The case Auguste v. Ottawa Police Services et al., 2024 ONSC 4956, involves plaintiffs Cherryl Auguste and her family suing several defendants, including the Ottawa Police Service and other government bodies. The key points are:
- Plaintiffs' Allegations:
- Illegal detention of Cherryl Auguste by Ottawa Police in October 2022.
- She was handcuffed in front of her children and taken to a hospital, where she was chained to a bed.
- Allegations of racial profiling, police misconduct, and excessive force.
- Claims of injury due to police actions (e.g., numbness leading to finger damage).
- Broad accusations of ongoing racial discrimination since the family’s immigration in 2017.
- Legal Claims:
- Violations of Charter rights, Canadian Human Rights Act, and Police Services Act.
- The plaintiffs sought $500 million in damages: $400 million for pain and suffering, $50 million each in punitive and aggravated damages.
- Defendants' Position:
- The provincial defendants (His Majesty the King and the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency) requested dismissal, claiming the suit lacks a factual basis against them.
- Court Decision:
- The court found the claim lacked legal merit and dismissed it, noting it appeared frivolous and vexatious.
This dismissal applied only to the provincial defendants; other claims against the Ottawa Police and related entities may proceed.
