---
title: "Man who threatened Ottawa councillor Stéphanie Plante sentenced to four months in jail"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/on/ottawa-2026/news/plante-death-threats-sentencing-2026-10-29"
last_updated: "2026-10-30T02:45:22.422Z"
---

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](/on/ottawa-2026/candidates/stephanie-plante).

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