Editors Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Vincent Cardinal in the deck.
ATHABASCA — A local man who exposed his genitalia to a school bus full of children earlier this summer will spend another 21 days behind bars before entering a treatment program for severe alcohol and drug addiction.
In Athabasca Court of Justice July 22, Vincent Cardinal, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of committing an indecent act in public as part of a joint submission between defence counsel Denise Lightning and Crown prosecutor Matthew Kerr. Two additional counts of failing to comply with probation orders were withdrawn as part of the submission.
Court heard on June 4, 2024, a bus transporting school kids drove through the intersection of 50 Street and 50 Ave — the former site of the Grand Union Hotel — around 3:20 p.m. Cardinal, who was standing on the sidewalk at the intersection, pulled down his pants and exposed his genitalia to the passing bus, an act several children witnessed.
The bus driver called police, and responding officers arrived at the scene and identified Cardinal, who was in the process of again pulling down his pants. Upon seeing police, he stopped and was arrested without incident.
“Mr. Cardinal, I can tell from the address where you were and likely what was going on,” said Justice Joanne Heudes. “Unfortunately, that’s an address where many people with addictions like to be in Athabasca.”
Crown prosecutor Kerr pointed to Cardinal’s criminal record as an aggravating factor, citing his long list of prior convictions and a similar incident seven years ago as context for Heudes to consider.
“It’s a four-page record, I’d describe it as an unenviable record,” said Kerr. “One thing I’d like to draw your attention to: on Jan. 26, 2017, Mr. Cardinal was convicted of indecent exposure, the same charge he’s been sentenced on today.”
Kerr did identify weak points in the Crown’s case too; he noted the witness’s description of the offender was generic, and said despite the age of the file, the Crown did not yet have a copy of the complainant’s statement.
Cardinal received three months in custody and another six months on probation for his previous conviction, but due to his expression of remorse through a guilty plea and the potential triable issues in the case, Kerr and Lightning requested the mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in custody.
Although Cardinal waived his right to a Gladue report, Lightning made several submissions on her client’s behalf, highlighting his history of hardship with a particular focus on his early life.
“He did attend residential school in Melville, Sask. until 1997, and he suffered abuse there. He observed others being abused there, which deeply affected him. He, consequently, has developed quite a severe alcohol and drug problem and is really oriented to a street lifestyle.”
In spite of his addictions, she said Cardinal is taking his recovery seriously. He’s made arrangements with Bigstone Cree Nation to enter a treatment program in September and has hopes to reconcile with his ill mother.
“He’s mortified by the charge that he has admitted to, and he’s suffered at the Remand because of it,” said Lightning. “He’s been bombed with feces, he’s been thrown off his bunk, he’s basically been victimized by others who have discovered his charges.”
Heudes sentenced Cardinal to 30 days in custody, minus nine days of enhanced time served, and waived the imposition of a victim-fine surcharge. Cardinal was left with 21 days to serve behind bars at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
“I’m really sorry for the trauma that you’ve suffered in your early life and how it’s played into you being here before us,” said Heuedes. “You are guilty, and you are embarrassed about this … that’s great insight, and I’m less concerned that this is something that’s going to be in your future.”
“I am embarrassed, it’s embarrassing,” said Cardinal.
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