Internal emails reveal that senior officials within Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and Public Safety Canada were keen on keeping the impending transfer of serial killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison discreet. The emails also showed CSC’s intent to inform the families of Bernardo’s victims before the transfer, but the families’ lawyer stated that they were only notified afterward.
The news of Bernardo’s transfer from a maximum-security prison in late May surprised Canadians and caused controversy for the Liberal government. Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed they were not informed until the day of and after the transfer, respectively, despite their offices being aware of the possibility for months.
Global News obtained the emails through an access to information request, though only a limited amount of material was released. The emails indicated that the CSC communicated with certain individuals, including Public Safety Canada officials, advising them to keep the matter confidential.
Mendicino and Trudeau faced scrutiny for their handling of the situation, as their staff had been advised about the transfer since March and May 25. However, they allegedly did not inform the ministers until the day of or after the transfer.
The Conservative Party called for Mendicino’s resignation or for Trudeau to fire him, citing mismanagement of public safety matters. Both Mendicino’s office and CSC confirmed that they provided notification in the form of communications products to the minister’s office on May 25, before the May 29 transfer.
Bernardo, who has been serving a life sentence for the kidnappings, tortures, and murders of teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy in the early 1990s, also killed his then-wife Karla Homolka’s younger sister, Tammy Homolka.
Earlier, emails obtained by The Canadian Press revealed that Anne Kelly, the federal corrections commissioner, informed senior public safety officials three days before the transfer.
Despite the emails indicating CSC’s intent to inform the families of Bernardo’s victims in advance, the families’ lawyer stated that he only learned about the transfer after it had happened.
Global News contacted the lawyer for comment on the newly-obtained emails, and the media lines included in the emails matched the public statements released by CSC when the transfer became public, assuring careful consideration for public safety and noting that inmates can request transfers to other institutions.
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