Sentencing for ex-priest who admitted to indecent assaults of Nunavut children

By Canadian Press on January 30, 2025.

IQALUIT — A Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to indecent assault against seven Inuit children more than four decades ago has asked for forgiveness.

Eric Dejaeger stood in an Iqaluit courtroom and made brief remarks before Justice Faiyaz Alibhai was to hand down his sentence.

The 77-year-old Dejaeger told the court he’s sorry for the cruel things he has done and that he hasn’t reoffended for 40 years.

He says he’s a changed person and he’s had a lot of time to think during his years in prison for other sexual offences against children.

Crown and defence lawyers jointly recommended a six-year prison sentence for Dejaeger

Court heard the assaults on six girls and one boy took place between 1978 and 1982 in the hamlet of Igloolik, Nvt.

In victim impact statements last week, the five surviving complainants gave harrowing accounts of the abuse and described how it caused addiction, mental-health struggles, poor self-esteem and mistrust.

The youngest victim to speak was four when the abuse started, and others were between six and nine.

Dejaeger was previously convicted of dozens more offences against children and adults in Nunavut and Alberta.

The Canadian Press