Former Calgary educator Mario Joseph Denis Arsenault has been found guilty of sexually assaulting and exploiting a teenage student more than two decades ago, marking a long-awaited conclusion to a case that has spanned over twenty years.
Court Delivers Verdict in French
In a ruling delivered in French on Monday, Justice Francine Roy of the Alberta Court of Justice convicted Arsenault, 59, on charges of sexual assault and two counts of sexual exploitation. The crimes occurred between August 2000 and April 2003 when the victim was a Grade 9 student at Ecole Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys.
Abuse of Trust and Authority
The court heard how the now 39-year-old woman, who cannot be identified, developed a relationship with Arsenault during his first year of teaching. Justice Roy explicitly stated that where Arsenault's testimony conflicted with the complainant's, she accepted the victim's account as truthful.
The judge noted that while the student admitted to having a "crush" on her teacher, this in no way excused his predatory behavior. "It is not unusual for a child to develop a crush on a teacher," Roy remarked, quoting from established case law, emphasizing that the responsibility falls entirely on the adult in positions of authority.
Pattern of Grooming and Abuse
The victim testified in August that the relationship began innocently with shared lunches where Arsenault would inquire about her home life. The situation escalated during a bus strike when he arranged to drive her to and from school, a practice that continued even after the strike ended.
What began as inappropriate touching eventually evolved into a full sexual relationship, the court found. Justice Roy emphasized that "the sexual relationship which occurred in this case did not evolve out of a chance meeting after graduation," highlighting the calculated nature of the exploitation.
Sentencing and Potential Appeal
Neither Arsenault nor his defence lawyer, Sarah Brouillette, were physically present in the Calgary courtroom for the verdict, instead attending remotely from Brouillette's Quebec City office. Justice Roy also appeared via Webex to deliver her decision.
A sentencing date will be set on December 1. Defence counsel indicated she will likely seek a judicial stay on some convictions, arguing they relate to the same set of facts. The case continues to underscore the lasting impact of historical sexual abuse within educational institutions.
