Brian Boucher, a former Catholic priest, faces stricter conditions following a violation of his release. He was convicted in 2019 of sexually abusing a boy between 2008 and 2011 while serving as his parish priest, and later pleaded guilty to a separate assault between 1995 and 1999.
Boucher was released on statutory release in July 2024, having served two-thirds of his eight-year sentence. The Parole Board of Canada initially required him to reside in a halfway house for the remainder of his term, but concerns arose after multiple incidents with another resident led to a transfer.
The recent violation occurred when Boucher inadvertently encountered one of his victims while attending a church. Though details are redacted, the board confirmed Boucher made eye contact with the victim on more than one occasion, prompting a new geographical restriction.
The Parole Board has now prohibited Boucher from specific sections of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and the Town of Mount Royal, unless authorized for medical reasons. This decision followed a request from the victim for a far broader restriction, potentially encompassing the entire island of Montreal.
The board expressed significant concern over Boucher’s lack of remorse and continued denial of his offenses. Case managers report he “remains completely closed off” to addressing the underlying issues that led to his incarceration, demonstrating no meaningful change since his conviction.
Correctional Service Canada deemed Boucher untrustworthy, citing a history of disregarding emotional boundaries and posing a risk of further trauma to victims and their families. The geographical restriction was considered the least restrictive measure to mitigate this risk.
Existing conditions of Boucher’s release already prohibited direct contact with victims or their families, employment in positions of authority over minors, and unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. These restrictions remain in place.
Adding to the complexity of the case, Boucher was charged with sexually assaulting another inmate while incarcerated in 2023. Though acquitted, he agreed to a peace bond requiring him to maintain distance from that individual for a year.
The parole board’s decision underscores the ongoing challenges in managing the release of offenders with a history of sexual abuse and the paramount importance of protecting potential victims.
