Ottawa man gets four months in jail for threats against a councillor

Judge Timothy Lipson found the death threats against Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stéphanie Plante were motivated by hatred of francophones. He sentenced Jason Claude Lamarche on Thursday to four months in jail and three years of probation.

In 2024, Lamarche emailed Plante accusing her of pushing a francophone agenda in Ottawa, and called her a “francophone Nazi” and a “foreign terrorist.” The email also went to media and political contacts.

“It’s part of the job, but I think we can debate without fearing for our lives.”

— Councillor Stéphanie Plante

Conditions of the sentence

• No contact, no posts about Plante online
• Barred from Ottawa City Hall
• No weapons
• DNA sample and therapy

Lamarche must also give a DNA sample and undergo therapy.