Saskatoon judge blasts former Canada Post manager for ‘humiliating’ verbal and physical assaults on co-worker
A Saskatoon judge says Roderick Nuque engaged in “abhorrent and disgusting” behaviour when he tormented a female co-worker.
Nuque, 43, pleaded guilty in Saskatoon provincial court on Sept. 19 to single counts of harassment and assault. The offences took place over a four-year span, ending in 2021.
Nuque is no longer with Canada Post.
“I find your conduct disgusting, particularly in your role of supervisor,” said Judge Doug Agnew.
Court heard how Nuque, at various points, grabbed the woman by the hips from behind and then made a variety of suggestive, disparaging remarks about her hair, clothing and sexual practices.
Prosecutor Aaron Martens and defence lawyer Linh Pham presented a joint submission for a sentence of 18 months probation followed by a conditional discharge.
Agnew initially rejected the submission, referencing how Nuque admitted to laying hands on the victim, “humiliating” her for four years.
“You should have a record for what you did,” he said.
However, Martens and Pham defended the submission, arguing that delays at Court of King’s Bench meant that the length of time between the initial charges and a trial could have been an issue. They also noted that the guilty plea saved the woman from having to testify.
Outside court, Martens referenced a Supreme Court decision outlining the circumstances under which a joint submission could be rejected.
“The judge, as you heard, was very unhappy with whether or not this was a fit sentence. He didn’t think it was,” Martens said.
“However, that’s not the legal test. The Supreme Court … dealt with joint submissions, and when judges can depart from them. And ultimately the test isn’t would the judge give the same sentence. Rather, would the sentence bring the administration of justice into disrepute, considering all of the factors?”
According to Nuque’s Linked-In profile, he had worked for Canada Post 13 years and became superintendent of the mail plant in Saskatoon in 2016.