Alberta man convicted in deaths of Métis hunters has appeal dismissed by Supreme Court
Canada’s Top Court Rejects Appeal in Deaths of Two Métis Hunters
Canada’s highest court has decided not to hear the appeal of one of the individuals found guilty in the tragic deaths of two Métis hunters in northeastern Alberta. Anthony Bilodeau’s request for leave to appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court without providing reasons for the decision, as is customary.
Anthony Bilodeau was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Maurice Cardinal, and manslaughter in the death of Cardinal’s nephew, Jacob Sansom. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 13 years.
The incident occurred on the night of March 27, 2020, when Sansom and Cardinal were shot and killed on a rural Alberta road. Anthony Bilodeau fired the fatal shots after his father, Roger Bilodeau, chased down the hunters in his truck.
Roger Bilodeau was also found guilty of manslaughter in the two killings and received a 10-year prison sentence, with credit for time already served. Both father and son were convicted following a jury trial in 2022.
The court heard that Roger Bilodeau initiated a high-speed car chase, mistakenly believing Sansom and Cardinal were thieves. In reality, they were returning from a moose-hunting trip. As Roger pursued the hunters through a remote area near Glendon, he instructed his son to bring a gun. Anthony Bilodeau arrived and ultimately shot Sansom and Cardinal.
After the shooting, the Bilodeaus fled the scene, leaving Cardinal, 57, and Sansom, 39, to succumb to their injuries. Their bodies were discovered on the road the following morning.
While Anthony Bilodeau’s appeal has been rejected, Roger Bilodeau’s appeal to the Supreme Court is still pending. Both men had their convictions upheld by the Court of Appeal of Alberta.
Roger Bilodeau, a 61-year-old farmer from Glendon, was recently granted extended day parole.
The tragic deaths of Maurice Cardinal and Jacob Sansom have left a lasting impact on their families and the Métis community in Alberta. The legal proceedings surrounding the case serve as a reminder of the importance of justice and accountability in cases of senseless violence.
