Lawyer suggests jail term for former student leader
QUEBEC — Justice Denis Jacques of Quebec Superior Court heard sentencing arguments Friday after he found Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois in contempt of court for urging students opposed to a tuition hike to block access to classes during Quebec’s tuition dispute.
Lawyer Maxime Roy, representing Jean-François Morasse, who obtained an injunction allowing him to return to class, called for a 30-day prison sentence or 150 hours of community work for Nadeau-Dubois, who was then a spokesman for CLASSE, the Coalition large de l’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante.
Giuseppe Sciortino, representing Nadeau-Dubois, argued his client should not be sentenced to “even one hour in prison,” saying imprisonment would make him a “scapegoat.”
If community work is imposed, Sciortino suggested no more than 20 hours, or perhaps a small fine, adding that the judge also has the option of imposing no punishment.
Roy argued that an April video of a speech by NadeauDubois denigrates the legal profession.
Morasse sought and won a contempt of court judgment against Nadeau-Dubois. He argued that by urging students to block access to his classroom during Quebec’s tuition dispute, Nadeau defied a court injunction Morasse won.
Nadeau-Dubois says he will appeal the conviction, arguing he was not counselling violation of the injunction, he was just expressing an opinion.
Roy had asked to show the video during the trial. Justice Jacques agreed then with Sciortino that it was not admissible.
In his April speech, Nadeau-Dubois thanked thenpremier Jean Charest for giving students confidence in themselves by creating conditions for a student “strike.”
He also said students had the right to block “those with parents rich enough to hire a lawyer” from entering class.
In his closing remarks, Justice Jacques said he would not be judging a popularity contest. He would rule on “the facts and the law.”
He added that it was “clearly unacceptable” for NadeauDubois to criticize citizens who turn to the courts.
Sciortino added that both he and Nadeau-Dubois “totally agree” with the judge on that point.
Nadeau-Dubois told reporters: “I cannot deny saying those words. Everything is recorded.”
Supporters have contributed over $85,300 toward his legal costs.
“I have felt unbelievable support by thousands of students, or workers, of citizens that have emailed, that have sent me letters, gifts even,” Nadeau-Dubois said. “And I want to thank them for that. It isn’t me and the sentence I might get. It’s about freedom of expression in Quebec. These are the arguments we are going to make in appeal.”