Drunk driver who killed family of four near Saskatoon denied full parole
A woman who was convicted of killing a family of four while she was driving impaired has been denied full parole.
Catherine McKay, who is 54, will remain on day parole for at least six months.
Jordan and Chanda Van De Vorst, as well as their two children, were killed on the outskirts of Saskatoon in 2016 when McKay ran a stop sign and crashed into the family's vehicle.
The Parole Board of Canada, which made its decision last month, says full parole is premature for McKay, who the board says has issues managing her emotions and is at times disrespectful to her case managers when things don't go her way.
In its written decision, the board says McKay has lacked empathy as demonstrated by recent behaviours, including getting visibly upset when she was previously denied full parole and getting told she couldn't visit her son on a weekend pass.
A request from McKay to visit a pub for a memorial service was also a factor in the board denying her request for full parole.
"It also appears that you struggle with insight into some of your high-risk situations, such as wanting to attend a drinking establishment and continuing to pursue this option, while you have a board-imposed condition in place and also while you were told no by your case management team," the decision reads.
McKay must abide by several conditions while she remains on day parole, including a curfew, a ban on using drugs and alcohol and avoiding contact with the victims' relatives.
McKay had told the board she does not view herself as a risk to society and that nothing would trigger her to drink again, as it repulses her. The decision says she felt she should be released because she had done everything asked of her.
While in custody, McKay has participated in programs to address her substance abuse and other risks that could lead to reoffending. She has also successfully passed numerous drug tests.
The board says McKay has been assessed as having "high reintegration potential," but it was felt "a slow and restructured release is paramount."
"You have taken some weekend passes to your proposed accommodations and this remains an important step as you transition to an expanded form of release," the decision says.
"The board encourages these to continue as these passes allow you to gain further opportunities to apply your skills in a more independent setting."
The board concluded that McKay needs to continue to manage her emotions as they are a contributing factor in her offending.
"Having a slow and structured release, which allows you to continue to put your relapse prevention plan and coping skills into place to manage difficult situations, is assessed as the appropriate next step to support a structured release."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.