Family of elder who was assaulted in Winnipeg demands change within justice system
Posted March 6, 2025 7:49 pm.
The family of 83-year-old elder Victoria Comeau want to see more effective measures to address the root causes of violence within the province, after their loved one was seriously assaulted walking in Winnipeg’s north end last month.
“At the end of the day your just left with this anger and you really don’t know where to point it,” said Joseph Fourre, son of elder Victoria Comeau.
On Feb. 25, Winnipeg police found Comeau suffering with serious lower-body injuries. She was sent to a hospital in stable condition and will now go down a path of rehabilitation.
Winnipeg police have since arrested a 27-year-old, at a home on Ross avenue. Police say the accused attacked Comeau, causing her to fall where he continued to assault her until a witness intervened.
While he’s in custody, he faces charges of aggravated assault and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.
“Should I be angry at him absolutely I am for what he did to my mother, but I am also angry at the system that was supposed to be designed to protect our most vulnerable,” said Fourre.
Fourre expressed concern over the growing issues related to drug-related violence in the area and highlighted the need for bail reform in the province. He believes incidents like the assault on his mother will continue to happen, unless the issues within the justice system are addressed.
“It goes right up to the federal level, we have to change, because innocent people are getting hurt and god forbid that someone should die, my mother came close to death that day,” said Fourre.
“An elder in our community to be assaulted in this way I think sickens us all to our stomachs,” said Matt Wiebe, minster of justice.
Wiebe says the province has implemented a five-point bail plan to strengthen the bail system. This includes directing the plan to crown prosecutors, $4 million for enhanced bail monitoring, and reintroducing the ankle bracelet program
“We joined with the association of Manitoba municipalities to write to the federal minister to say these incidents are happening more and more in our communities and we really need federal support to make bail reform effective here in the province,” said Fourre.
