It is with great sadness that the founders of Pont Casse Press received the news on the passing of eminent Canadian film maker, animator, hotelier, and humanitarian Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand. At this time we extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of Mr. Langlois and Ms. Marchand.
As an entity committed to the worldwide dissemination of the arts, history and culture of Dominica, Pont Casse Press was launched in 1992 as a Canadian, United States, Dominica collaborative between then Canadian Assistant Crown Attorney Irving W. Andre and US based attorney Gabriel Christian both of Dominican heritage. It was only in November 2022 that the University of Toronto inducted the works of Pont Casse Press into its global digital library. At that event on November 3, 2022, the historic fraternal links between Canada and Dominica were celebrated. Thousands of Caribbean people of Dominican heritage call Canada home. Also, many Dominicans have been educated in Canada – to include the late Prime Ministers Mary Eugenia Charles and Roosevelt “Rosie” Douglas.
At this time, all indications are that Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand were the victims of a most gruesome crime. We ask that the Government of Dominica seek the assistance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, FBI and/or Scotland Yard to assist in bringing the guilty to justice. We also ask that a commission of inquiry be launched to determine what, if anything, could have been done to prevent these tragic deaths as we understand Mr. Langlois to have been involved in a long-running land dispute with a neighboring land-owner – United States citizen one Jonathan Lehrer of Bois Colette Plantation. As supporters of the rule of law, we condemn without reservation the culture of impunity that has arisen on Dominica in recent times that has diminished rule of law, the proper investigation of crime and the insertion into our once peaceful and law abiding country of a vicious disregard for enforcement of laws concerning citizenship, the law of diplomatic appointments and a dark cloud of dalliances between the Government of Dominica and international lawbreakers that has tarnished the national reputation.
We further understand that Mr. Lehrer and some of his associates have been detained. May this sad event cause sober reflection by our people at home and abroad as to the quality of law enforcement and rule of law on Dominica in a fashion which compels much-needed beneficial change and improvement.
May the noble legacy in the arts and humanitarian endeavors made manifest in the many worthy contributions of Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand inspire the best in every Dominican. We join the global community to which they brought much joy in mourning their loss. We shall remember them.
