The Winnipeg Police say a 53-year-old man originally from New Brunswick has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, who was reported missing on August 9 of last year and her body was recovered just over one week later from the Red River.
Raymond Joseph Cormier has been living in Winnipeg and was on arrested on Wednesday in the Vancouver area. Police say that he has many convictions from across Canada which police say range from simple breaches to serious violent offences.
Deputy Chief of the Winnipeg Police Danny Smyth says the police, “are just as shocked and outraged by the violence we observe directed at women in general, and the violence we observe directed at indigenous women and children in particular.”
Fontaine’s death sparked renewed calls for a public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.
David Langtry, the Acting Chief Commisioner of the Human Rights Commission issued a statement on August 19, 2014 in response to the discovery of Fontaine’s body. He said, “it is time for a full public inquiry into the root causes of so many deaths and disappearances of Aboriginal women and girls.”
The province of Manitoba releasing a statement commending the Winnipeg police for making an arrest in the case.
Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross says, “The cowardly murder of Tina Fontaine ended the dreams of a young life, was devasting for her family and shocked all of Canada.” Irvin-Ross adding, “we were pleased to see the federal government move quickly towards the formation of a national inquiry. Tina’s life and tragic death reaffirm our commitment to exploring every avenue to end the violence towards women and girls in our communities.”
Meantime, Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman, the city’s first aboriginal mayor, also releasing a statement. He thanks the Winnipeg police for “its ongoing commitment and hard work investigating the tragic death of Tina Fontaine.” He continues, “I cannot begin to imagine the pain Tina’s loved ones have been feeling, and must be feeling at this time. After more than a year of investigation, I hope that this arrest can bring them some long awaited peace.”
