Television host charged with sexual assault, harassment and forcible confinement

Quebec television producer and host Éric Salvail was charged Friday morning with sexual assault, criminal harassment and forcible confinement.

The accused did not appear in the Montreal courtroom and was represented by his lawyer during the proceeding, which lasted no more than a few minutes.

No plea was entered and the case is back in court on March 27.

Salvail is being represented by lawyer Michel Massicotte, who has already defended former SNC-Lavalin president Pierre Duhaime and other clients who had been accused of wrongdoing by Quebec’s anti-corruption unit.

Massicotte told the court he intended to convey a request to the Crown for additional evidence. Prosecutor Amélie Rivard said Salvail, 49, was subject to an order forbidding any contact between himself and the plaintiff, whose name has not been made public.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between April 1 and Nov. 30, 1993.

Salvail was arrested Jan. 15 by Montreal police and released after signing a promise to appear in court.

In October 2017, La Presse published a series of allegations levelled against Salvail by men and women who claimed they had been subjected to or witnessed sexual misconduct on the part of the popular television host. Ten of those who made the allegations were not identified, although one accuser did allow their name to be published.

Salvail announced soon after that he was taking a “professional pause” and has not been on air since.

None of the allegations against Salvail have been proven in court.