Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said he asked the Pope during a meeting at the Vatican to speak directly to Rivoire and ask him to go to Canada to face the new charge. Obedt said he also asked the Pope to ask France to intervene if Rivoire is not receptive. On Wednesday, the French Embassy confirmed that Canadian judicial authorities had sent an extradition request for Rivoire to France. The embassy said the French justice ministry is currently processing the request and has asked Canadian officials for more information. Lametti did not elaborate on the extradition request, but noted in his statement that it is unusual for him to comment even if one has been made. “Extradition requests are considered confidential state-to-state communications and as a minister I cannot normally comment on whether a specific extradition request has been made,” Lametti said. “However, I am aware that an extradition request has been made public which was forwarded to France, which officials in my department have now confirmed.” Pope Francis is expected to visit Ikaluit on Friday, the last day of his visit to Canada. Support is available for anyone affected by residential schools and those triggered by the latest reports. The Indian Association of Residential School Survivors (IRSSS) can be reached toll free at 1-800-721-0066. A national crisis line for residential schools in India has been set up to provide support to ex-students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419. In addition, the NWT Helpline offers free support to residents of the Northwest Territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is 100% free and confidential. The NWT Helpline also has an option for follow-up calls. Residents can call the helpline at 1-800-661-0844. In Nunavut, the Kamatsiaqtut Helpline is open 24 hours a day at 1-800-265-3333. People are invited to call for any reason.
