Man who threatened Ottawa councillor Stéphanie Plante sentenced to four months in jail
An Ottawa judge found that Jason Claude Lamarche was motivated by hatred for francophones when he sent death threats to Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante in 2024.
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An Ottawa judge sentenced a man to four months in jail on Thursday after ruling that death threats he sent to Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante in 2024 were motivated by hatred for the francophone community.
Ontario Court Justice Timothy Lipson sentenced Jason Claude Lamarche, 49, after convicting him of criminal harassment and uttering death threats, the Ottawa Citizen reported. In addition to the jail term, Lamarche received three years of probation and a court order to stay at least 250 metres from Plante's home, her workplace, and any location where she carries out her duties as councillor.
Plante was re-elected to a second term on Monday.
What the emails said
Lamarche sent two emails to Plante from his Gmail account in June 2024. The first warned her that her "days are numbered" and told her to consider her "immediate safety." Plante replied briefly to correct the spelling of her surname, which Lamarche had misspelled deliberately as "Plant."
About an hour later, Lamarche sent a second email. Lipson said its tone "escalated sharply." It referenced a "death sentence," threatened to send a "private militia" after Plante, and contained phrases including "wanted dead or alive" and "shoot to kill." The judge described the two emails as "serious and disturbing" in their content and in the effect they had on Plante's sense of safety.
Lipson also noted that Lamarche had numerous political and media contacts, which he said "amplified" the threats and counted as an aggravating factor in the sentence.
The hate ruling
In a statement to the court on Monday, Lamarche complained about French-language job requirements in the Ottawa region and used the phrase "francophone blood." Lipson ruled the threats were motivated by hatred for the francophone community.
The judge noted the irony of Lamarche's background: he has a French surname and was born in Ottawa to one anglophone parent and one francophone parent. Lipson also pointed out that Lamarche had studied political science and participated in campaigns, including a run for office in Vancouver in 2011.
Plante's statement
Plante attended the October 29 hearing and read a victim-impact statement. She told the court that the threats left her and her family afraid, and that too many female politicians had been targeted by similar harassment. After the hearing, she thanked the judge for recognizing those facts. She told reporters she felt "relieved" when police officers led Lamarche from the courtroom.
Plante represents Rideau-Vanier ward. Residents can read her candidate page at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates/stephanie-plante.
Questions this story answers
Who was sentenced for threatening Coun. Stéphanie Plante?
Jason Claude Lamarche, 49, was sentenced on October 29, 2026. Ontario Court Justice Timothy Lipson sentenced Lamarche after a conviction on charges of criminal harassment and uttering death threats against Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante, the Ottawa Citizen reported. Lamarche sent the threatening emails to Plante in June 2024. He received four months in jail and three years of probation.
What did the judge say motivated the threats?
Ontario Court Justice Timothy Lipson ruled that the threats were motivated by hatred for the francophone community. Lamarche made statements about the prevalence of French-language job requirements in the Ottawa region and used the phrase 'francophone blood' in his statement to the court. The judge noted the irony that Lamarche himself has a French surname and was born to one anglophone and one francophone parent.
What threats did Lamarche send?
Lamarche sent two emails to Plante from his Gmail account in June 2024. The first warned her that her 'days are numbered' and told her to consider her 'immediate safety.' After Plante sent a brief reply correcting the spelling of her surname, Lamarche sent a second email whose tone escalated sharply. That email referenced a 'death sentence,' threatened to send a 'private militia' after her, and contained phrases such as 'wanted dead or alive' and 'shoot to kill.'
What sentence did Lamarche receive?
Ontario Court Justice Timothy Lipson sentenced Lamarche to four months in jail and three years of probation, the Ottawa Citizen reported. The judge also ordered Lamarche not to communicate with Plante in any way and to stay at least 250 metres from her home, her workplace, and any location where she carries out her duties as a councillor.
Did Coun. Plante speak at the sentencing?
Yes. Plante attended the October 29 hearing and read a victim-impact statement into the record. She described the fear she and her family felt after the threats, and told the court that too many female politicians had been targeted by threats and harassment. After the hearing, she thanked the judge for recognizing those facts. She said she felt 'relieved' when two police officers led Lamarche from the courtroom.
What did the judge say about the emails?
The Ottawa Citizen reported that Judge Lipson described the two emails as 'serious and disturbing' in their content and in the effect they had on Plante's sense of safety. The judge said Lamarche's political commentary 'gave way to overt threats.' He also noted that Lamarche's numerous political and media contacts 'amplified' the threats and counted as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
What is Stéphanie Plante's role on Ottawa City Council?
Stéphanie Plante is the councillor for the Rideau-Vanier ward. She was re-elected to a second term on October 26, 2026, Ottawa's municipal voting day. The Rideau-Vanier ward is in the eastern part of the city's core. Her page on this site is at /on/ottawa-2026/candidates/stephanie-plante.
Why did the judge find hate to be a factor in the threats?
Judge Lipson pointed to statements Lamarche made in court, including complaints about the prevalence of French-language job requirements in the Ottawa region and his use of the phrase 'francophone blood.' Lamarche's numerous political and media contacts were also named as an aggravating factor by the judge, who said those contacts 'amplified' the threats. The Ottawa Citizen reported this as part of the judge's ruling on October 29, 2026.
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