Dark Poutine - True Crime and Dark History

Episode 349: In the 8th Christmas episode of the Dark Poutine podcast, we once again dive into the shadowy side of holiday traditions that often go unnoticed amidst the festive cheer. This episode will explore the dark origins of some Christmas customs, such as mummering, a practice steeped in mystery and community engagement, where masked individuals visit homes to entertain and sometimes frighten. We will also recount the chilling tale of Isaac Mercer, who met a tragic end at the hands of mummers in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, in 1860. Additionally, we’ll dig into the age-old custom of telling ghost stories during Christmas, which has deep roots in ancient traditions. This custom entertains and serves as a poignant reminder of mortality amidst the holiday festivities, adding an intriguing layer to our understanding of Christmas celebrations. We’ll share some chilly Canadian ghost stories along the way. Sources: Saturnalia | Celebration, Sacrifice, & Influence on Christmas | Britannica The Wild Holiday That Turned Ancient Rome Upside Down The Fright Before Christmas by Jeff Belanger Mummers, Murder and Mayhem Archival Moments: An Act Outlawing Mummering Celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way: with drunken mayhem | CBC News Ep079 The Isaac Mercer Mummer Murder Case. | MUN Statutes of Newfoundland, 1861 The Christmas Tradition With A Dark Side | The Murder Of Isaac Mercer | Youtube Any Mummers ’Lowed In?: Christmas Mummering Traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador by Dale Jarvis The dark side of mummering: What you may not know about a beloved tradition | CBC News The Isaac Mercer Mummer Murder Gate | Carved by the Sea Victorian Christmas Ghost Storytelling Traditions in Montreal Rousing ghost of Mount Royal The Coffin Surfing Ghost Montreal’s Duggan House built on a foundation of the uncanny The long journey for a body's burial 10 famously spooky Canadian ghost tales Mysteries in Canadian History 7 Spooky Stories from Across Canada Augustus John Peers (1848-1901) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 348: This is part 2 of our coverage of the Gay Purge in Canada. Last week, we uncovered the origins of the Canadian government’s purge of gays and queer folk, a campaign that began in the early years of the Cold War.  This week, we take a chilling dive into one of the government’s most sinister methods—the Fruit Machine. This pseudoscientific device was meant to expose gay individuals through invasive tests, and how the RCMP and military’s attempted Purge of gays from civil service continued unabated all the way through to the 1990s. Sources: Peyton V. Lyon, The Loyalties of E. Herbert Norman: A Report Prepared for External Affairs and International Trade Canada, March 18, 1990 (Ottawa: 1990). Bowen, Roger W, Innocence Is Not Enough: The Life and Death of Herbert Norman (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1986). Kinsman, Gary, and Patrizia Gentile. The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation. University of British Columbia Press, 2010. The Canadian Encyclopedia: "Canada’s Cold War Purge of 2SLGBTQ2+ from Public Service"​ The Canadian Encyclopedia Village Legacy Project: "Ottawa LGBT History: The 'Fruit Machine'"​ Village Legacy Project https://definingmomentscanada.ca/all-for-9/historical-articles/lgbt-purge/#_edn3 https://www.trentarthur.ca/news/i-was-a-good-soldier-understanding-the-fruit-machine-2018-dir-sarah-fodey https://ambcanada.ca/ambassadors/egerton-herbert-norman/ Arthur Newspaper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 347: In this episode, part one of two, thanks to Mathew’s intrepid and unflinching research, we’re peeling back the layers on one of the most harrowing chapters in Canadian history: the Gay Purge.  Officially, the campaign targeted LGBTQ+ individuals as part of a national security effort—citing their supposed susceptibility to blackmail by Soviet agents - But the real story is that these purges were driven more by institutional homophobia cloaked in Cold War fears and rhetoric than by legitimate security concerns. The blackmail excuse became a convenient cover for the government's systemic discrimination, allowing a deeply entrenched homophobia to flourish unchecked. This campaign stretched from the 1950s through to the 1990s, destroying lives, careers, and communities along the way. We’ll explore the origins of this agenda, how it escalated, and look at a few of the stories of individuals affected. Sources: Peyton V. Lyon, The Loyalties of E. Herbert Norman: A Report Prepared for External Affairs and International Trade Canada, March 18, 1990 (Ottawa: 1990). Bowen, Roger W, Innocence Is Not Enough: The Life and Death of Herbert Norman (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1986). Kinsman, Gary, and Patrizia Gentile. The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation. University of British Columbia Press, 2010. The Canadian Encyclopedia: "Canada’s Cold War Purge of 2SLGBTQ2+ from Public Service"​ The Canadian Encyclopedia Village Legacy Project: "Ottawa LGBT History: The 'Fruit Machine'"​ Village Legacy Project https://definingmomentscanada.ca/all-for-9/historical-articles/lgbt-purge/#_edn3 https://www.trentarthur.ca/news/i-was-a-good-soldier-understanding-the-fruit-machine-2018-dir-sarah-fodey https://ambcanada.ca/ambassadors/egerton-herbert-norman/ Arthur Newspaper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 346: In this episode, we look into the life and mysterious murder of Annie Mae Pictou Aquash, a prominent Indigenous activist whose story continues to haunt the corridors of justice and activism alike. During the tumultuous 1970s, her journey took her from Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, to the heart of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the United States, where she fought for Indigenous rights. The mystery surrounding Annie Mae's death is as compelling as her life. In December 1975, she disappeared and was later found deceased on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Initial reports misleadingly attributed her death to exposure, but a second autopsy revealed she had been executed with a bullet to the back of her head. This revelation raised questions about who could have orchestrated such a brutal act against someone so profoundly committed to her cause. It took almost 30 years before the shocking truth was uncovered and the people responsible for Annie’s murder were brought to justice. Sources: Annie Mae Aquash (1945 – 1975) Shubenacadie Wildlife Park A Warrior born... | Biography of Annie Mae Crossing the Canada-U.S. border with a status card CBP Customer Service 9.16 The 1960s Counterculture – Canadian History: Post-Confederation National Day of Mourning: A 1970 protest changed how Native Americans see Thanksgiving | CBC Radio Wounded Knee Massacre | South Dakota, Occupation, History, & Legacy | Britannica Historical Reading Room — Incident at Wounded Knee | U.S. Marshals Service Native Americans seized Wounded Knee 50 years ago. Here's what 1 reporter remembers MuckRock | Annie Mae Aquash FBI Files Annie Mae Aquash – From the US to Kurdistan: the indigenous struggle for freedom National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls - Montreal. Day 2, Community Public Hearing 2, March 13, 2018. Live Feed | By National Inquiry MMIWG / Enquête nationale FFADA | Facebook American Indian Movement 2007 BCCA 345 (CanLII) | United States of America v. Graham | CanLII 2022 BCCA 47 (CanLII) | Graham v. Canada (Minister of Justice) | CanLII Justice for Annie Mae Pictou Aquash Woman Warrior Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 345: In December 2015, the quiet city of Moncton, New Brunswick, was shaken to its core by a brutal crime that would leave an indelible mark on the community. Eighteen-year-old Baylee Wylie was found dead in a burned-out townhouse, the victim of a horrific murder that shocked residents and sparked a manhunt for those responsible. Three young people who Baylee thought were his friends were ultimately charged for their roles in Wylie's death: Marissa Shephard, 20 at the time, along with Devin Morningstar and Tyler Noel, both 18. The gruesome nature of the crime - Baylee had been tied to a chair, beaten, and stabbed approximately 200 times - sent shockwaves through Moncton. The murder and subsequent trials captivated the region, with media coverage detailing the drug-fueled night that ended in tragedy. The community grappled with the senseless loss of a young life and the disturbing actions of the perpetrators. In this episode, we'll explore the events leading up to that fateful night, the impact on Baylee's family and the wider Moncton community, and the following quest for justice. Join us as we examine one of the most notorious crimes in recent New Brunswick history. Sources: 2017 NBQB 7 (CanLII) | R v. Morningstar | CanLII 2017 NBCA 39 (CanLII) | Morningstar v. R. | CanLII 2019 NBCA 76 (CanLII) | Shephard v. R. | CanLII 2021 NBQB 218 (CanLII) | R v Shephard | CanLII 2021 NBQB 181 (CanLII) | HMQ v. Marissa June Shephard | CanLII Baylee Wylie Murder | News, Videos & Articles | GlobalNews In loving memory of Baylee Wylie Baylee Wylie - Search - Newspapers.com™ Obituary of Baylee Wylie | Fergusons Riverview Funeral Centre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 344: In 2002, Brandon, Manitoba, was rocked by the disappearance of Erin Chorney, a feisty and energetic teenager with her whole life ahead of her. What began as a simple outing—Erin telling her mother she'd be back in an hour—turned into a parent's worst nightmare when she never returned home. As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the community of Brandon rallied around the Chorney family, desperately searching for answers. The truth behind Erin's disappearance would only come to light through one of Canada's most contentious investigative techniques. You guessed it — Mister Big. The case led investigators down a dark path, culminating in a shocking confession and a grim discovery that would forever change the lives of those involved. Join us as we explore the details of this heart-wrenching case, examining the investigation that followed, the controversial methods employed by law enforcement, and the lasting impact on a community forever changed by tragedy. Sources: Brandon | City, Prairie, Wheat Capital | Britannica History of Brandon, MB HeritageBrandon.ca Canadian Encyclopedia | Brandon Obituary for Erin Kristen Chorney CHORNEY DARCY JAMES - Obituaries - Brandon Sun Passages Fooled Into Giving A Full Confession | Dark Waters Of Crime | Real Crime Undercover police sting ends with arrest of shocked murder suspect Jun 18, 2005, page 4 - Nanaimo Daily News at Newspapers.com Oct 08, 2006, page 22 - News-Press at Newspapers.com Girlfriend-killer loses appeal Jun 2014: Killer can't visit dying relative Brandon man convicted of murdering Erin Chorney applying for parole under faint-hope clause Apr 2021: Murder 'devastated' Chorney family To the Grave: Inside a Spectacular RCMP Sting by Mike McIntyre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 343: This is our special Remembrance Day episode. Each year on November 11, Canadians pause to remember the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces, defending our country and our allies with incredible courage and resolve. Last year, we shared the story of one remarkable Canadian soldier, Leo Major. Leo was a scout and sniper who, against all odds, single-handedly liberated the Dutch town of Zwolle in 1945. Moving under cover of darkness, he confused and intimidated German forces through a series of daring attacks, leading them to believe an entire Allied battalion was upon them. His incredible bravery and tactical genius not only saved the town but established him as a true legend. This year, we’ll explore the stories of several more incredible Canadians who, like Leo, faced impossible odds with courage, ingenuity, and the unbreakable Canadian spirit. These people faced unimaginable odds, fought for our freedom and justice, and showed the world the strength of the Canadian spirit. Join us as we honour and remember these heroes—names that deserve a place in history and our hearts. Sources: Francis Pegahmagabow - Veterans Affairs Canada Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow Memorial - National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials (NICMM) - Memorials - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada PEGAHMAGABOW, FRANCIS - War Records Francis Pegahmagabow National Historic Person (1889-1952) Chief Francis Pegahmagabow, 1889-1952 Francis Pegahmagabow Monument - Veterans Affairs Canada Ernest "Smokey" Smith - Record Detail | New Westminster Museum Ernest Alvia Smith | Canada.ca Sergeant (Ret’d) Ernest “Smokey” Smith, VC - Veterans Affairs Canada Ernest Smith | Wikipedia Ernest 'Smoky' Smith: 'I was never afraid to shoot' | Macleans Tommy Prince | Legion Magazine Prince of Death: Canada’s Indigenous war hero | Legion Magazine Tommy Prince | Wikipedia Tommy Prince | The Canadian Encyclopedia Tommy Prince - Veterans Affairs Canada NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH: Tommy Prince Bizarre But True Facts: Canada in WWII 10 Badass Canadian War Heroes 'If you don't get us out of here, we're all going to die': Heroes Among Us The Canadian hero whose leadership prevented countless casualties in Afghanistan History-April 27 1945: The crazy trio who helped a starving war-torn Holland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 342: In the quiet Yukon community of Carcross, a chilling tragedy unfolded on March 1st, 1992, forever changing the lives of those involved and leaving a lasting impact on the region. Krystal Nicole Senyk, a twenty-nine-year-old with her whole life ahead of her, was found dead in the doorway of her cabin, the victim of a brutal murder. The prime suspect in this heinous crime was Ronald Jeffrey Bax, the husband of Krystal's friend Lynn. In the hours between Krystal's murder and the discovery of her body, Bax, charged with murder in absentia, vanished without a trace, setting in motion a decades-long search for justice. This case, which has haunted the Yukon for over 30 years, is a tale of tragedy, mystery, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Despite the passage of time, Ronald Bax has never been found, leaving authorities, Krystal's family and the community with unanswered questions and a continuing need for closure. Sources: Wanted by the RCMP: Ronald Jeffrey Bax | Royal Canadian Mounted Police WhatHappenedToRonBax.com | A Yukon mystery I Got a Name: The Murder of Krystal Senyk Woman is shot; RCMP hunt for murder suspect International Arm Wrestling Results 1990 May 19, 1989, page 3 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Mar 04, 1992, page 1 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Mar 05, 1992, page 1 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Mar 06, 1992, page 9 - The Standard at Newspapers.com Mar 06, 1992, page 15 - The Province at Newspapers.com Nov 13, 1992, page 1 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Nov 13, 1992, page 2 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Mar 02, 1993, page 3 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Nov 20, 1995, page 1 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Oct 18, 2000, page 46 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com Remember Krystal, remember them all ‘A mother should never have to go through this’ Writer at Dawson City residency comes full-circle on Yukon true crime story Author delves into the life and tragic death of Krystal Senyk | CBC News Transcript: Crime Story, Episode 20 | CBC Radio Krystal Nicole Senyk (1962-1992) Ronald Bax | Unsolved Wiki Yukon | Wikipedia Home | Government of Yukon Carcross | Wikipedia https://destinationcarcross.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 341: Welcome to a very special Halloween edition of Dark Poutine. This year, we’re also celebrating our seventh anniversary! Over the years, we’ve explored the darkest corners of Canadian crime and history, but tonight, we’re widening the lens to take you on a ghostly journey around the world. In the spirit of the spookiest time of year, we’ll dive into the eerie world of hauntings, ghosts and, of course, poltergeists—those noisy, mischievous spirits that have haunted homes, thrown objects, and terrified families across different cultures for centuries. Buckle up for a global tour of unsettling encounters and unexplained phenomena that have left their mark in folklore, history, and, for some, reality. Get ready to be both intrigued and chilled to the bone! Sources: Society for Psychical Research Difference Between Ghost and Poltergeist Types Of Ghosts and Spirits Ghosts, poltergeists, and demons: What’s the difference? The Ghost Glossary: The Difference Between Ghosts, Ghouls, Goblins, And More Hauntings and Poltergeists | SPR The Great Amherst Mystery, 1888 Mary Ellen Fire Spook - An Antigonish Haunting The Hanging Cage That Held An Infamous Québec Murderess Who is Marie-Josephte Corriveau? The “Stone Tape Theory” of hauntings: A geological perspective Family Ghosts: Bringing Back the Dead (Part II) My Family Ghost Stories Reddit Users Share Their Experiences with the Paranormal From the Ghosts community on Reddit The Enfield Poltergeist | Psi Encyclopedia This House Is Haunted: The Investigation of the Enfield Poltergeist by Guy Lyon Playfair The Enfield Poltergeist Tapes by Melvyn J Willin Watch The Enfield Poltergeist - Apple TV⁠+ (CA) ‘The Enfield Poltergeist’: New doc explores the creepy, infamous haunting - National The Enfield Poltergeist: BBC Bill Wilkins — Investigation and Evidence Enfield Poltergeist Real Voice Recordings (Bill) | YouTube The Enfield Poltergeist RARE BBC FOOTAGE | YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 340: In the early 1980s, a wave of fear with its origins in Canada, swept across North America, igniting what would become known as the Satanic Panic. This moral hysteria, fueled by sensationalized media reports and dubious claims of widespread satanic ritual abuse, had its roots in a controversial book published in 1980 titled “Michelle Remembers.” As the panic spread, it manifested in several high-profile cases across Canada. One of the most notorious incidents occurred in Martensville, Saskatchewan, where unfounded allegations of ritual abuse at a local daycare center led to multiple arrests and a community torn apart by suspicion and fear. Other cases emerged in various provinces, each feeding into the growing narrative of a vast, underground network of satanic cults preying on innocent children. Sources: Michelle Remembers by Smith, Michelle | Internet Archive Michelle Remembers — fiction disguised as fact Devil Worship Exposing Satan's Underground [Geraldo Rivera] [1988] [VHS] | YouTube [VHS] Law Enforcement Guide to Satanic Cults - (1994) | YouTube Parents From McMartin Preschool Scandal Discuss Aftermath Of Child Sex Abuse Case | Oxygen Official Site UNCOVER SEASON 6- SATANIC PANIC: Transcripts | Listen | CBC Radio Hell to pay: Revisiting the Martensville satanic sex scandal (2003) - The Fifth Estate | YouTube 1995 CanLII 4037 (SK CA) | R. v. Sterling | CanLII 2003 SKQB 559 (CanLII) | K. v. Miazga | CanLII 2007 SKCA 57 (CanLII) | Kvello v. Miazga | CanLII Aug 12, 1990, page 8 - The Independent at Newspapers.com Did Satanic Panic Influence The West Memphis Three Case? | Oxygen Official Site West Memphis Three: What You Should Know About Their Wrongful Conviction High Magick Satan Wants You | Film Satan Wants You | JustWatch The Strange Origins of the Satanic Panic | CBC Arts Believe the Children: Re-Reading the Satanic Panic Through Michelle Remembers How a doctor and his patient sparked a global ‘Satanic Panic’ It’s Time to Revisit the Satanic Panic | NYT Satanic panic: Documentary takes a new look at Michelle Remembers book America's Satanic Panic Returns — This Time Through QAnon We Believe the Children: A Moral Panic in the 1980s | Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This bonus episode of Dark Poutine is brought to you by MasterCard. In this special episode, we’re exploring a growing threat hitting more close to home than ever—cybercrime. We’ve dived deep into all sorts of dark tales before, but this one is a bit different because it’s happening right now, affecting people and businesses across Canada.   Sources: Mastercard Trust Centre | Cybersecurity Solutions for Every Business mastercard.ca/trust webcrunchers.com | Wayback Machine Elk Cloner John Draper Michael Calce Mafiaboy’s story points to Net weaknesses Meet Mafiaboy, The 'Bratty Kid' Who Took Down The Internet 'Mafiaboy' breaks silence, paints 'portrait of a hacker' | CNN A Q&A with MafiaBoy Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada | FinTRAC Cyber attacks in Canada | Konbriefing.com Why Canada has so many cyberattacks—and why we're all at risk | MacLeans Cyber attacks are getting easier, experts warn after 3rd federal incident | GlobalNews National Equifax hacked: Canadians among those exposed by credit monitoring company’s data breach - National PIPEDA Findings #2019-001: Investigation into Equifax Inc. and Equifax Canada Co.’s compliance with PIPEDA in light of the 2017 breach of personal information - Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Am I Impacted? | LifeLabs LifeLabs hack: What Canadians need to know about the health data breach | GlobalNews Privacy breach alerts and information | Province of NS Cyber Incident | ADSC Ticketmaster Data Security Incident Cyber security and cybercrime challenges of Canadian businesses, 2017 The Daily — Impact of cybercrime on Canadian businesses, 2021 Canadian Small Business Cybersecurity Survival Guide - Canadian Chamber of Commerce Nearly half of small businesses have experienced random cyberattacks in the past year | CFIB Ransomware/ Cyber Incident | Toronto Zoo Baseline cyber threat assessment: Cybercrime - Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Cyber Attacks in Canada 2023: A Year in Review Criminal hackers 'very likely' to pose threat to national security, economy in near term: report | CBC News Data Responsibility & Governance Practices | Personal Data Security Cybercrime: an overview of incidents and issues in Canada | RCMP Significant Cyber Incidents | Strategic Technologies Program | CSIS National Cyber Threat Assessment 2023-2024 | Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the night of September 6, 1958, Aaron “Bud’ Jenkins was stabbed to death as he slept in his barracks at the Naval base in Esquimalt on Vancouver Island here in British Columbia. A man named Leo Mantha confessed to the crime, was tried, found guilty of 1st-degree murder, and executed in 1959. He was the last person ever to be executed in British Columbia and the 3rd last to be executed in Canada. At the time, executions were rare, and most Canadian death penalty verdicts were commuted to life in prison. After revisiting the crime, the consensus among experts today is that anyone else would have been charged with manslaughter or 2nd-degree murder, and not 1st-degree murder. So why do Leo Mantha hang? The fact that Leo Mantha was gay was the only factor that made him stand out at the time of the crime. Was his a hanging by homophobia? Sources: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/506263024/ https://johnhoward.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/the-death-penalty-any-nations-shame-march-2001.pdf https://xtramagazine.com/power/leo-manthas-last-gasp-60415 https://ejusa.org/resource/wasteful-inefficient/#:~:text=Many%20people%20believe%20that%20the,making%20it%20much%20more%20expensive. https://www.nacdl.org/Content/Race-and-the-Death-Penalty https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/lgbtq/background-contexte.html https://www.westerncriminology.org/documents/WCR/v08n2/weinrath.pdf https://www.statista.com/topics/2943/aboriginal-crime-and-justice-in-canada/#topicOverview https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/rrbb-bbrr/results-resultats.html#:~:text=A%20similar%20trend%20was%20observed,%2D07%20to%202015%2D16. https://www.nathaniel.ca/2014/05/07/leo-manthas-last-gasp/ https://bcanuntoldhistory.knowledge.ca/1960/homosexuality-decriminalized https://globalnews.ca/news/5238533/leo-mantha-last-bc-execution/ https://www.nathaniel.ca/2009/05/03/bcs-last-execution/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 338: The Great North American Ice Storm of January 1998 was a devastating natural disaster caused by five consecutive ice storms affecting eastern Ontario, southern Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, northern New York, and central Maine. Montreal and southern Quebec were hardest hit, with freezing rain from January 4th to 9th accumulating up to 100 millimetres, collapsing trees, power lines, and steel towers. Nearly 3.5 million Quebecers and 600,000 Ontarians lost power, with blackouts lasting up to 33 days. The storm claimed 34 lives and led to the largest Canadian military deployment since the Korean War. The disaster tested the resilience of residents, who endured extreme cold and isolation while demonstrating heroism and community spirit. Sources: Jan 07, 1998, page 1 - The Gazette at Newspapers.com The 1998 ice storm that called for the deployment of 16,000 military personnel | Weather Network Ice storm changes the way cities prepare for disasters 1998 Ice Storm – Operation Recuperation - Veterans Affairs Canada Ice Storm '98 relived: A handful of Quebecers look back Lessons learned from the ice storm of 1998 Timeline | Ice Storm 1998: Immersion in the Black and the Cold 25th Anniversary of the Devastating 1998 Ice Storm in the Northeast The Worst Natural Disaster in Canadian History (Ice Storm 1998) | Discover Montreal 1998 ice storm led to better preparation for disasters in Quebec | Global News Montrealers remember the ice storm of 1998, 25 years later | Global News 25th anniversary of ice storm brings back chilling memories for Quebecers | CBC News 25 years later: Quebec remembers ice storm that plunged province into darkness | CTV News https://www.hydroquebec.com/ice-storm-1998/a-perfect-storm.html January 1998 North American ice storm David Pratt, "Ice Storm 1998" on Feb. 4th, 1998 Ice storm 1998: Lessons learned | Wayback Machine 2023 Canada ice storm https://www.hydroquebec.com/ice-storm-1998/ 25 years later: Quebec remembers ice storm that plunged province into darkness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the evening of February 14, 1985, Valentine’s Day, at around 6:00 p.m., Bryan Hart of Colborne, Ontario, came home to a quiet house after work. He looked around the house for his wife, Betty, but could not find her. The couple’s 19-year-old son had already been home for an hour and a half. Michael said he hadn’t seen his mom but had noticed a pair of glasses she wore sitting on the landing leading into the basement. Thinking his mother was out somewhere, Michael picked up the glasses and put them on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen for safekeeping. On learning about the glasses from Michael, Bryan felt compelled to check the basement. It was the only place he hadn’t checked yet. In the cellar, Bryan discovered Betty lying on her side in a vast pool of blood. She was unresponsive. Bryan raced back upstairs and told his son to call an ambulance. Marguerite Elizabeth (Betty) Hart, 46, was dead. Among Betty’s many injuries, her throat had been slashed. Early on, the OPP presumed Betty’s wounds to be self-inflicted, but not all was as it appeared. Sources: 1987 CanLII 124 (ON CA) | R. v. Moran | CanLII SCC Docket | Donald Philip John Moran v. Her Majesty the Queen Mar 09, 1985, page 3 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com Mar 12, 1985, page 2 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com Mar 13, 1985, page 2 - The Kingston Whig-Standard at Newspapers.com Mar 14, 1985, page 2 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com Apr 30, 1985, page 7 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com Jul 23, 1985, page 5 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com Jun 06, 1985, page 2 - The Kingston Whig-Standard at Newspapers.com Jun 28, 1985, page 6 - The Kingston Whig-Standard at Newspapers.com Jan 08, 1986, page 7 - The Hamilton Spectator at Newspapers.com Jan 08, 1986, page 32 - The Expositor at Newspapers.com Jan 09, 1986, page 15 - The Expositor at Newspapers.com Jan 16, 1986, page 62 - Waterloo Region Record at Newspapers.com Jan 16, 1986, page 10 - The Expositor at Newspapers.com Jan 17, 1986, page 8 - The Expositor at Newspapers.com Jan 18, 1986, page 8 - Waterloo Region Record at Newspapers.com http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/CTPL/CTPL002508964pf_0156.pdf http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/CTPL/CTPL002508964pf_0155.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November of 2002, friends and family of 25-year-old Fort McMurray DJ Robert LeVoir became concerned that they hadn’t heard from him in over two weeks. Although he’d been a troubled guy, struggling with drugs, cocaine in particular, it wasn’t like Robert to be out of touch for so long. They worried about his welfare and began searching for him, eventually involving the RCMP. To Robert’s family, the RCMP appeared to be doing little to find their loved one. However, behind closed doors, investigators were working on a tip from a man claiming Robert’s roommate, Dax Richard Mack, also a DJ, had murdered Robert LeVoir and disposed of his body. Sources: 2006 ABQB 324 (CanLII) | R. v. Mack | CanLII 2007 ABQB 182 (CanLII) | R. v. Mack | CanLII 2012 ABCA 42 (CanLII) | R. v. Mack | CanLII SCC Appeal File No. 35093 — 2013 2014 SCC 58 (CanLII) | R. v. Mack | CanLII Supreme Court upholds Fort McMurray murder conviction Top court upholds Alberta conviction in boost for ‘Mr. Big’ tactics Mr Big Operations: Innovative Investigative Technique or Threat to Justice? Mr. Big: Undercover Sting Operations Mr. Big: An RCMP Production Revisiting “Mr. Big” Confessions: R v Mack No New Friends: A Look at the Law Relating to Mr. Big in R. v. Hart : Royle Law | Criminal and DUI Lawyers Toronto “Mr. Big” Operation: SCC constrains but doesn’t eliminate the practice. 2022 ABQB 522 (CanLII) | Mack v Warden of Grande Cache Institution | CanLII A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF MR. BIG OPERATIONS BY CANADA’S POLICE by Chanel J. Blais Mr. Big — Brilliant police strategy, or dangerous and coercive? Robert Cecil William LeVoir (1977-2002) - Find a Grave Shocore - Bonecracker | YouTube Owen Beverly Beattie Owen Beattie RvJeanvennebyArghavanGerami Apr 23, 2004, page 6 - Edmonton Journal at Newspapers.com Jul 06, 2004, page 6 - Edmonton Journal at Newspapers.com Apr 26, 2006, page 23 - Edmonton Journal at Newspapers.com Apr 26, 2006, page 7 - The Daily Herald-Tribune at Newspapers.com Apr 22, 2004, page 3 - Fort McMurray Today at Newspapers.com Apr 26, 2006, page 3 - Fort McMurray Today at Newspapers.com May 10, 2006, page 7 - The Daily Herald-Tribune at Newspapers.com Feb 21, 2008, page 6 - Star-Phoenix at Newspapers.com Feb 21, 2008, page 23 - Edmonton Journal at Newspapers.com Killer DJ appeal turfed | Edmonton Sun High court upholds Mr. Big conviction Shocking the Conscience: Public Responses to Police Use of the “Mr. Big” Technique Mr. Big — Brilliant police strategy, or dangerous and coercive? | Edmonton Sun Gangsters Out Blog | The Dirty Few MC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 18, 2014, 101-year-old Ernest Côté, a decorated World War II veteran, became the target of a violent home invasion. The assailant, Ian Bush, gained entry to Côté's secure condo building using fake City of Ottawa identification. Bush proceeded to rob and terrorize the elderly war hero, binding his hands, taping his mouth shut, and leaving him to suffocate with a plastic bag over his head. However, Côté's remarkable strength and presence of mind allowed him to break free, cut a hole in the bag, and call for help. Little did anyone know that Côté's bravery would not only save his own life but would also lead to the resolution of a gruesome unsolved triple homicide from 2007. The evidence Côté preserved, particularly the duct tape used to gag him, provided the crucial DNA link that connected Bush to the murders of retired tax court judge Alban Garon, 77, his wife Raymonde Garon, 73, and their friend Marie-Claire Beniskos, 78. These three victims, all in their 70s, had been found hogtied, beaten, and suffocated in the Garons' luxury condo, leaving investigators baffled for years. Sources: "Alban Garon" - Search - Newspapers.com™ Alban Garon | Wikipedia Ernest Côté | Wikipedia Ernest Adolphe Côté | The Canadian Encyclopedia Riviera One and Two - 1500 and 1510 Riverside Dr Remembering the life of Marie-Claire Beniskos Marie-Claire Beniskos | News, Videos & Articles Ernest Cote | News, Videos & Articles D-Day 70th Anniversary: Battle by the numbers | YouTube Ian Bush Charged in 2007 Triple Homicide | CBC Youtube Ian Bush - Search | National Post Gruesome details by pathologist in Ian Bush triple-murder trial Man guilty in murder of Ot­tawa tax judge | Calgary Herald Guilty verdict in 'brutal, gratuitous' Ottawa triple murder | CBC News 2017 ONSC 422 (CanLII) | R. v. Bush | CanLII 2017 ONSC 7426 (CanLII) | R. v. Bush | CanLII 2017 ONSC 7627 (CanLII) | R. v. Bush | CanLII 2024 ONCA 245 (CanLII) | R. v. Bush | CanLII ‘I was mad as a wasp,’ says 101-year-old war vet home invasion victim Ernest Côté: 101-year-old veteran who survived home invasion dies - National Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 334: In this episode, we look at a tragic case of domestic violence that shook the small community of New Germany, Nova Scotia. On June 30, 2010, the quiet parking lot of a local grocery store became the scene of a horrific crime that would forever change the lives of the Eisnor family. Wayne Paul Eisnor, driven by jealousy and an unwillingness to let go, confronted his estranged wife, Tina Mae Illingworth-Eisnor, as she sat in her van. In a shocking act of violence that unfolded in broad daylight, Wayne shot Tina twice in the head, ending her life and then turned the gun on himself. Wayne, although he suffered brain damage, survived his wound. Here, we explore the events leading up to this devastating moment, the aftermath of the shooting, and the complex legal proceedings that followed, including Wayne’s claims of amnesia, shedding light on a case that left a community in disbelief and a family deeply torn. Sources: Obituary: Tina Mae "Illingworth" Eisnor | Sweenys Funeral Home Tina Illingworth-Eisnor | Facebook SHAID Tree Animal Shelter New Germany, Nova Scotia Canada New Germany & Area Holland's Carriers Limited | New Germany NS Alleged Killer in New Germany Shooting Asks for Lawyer | CJHK 2013 NSSC 241 (CanLII) | R. v. Eisnor | CanLII 2013 NSSC 263 (CanLII) | R. v. Eisnor | CanLII R. v. Eisnor (W.P.), (2013) 336 N.S.R.(2d) 381 (SC) | vLex 2015 NSCA 64 (CanLII) | R. v. Eisnor | CanLII R. v. Eisnor (W.P.), (2015) 362 N.S.R.(2d) 157 (CA) | vLex Search Results: Tina Eisnor | Global News Search Results: Tina Eisnor | CTV News Search Results: Tina Eisnor | CBC News Gender Based Violence in Canada | Learn the Facts Victims of police-reported family and intimate partner violence in Canada, 2021 Intimate partner violence: Experiences of young women in Canada, 2018 Our Work | Funding For Violence Prevention Programs | Getting Women Out Of Violence Resources: Family and Intimate Partner Violence in Canada Domestic Abuse Help in Canada Wayne Eisnor guilty of 1st-degree murder | CBC News Tina Eisnor's children 'deeply conflicted' after father's guilty verdict Atlantic News | Local Breaking | CTV News Atlantic Appeal dismissed in case of man who shot himself in the head, causing amnesia Get help with family violence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 333: On the evening of July 18, 1977, five local teenagers were relaxing, drinking and listening to music near Ferry Island Park on the banks of the Fraser River just east of Chilliwack. It was a beautiful summer night. At 9:40 p.m., a man appeared from the underbrush armed with a rifle and, without a word, began shooting. Four of the teens were killed: Brothers from Rosedale, Jan Christiaan “John” Den Hertog,16, and Evert “Ed” Den Hertog, 19, Egbert “Bert” Menger, 19, of Clearbrook and Rosedale resident Leola Corrinne Guliker, 16. The killer sped off in Evert Den Hertog’s truck, while the only survivor, fifteen-year-old Adrian “Eddie” Menger, Egbert’s younger brother, fled and sought help. The terrified community, stunned by the senseless slayings, began burying their dead while police sought a killer. More than a month later, they had their man — 23-year-old Walter Murray Madsen of Chilliwack. Madsen had then dumped all four victims into the Fraser, hoping the water would hide the evidence of his horrific crime. Madsen’s bizarre motives for the shootings and further plans were revealed at his trial in 1978. Leola Guliker’s body was not found until nine months after the shooting, just days after Madsen was sentenced to life in prison for her killing and the three others. Sources: https://thereach.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Madsen,%20Walter%20Murray walter madsen sentence 1978 CRIMES ON TEENAGERS IN THE FRASER VALLEY | Victims and Vandals http://richardislivingwithals.blogspot.com/2013/03/bert-menger.html walter madsen The Old Man in the rain CRIMES ON TEENAGERS IN THE FRASER VALLEY | Victims and Vandals http://pgplweb02.lib.pg.bc.ca:8080/fedora/get/pgc:1978-04-12/ilives:viewerSdef/getViewer Full text of "The Daily Colonist (1977-09-01)" https://newspaperarchive.com/medicine-hat-news-sep-02-1977-p-2/ Apr 14, 1978, page 9 - Red Deer Advocate at Newspapers.com Full text of "The Daily Colonist (1978-04-18)" http://authormjpreston.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-old-man-in-rain-following-rosedale.html CRASH IN­VES­TI­GATED AS MUR­DER-SUI­CIDE | Vancouver Sun Jenneke Everdina “Jennie” Den Bruin Den Hertog ... Evert “Eddie” Den Hertog (1957-1977) - Find a... Jan Christiaan “John” Den Hertog (1961-1977) -... Barend (Bernie) Den Hertog Barend Den Hertog Obituary - Chilliwack, BC May 20, 1987, page 6 - The Chilliwack Progress at Newspapers.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 332: In this episode of Dark Poutine, we delve into a troubling chapter of British Columbia’s history that reveals the deep-seated racism and fear that plagued our past. D’Arcy Island, a small and isolated landmass off the coast of Vancouver Island, became home to a leprosy colony from 1891 to 1924. But this wasn’t just any colony; it was a place where Chinese immigrants who had contracted the disease were forcibly sent to live out their days in harsh and inhumane conditions, far from society’s view. Leprosy, now known as Hansen’s disease, has been misunderstood and deeply feared throughout history. The disease, although not highly contagious and treatable today, was seen as a mark of shame and led to the isolation of those afflicted. The establishment of the D’Arcy Island colony was rooted not only in fear of the disease but also in the racist attitudes of the time, which viewed Chinese immigrants as expendable and less deserving of care. Sources: Leprosy | WHO D'Arcy Island Marine Park W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations: History & Territory The Creation of Indian Reserves and their Impact On The W̱SÁNEĆ Nation British Columbia Indian Treaties In Historical Perspective An introduction to First Nations' history in the Gulf Islands Tales from the Vault: The lepers of D'Arcy Island The lepers of D'Arcy Island The Dark Past Of D'Arcy Island • British Columbia Magazine How a tiny island off Victoria became part of B.C.’s racist history - UBC News ‘Island of Death’: BC’s Forgotten Racist Leper Colony Health campaigners call for an end to the use of the word leper D'Arcy Island | Wikipedia Chinese Canadian historic places receive provincial recognition Chinese Canadian Historic Places | PDF A Measure of Value: The Story of the D'Arcy Island Leper Colony By Chris Yorath | Google Books City of Victoria Archives | International Leprosy Association - History of Leprosy Tracadie and D’Arcy and Bentinck Islands (Canada) | International Leprosy Association - History of Leprosy The Lepers of Tracadie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 331: On November 8, 2012, in a bloody crime scene, police discovered the body of 43-year-old Panagiota “Yota” Zerbinos in her daughter’s basement suite in the Fleetwood neighbourhood of Surrey, B.C. Yota had been brutally stabbed 24 times and left under a blanket; the murder weapon, a kitchen knife, was still in her chest. Two days later, Yota’s 28-year-old daughter, Gloria Crystle Zerbinos, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. She pleaded not guilty, citing her schizophrenia, drug abuse and other complex mental health issues, claiming she was not criminally responsible for her mother’s death. Gloria was held at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women. However, as court proceedings continued, another inmate, 51-year-old April Peregooda, was found unresponsive in Gloria Zerbinos’s cell. Sources: B.C. woman who killed mother sentenced for second murder while serving time | CBC News Woman arrested in death of B.C. jail inmate | CBC News 2018 BCSC 2464 (CanLII) | R. v G.C.Z | CanLII 2019 BCSC 584 (CanLII) | R. v Zerbinos | CanLII "Gloria Zerbinos" - Search - Newspapers.com™ Surrey woman to stand trial for allegedly murdering her mother - Surrey Leader Surrey woman guilty of murder for stabbing her mother 24 times Remembering the life of Panagiota Zerbinos Panagiota Zerbinos Obituary (2012) - Legacy Remembers From straight A's to accused of stabbing her mom 24 times Mom's body was found in daughter's Surrey suite, trial hears Surrey woman was afraid to be alone with her daughter, murder trial hears Woman sentenced for prison murder in Maple Ridge 2004: Alouette Correctional Centre for Women - Province of British Columbia Ex-strip­per guilty of mother’s mur­der | The Province Surrey woman who murdered her mother can apply for parole in 12 years Facebook | Gloria Zerbinos Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Former stripper on trial for mom's murder suffered delusions, court hears Vernon woman killed in jail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices