Peter Nygard's extradition appeal dismissed by Manitoba court

A Manitoba court has dismissed Peter Nygard's appeal of an order to have him extradited to the U.S., more than a year after the former fashion executive's lawyers argued their case in court.

The 82-year-old's lawyers argued in April 2023 that the Manitoba Court of Appeal should quash an order from Canada's justice minister to extradite Nygard to the U.S. to face sex trafficking and racketeering charges in the Southern District of New York, once his Canadian charges are dealt with.

But a May 3 court decision signed by a panel of three judges says there is no reason to interfere with the 2022 surrender order that the justice minister at the time, David Lametti, made under the Extradition Act.

U.S. authorities sought Nygard's extradition from Canada on a nine-count indictment filed in New York alleging he was involved in illegal activity for the purpose of sexually abusing and trafficking women and underage girls.

Nygard's lawyers argued it would be unjust to extradite Nygard without getting assurances from the justice minister that his rights would be protected. One of those assurances included not being sent to the Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC) in New York, over concerns about his health and safety.

They also argued Nygard shouldn't be surrendered to the U.S. on the racketeering charge because there's no comparable offence in Canada.

But the court decision says Lametti provided detailed and careful reasons in response to Nygard's concerns and his surrender order was justified.

"I have not been persuaded that this is one of those exceptional cases where it is appropriate to disturb the Minister's refusal to seek an assurance," the court document, written by Justice Christopher Mainella, says.

"I would dismiss the application for judicial review of the Minister's decision ordering the applicant's surrender to the USA," Mainella wrote.

The document also says the minister was satisfied that Nygard would be "humanely treated if housed at MDC in light of his age, health vulnerabilities and the well-documented difficulties that the facility has had in the past."

Mainella wrote, "The applicant has not persuaded me that it was unjust, oppressive, otherwise contrary to the Charter or in any way unreasonable for the Minister to have surrendered him to stand trial on all of the offences for which the USA sought his extradition, including the racketeering conspiracy."

The decision was also signed by justices Holly Beard and Marc Monnin.

Nygard was found guilty by a Toronto jury last November of four counts of sexual assault, in connection with assaults in Toronto during a period from the late 1980s to around 2005. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 14.

He is still facing charges in Manitoba and Quebec. No dates have been set for the Winnipeg trial yet.

Nygard has consistently denied allegations against him.