Court hearing for former NHLer and Barrie police officer facing extortion charges
Barrie police Insp. Valarie Gates testified in the preliminary hearing for suspended Sgt. Bruce Gardiner, who stands charged with extortion and criminal harassment.
Court documents reveal Gardiner, who’s been a member of Barrie police for 19 years, is accused of having, without reasonable justification or excuse and with intent to obtain compliance, threatened to release sensitive photographs of the complainant, an individual police confirm is a member of the Barrie Police Service.
Barrie police said the alleged conduct occurred while off-duty between 2016 and 2018.
The complainant’s identity and evidence heard in court are protected by a publication ban.
Court documents also show Gardiner faced similar charges in April 2009, including criminal harassment and voyeurism, following an investigation by the OPP. Those charges were withdrawn a year later when Gardiner entered into a peace bond.
Fifteen years later, Gardiner finds himself facing allegations for which he has been suspended again with pay.
Gardiner’s proceedings are taking place while Gates is before a Police Services Act Tribunal, charged with discreditable conduct. Her matter was addressed Thursday over teleconference. It was adjourned until next month following another defence request for disclosure of evidence.
Barrie Police Service confirmed the charge against Gates, a 27-year police veteran, was laid following an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police Office of Professionalism, Respect, Inclusion and Leadership.
Gates made several appearances at the Barrie Courthouse during Gardiner’s January court hearings.
It‘s unclear whether the criminal charges against Gardiner and the Police Services Act charge against Gates are related.
Barrie-born Gardiner played for four NHL teams in six seasons from 1996 to 2002, scoring the first-ever goal in Columbus Blue Jackets history. He was inducted in 2017 as a member of the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
Gardiner’s matter will be back before a judge in May.
The allegations against him have not been tested in court.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was "surprised" to hear it.
developing
developing Emergency crews battle large fire at Kitchener, Ont. townhouse complex
Waterloo Regional Police say Kingsway Drive will remain closed as emergency crews continue to battle a large blaze at a townhouse complex.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resigns as carmaker continues to struggle with slumping sales
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is stepping down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales.
Poilievre calls for asylum seeker cap, border plan as U.S. tariff threat looms
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has demanded the federal government present a plan before Parliament to beef up border security as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose stiff tariffs on Canada.
'Wicked' star Marissa Bode speaks out against 'harmful' ableist comments made about her character
'Wicked' actress Marissa Bode posted a video on TikTok asking for kindness after receiving ableist comments on social media.
One man dead after shooting at Kitchener's 'A Better Tent City'
One man is dead after an afternoon shooting at 49 Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.
'Moana 2' sails to a record US$221 million opening as Hollywood celebrates a moviegoing feast
'Moana 2' brought in a tidal wave of moviegoers over the Thanksgiving Day weekend, setting records with $221 million in ticket sales, according to estimates.
Kitchener
-
developingdeveloping Emergency crews battle large fire at Kitchener, Ont. townhouse complex
Waterloo Regional Police say Kingsway Drive will remain closed as emergency crews continue to battle a large blaze at a townhouse complex.
-
One man dead after shooting at Kitchener's 'A Better Tent City'
One man is dead after an afternoon shooting at 49 Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.
-
One man arrested after robbery involving firearm in Kitchener
One man has been arrested after a firearm was brandished during a robbery in Kitchener Saturday evening.
London
-
SIU investigating collision north of London that sent three to hospital
A collision occurred between two vehicles, and three people were transported to hospital, two with life-threatening injuries.
-
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
-
Intense Ontario snow strands vehicles, knocks out power, and is heading south
Intense snow squalls battering Ontario moved south after burying some parts of the province under more than a metre of snow, stranding vehicles and prompting one town to declare a state of emergency.
Windsor
-
Car ends up in water-filled ditch in Chatham-Kent
On Saturday afternoon at roughly 5:30 p.m., Chatham-Kent Police say that they responded to a single vehicle collision on Queens Line near Drake Road.
-
Former WWE star to appear in Leamington for NCG Wrestling's final show of 2024
The Noble Champions Group is set to present NCG Legacy, its final event of the year, on Dec. 7 at the Leamington Portuguese Community Club.
-
Three million grams of cereal collected to feed students in annual Cereal Box Challenge
The food collected will help support 33 breakfast and snack programs in the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Northern Ontario
-
Saultites keep digging as the snow keeps falling
Snowfall in Sault Ste. Marie seemed to be delayed this year, but the cruel joke by Mother Nature saw a single dump make up for weeks of fall-like weather.
-
Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable right now, but solutions on the table in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting
During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News.
-
Man fined $10K for abandoning homemade barge in Lake Nipissing
A man from Lavigne, Ont., has been fined $10,000 for abandoning a homemade barge in Lake Nipissing.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Saultites keep digging as the snow keeps falling
Snowfall in Sault Ste. Marie seemed to be delayed this year, but the cruel joke by Mother Nature saw a single dump make up for weeks of fall-like weather.
-
Two arrested following shooting on Manitoulin Island
The Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have two people in custody following a shooting incident in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Thursday.
-
Another 60 cm of snow possible in the Sault as severe weather continues
Closures and cancellations are piling up in Sault Ste. Marie as a major winter storm continues for another day Friday.
Ottawa
-
Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season
With CTV broadcasting NFL football games on Sundays this season, CTV News at Six will be broadcasting live on our website and the CTV News App.
-
Stittsville family recreates Christmas movie themed holiday light display for charity
A Christmas classic in Stittsville is back.
-
Low rise building fire seriously injures 40-year-old in downtown Ottawa
A fire that started in the basement of a two-storey building in downtown Ottawa on Saturday night seriously injured a 40-year-old, paramedics say.
Toronto
-
Female pronounced dead following collision in Pickering, unidentified male in police custody
An unidentified male is in police custody after a female died following a collision in Pickering on Sunday morning.
-
Toronto-based arts-grant provider says nearly $10M was stolen by 'cybercriminal intruder'
A Toronto-based non-profit that provides grants to musicians and others in the music industry says that nearly $10 million was stolen from its bank account by a 'cybercriminal' and then converted into cryptocurrency.
-
Why teens’ mental health may be more strained than you think heading into the holidays
While many people might think of the end of the year as a time to wind down one’s workload and take a break, a Toronto psychiatrist says young people may actually be carrying more stress than usual heading into the holiday season.
Montreal
-
Lion Electric lays off 400 employees in Canada and the United States
Lion Electric says it had no choice but to temporarily lay off around 400 employees in both Canada and the United States, the company announced on Sunday.
-
STM considers alternative site for ventilation station, offering hope to Rosemont family facing expropriation
There is still hope for a family in Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie facing the expropriation of their home by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) for a new mechanical ventilation station, as the agency now says it is considering an alternative site.
-
Montreal scientist co-leads project in NASA space probe competition
A project co-led by a Montreal scientist is a top contender for an upcoming NASA mission. The space agency has selected Advanced X-Ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS), co-led by McGill University physics professor Daryl Haggard, to advance in the next stage of its space probe competition.
Atlantic
-
A tail as big as a kite … shooting star shines bright over Christmas tree lighting in Fall River, N.S.
A resident of Fall River, N.S., captured a Christmas miracle during a tree lighting on Saturday night.
-
Modified Santa Parade draws thousands in Moncton, N.B.
A modified version of Moncton’s traditional Santa Claus parade drew thousands of people Sunday after the original parade was cancelled due to bad weather.
-
Ukrainian Club in Moncton, N.B., celebrates 3rd annual Koliada: Ukrainian Christmas Fest
The Ukrainian Club of Moncton celebrated its 3rd annual Koliada: Ukrainian Christmas Fest on Sunday to share their culture with the community and support the war effort in their home country.
Winnipeg
-
Woman arrested in Skywalk after wielding knife, threatening security: police
A Winnipeg woman is facing several charges after police said she threatened security at the Millenium Library downtown.
-
City shuts out province with 6-0 win in Winnipeg 150 hockey game
The provincial government opened the floodgates to the City of Winnipeg Saturday, falling 6-0 in a match-up 50 years in the making.
-
Winnipeg man charged after drugs, shotgun seized
A 32-year-old man has been charged with several weapon and drug-related offences by Winnipeg police.
Calgary
-
Vladar mask features tribute to Gaudreau brothers as Blue Jackets come to Calgary
It will be an emotional night for Flames fans and Gaudreau family at the Scotiabank Saddledome Tuesday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets are in town.
-
Calgary police seek arson suspect in bitcoin extortion case
Calgary police are looking for a suspect in an arson case, connected to an attempt to extort bitcoin from victims.
-
Hitmen run out of gas in the Hat as Tigers dominate 7-3
The Hitmen ran out of gas trying to extend their winning streak to six games Saturday night, dropping a 7-3 game to the Tigers in Medicine Hat.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton mayor to pitch tax reduction plan for 'immediate relief'
Edmonton's mayor is pitching a plan to lower property taxes.
-
Natural gas line severed by vehicle crash ignites fire at gas station east of Edmonton
The Tempo service station on the south side of Highway 16 at Range Road 223 burned down on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into the back of the building and severed a natural gas line.
-
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
Regina
-
Manz verdict still unknown as jury deliberations enter third day
The case of Regina chiropractor Ruben Manz sits in limbo as the court still awaits the jury's verdict Sunday morning.
-
Temperature records broken, tied following latest snowfall in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan received yet more snow as winter continues to ramp up on the prairies. With the increased precipitation, communities have recorded dipping temperatures – with a handful breaking or tying longstanding records.
-
Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening
Less than a year after an LED volume wall was introduced to the film world in Saskatchewan, the equipment is making its exit from the province.
Saskatoon
-
City crews battle overnight snowfall in Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon crews are plowing and grading high traffic roads following overnight snowfall in the city.
-
Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed her during an encounter in 2023. He recounted the incident in his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
-
One dead, two injured in Sask. highway collision
A 61-year-old man was killed and two others were taken to hospital following a collision between an SUV and a truck near Prince Albert on Friday night.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver's laughing men statues don friendship bracelets for Eras Tour
The iconic bronze statues of laughing men in Vancouver’s West End have been decked out with themed friendship bracelets ahead of another icon’s arrival in the city.
-
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
-
Vancouver police shoot carjacking suspect; IIO called in
A carjacking suspect was shot by Vancouver police early Sunday morning, prompting an investigation by the provincial watchdog.
Vancouver Island
-
Yuletide festivities help kick off holiday season in Greater Victoria
Greater Victoria has a host of yuletide festivities this weekend for residents ready to kick off the holiday season.
-
Vancouver's laughing men statues don friendship bracelets for Eras Tour
The iconic bronze statues of laughing men in Vancouver’s West End have been decked out with themed friendship bracelets ahead of another icon’s arrival in the city.
-
Vancouver police shoot carjacking suspect; IIO called in
A carjacking suspect was shot by Vancouver police early Sunday morning, prompting an investigation by the provincial watchdog.
