Toronto

Learn about Scientology history and controversies in Toronto, Ontario.

Toronto in the News

Datesort icon Title Blurb Tags
April 23, 1992 She "Ran The Agents" The former head of Scientology’s Canadian intelligence network identified one of his underlings as being responsible for "running" agents the church had planted in several police and government agencies. Levman said defendant Jacqueline Matz "ran the agents" who got jobs in the mid-1970s with the RCMP, the OPP, Metro Police and the attorney-general’s office in order to pass information back to Scientology. crimes, Press, Toronto
April 23, 1992 Church Wanted Files, Trial Told A former senior official of the Church of Scientology testified yesterday that during a trip to Britain in 1973 he got orders to obtain police files on investigations into the organization's activities in Canada. He said techniques to be used included "ripoffs" and "agents." A "ripoff" involved "a break and enter" and the use of "agents" involved having a Scientologist get a job within a targeted organization. crimes, Press, Toronto
April 22, 1992 Ruby Outlines Case For Scientologists The successful prosecution of senior members of the Church of Scientology in the United States was held out yesterday as a basis for acquitting five Scientologists and the Toronto affiliate of criminal breach-of-trust charges. Upcoming witnesses were to testify that infiltration of the Attorney-General's Ministry involved two Scientology "plants" who worked together on obtaining information from government files. crimes, Press, Toronto
April 23, 1991 Scientology Church On Trial In Canada The Church of Scientology goes on trial in Toronto, charged with stealing thousands of documents from government offices and law firms. It is the first time that a church has been put on trial in Canada. Charges include four counts of theft of documents and information, four counts of breach of trust and seven counts of possession of stolen property. crimes, Press, Toronto
April 21, 1989 Scientologists Lose Privacy Appeal Scientology lost another round in a long-running legal effort to keep religious confessions out of the hands of police and prosecutors. The issue arose when Ontario Provincial Police, acting on warrants alleging possible tax fraud, raided the Toronto premises of the church and the home of one member in 1983, seizing more than 850 boxes of material including files, books, correspondence and other documents. crimes, lawsuits, Press, Toronto

Toronto in the News

Date Titlesort icon Blurb Tags
December 2, 1991 Toronto Raid Documents Thrown Out as Evidence Judge Southey rules that none of the documents seized in the Toronto raids can be used as evidence in the trial, because too many documents were seized in a wholesale manner by officers ignoring the limitations specified in the search warrant. raids, Toronto
December 18, 1984 Scientology's Application To Quash The Search Warrant Used In The Toronto Raid Resumes Scientology's application to quash the search warrant used in the Toronto raid resumes. The proceeding had been adjourned until the Casey Hill contempt issue had been resolved. raids, Toronto
August 31, 1978 End of the period during which Toronto End of the period during which Toronto Scientology staffers were accused of stealing documents from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (the period in the complaint was January 26, 1976, until August 31, 1978, approximately). Toronto
January 6, 1978 Church of Scientology of Toronto Church of Scientology of Toronto, Jacqueline Matz, and Nancy Troiani stop stealing documents from the law firm of Goodman & Goodman. Toronto
December 27, 1976 Church of Scientology of Toronto Church of Scientology of Toronto, Jacqueline Matz, and Nancy Troiani begin stealing documents from the law firm of Goodman & Goodman. Toronto
December 27, 1976 Church of Scientology of Toronto Church of Scientology of Toronto, Jacqueline Matz, Clara Anne Schneider, and Ernest Lehmann start stealing documents from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Toronto
February 28, 1976 The Toronto Scientology defendants allegedly begin stealing The Toronto Scientology defendants allegedly begin stealing documents from the Metropolitan Toronto Police, according to charges laid against them. (From the charges: "CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF TORONTO, JAQUELINE MATZ and MARILYN LINDA BELAIRE STAND CHARGED THAT they, together with JOHN BRADLEY, within the period commencing on or about the 28th day of February, 1976, at the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, did steal documents relating to the investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Toronto Police into the activities of Church of Scientology of Toronto, the property of the Metropolitan Toronto Police, of a value exceeding $200.00, contary to s.294(a) of the Criminal Code;") There was a directed verdict of not guilty, since a judge ruled that ALL of the documents seized in the raids were "confessional materials" and therefore inadmissable as evidence. Toronto
February 28, 1976 The Toronto Scientology defendants allegedly stop committing The Toronto Scientology defendants allegedly stop committing a breach of trust, according to charges laid against them. (From the charges: "CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF TORONTO, JAQUELINE MATZ and MARILYN LINDA BELAIRE, an official employed by the Metropolitan Toronto Police, STAND CHARGED THAT they, together with JOHN BRADLEY, within the period commencing on or about the 23rd day of July, 1974 and ending on or about the 28th day of February, 1976, at the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, unlawfully did commit a breach of trust in connection with the duties of the office held by MARILYN LINDA BELAIRE, in that the latter disclosed to unauthorized persons information coming to her knowledge or possession by reason of her office, contary to s.111 of the Criminal Code;") All three defendants were found not guilty on this charge. Toronto
January 31, 1976 Paulette Cooper Deposed In Toronto Lawsuit Paulette Cooper deposed in Toronto lawsuit. Paulette Cooper, Toronto
January 30, 1976 Paulette Cooper Deposed In Toronto Lawsuit Paulette Cooper deposed in Toronto lawsuit. Paulette Cooper, Toronto