Reporter arrested after complaint

Radio-Canada says it is standing behind a reporter who was arrested this week after the subject of a story he was working on lodged a complaint with police.

The CBC’s French-language network said the complaint against Antoine Trepanier stems from calls and emails he sent seeking reaction to a story about the head of the chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters in western Quebec.

Gatineau police wouldn’t discuss the particulars of Tuesday’s complaint.

“The alleged victim wrote a formal statement indicating fear for her safety as a result of threats received and repeated communications from a man,” the force said in a release.

“Judging the statement credible and following analysis of the evidence, a police officer telephoned the individual to inform him he was the subject of a criminal harassment complaint.”

The network said the complainant was Yvonne Dube, who is executive director of the organization’s Gatineau chapter and the subject of the interview requests.

The broadcaster’s investigation involved an Ontario court decision that said Dube falsely passed herself off as a lawyer between September 2011 and March 2012.

Radio-Canada said the reporter first contacted Dube on Monday and spoke to her for 20 minutes. The network said she initially agreed to an on-camera interview before backing out. The reporter then emailed her again Tuesday to give her another chance for an interview.

The complaint was filed later that day and the reporter was called to the police station in the Hull district.

Accompanied by two managers, Trepanier was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court June 20.

Gatineau police said it would be up to the Crown to decide whether charges would be filed.

Trepanier is not permitted to contact Dube and must notify police of any change in address or employment.