Ste. Anne doctor found guilty

A family doctor from Ste. Anne has been found guilty of sexual assault.

In the fall of 2020, following a lengthy investigation, Ste. Anne Police charged Dr. Arcel Bissonnette with six counts of sexual assault. The assaults allegedly happened against six female patients between 2004 and 2017 during visits to both the medical centre and the hospital. 

One year later, Dr. Bissonnette was charged with an additional 16 counts of sexual assault, dating back to 2001. 

Crown prosecutors stayed six of the charges in early 2023.

Dr. Bissonnette pleaded not guilty to five charges. He testified, denying some of the allegations outright and explained others as medically appropriate examinations to which the complainant had consented. 

On Tuesday of this week, Justice Sadie Bond released her decision, stating that Dr. Bissonnette's testimony was "contrived, sometimes nonsensical, and at times obviously fabricated." 

Justice Bond stated that the Crown proved each count in the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt and found Dr. Bissonnette guilty on all five charges. 

Sentencing will happen at a later date.

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