The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Regina - A Saskatchewan family maliciously prosecuted as sadistic child abusers more than a dozen years ago is receiving $1.5 million from the provincial government. The money is being given out, not as a settlement, but as an interim payment to help the Klassen family while the province appeals the case. "It is an amount that we are accepting for some of the pain and suffering that has occurred and certainly legal fees," said Richard Klassen, the man who spearheaded a successful lawsuit against investigators. The 12 members of the Klassen family were charged in 1991 with abusing three foster children - a brother and his younger twin sisters - in bizarre and demonic ways. Quebec - A 68-year-old accountant was found guilty Thursday of taking part in a scheme to defraud Roman Catholic nuns of $100 million. Denis Schmouth was convicted of fraud, corruption and theft in a crooked real-estate project. Ottawa - Prime Minister Paul Martin's promise to allow more free votes in Parliament does not appear to include the gun registry. Government House leader Jacques Saada said Thursday that anything to do with fundamental positions of the government would not be subject to a free vote. Free votes allow MPs to vote as they wish, not follow the party line.
