Ian Pinard is a Dominican politician. He was elected in 2005 to parliament and did not run again in 2009. In 2014, he was again elected to parliament and was appointed as a government minister. In 2016, he resigned as minister and MP in response to allegations of inappropriate relations with a minor.
Biography
[edit]Pinard was first elected to the House of Assembly the 2005 election. He was elected to represent the Soufrière constituency on the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) ticket. In 2009, Pinard declined to seek re-election due to health-related reasons.[1] Sam Martin succeeded him in parliament.[2]
Pinard was elected to parliament again the 2014 election.[1] His candidacy was endorsed by Martin.[2] On 12 December 2014, Pinard was sworn in as minister for public works and ports.[3] On 2 March 2016, Pinard resigned as government minister due to, as Caribbean360 explained, "allegations that he had inappropriate conduct with an under-aged girl."[4] The Sun Dominica described the incident as a "sex scandal" and as "an alleged relationship with a schoolgirl."[5][6] On 26 April, Pinard also resigned as MP due to the same allegations.[4] Pinard had been arrested in relation to the allegations and subsequently went on bail.[7] Following his resignation, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit publicly announced he "vowed to stand by" Pinard despite the allegations, as reported by Dominica News Online.[8]
In the by-election which resulted from Pinard's resignation, Denise Charles was chosen as the DLP candidate.[9] She had previously worked on Pinard's campaign.[10] On 15 May, Pinard endorsed Charles's candidacy. He also worked on her campaign.[11] The opposition United Workers' Party focused their campaign on the issue of child abuse due to the allegations surrounding Pinard.[7] Charles was ultimately elected.[12]
After resigning, served as acting general manager at Petro Caribe Dominica.[13] In November 2024, Pinard was elected as vice president of the DLP.[14] In December 2024, Pinard was appointed as CEO of the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "UPDATE: Ian Pinard resigns as Soufriere MP". Dominica News Online. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Sam Martin endorses Ian Pinard". Dominica News Online. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Seventeen-member cabinet of ministers sworn in". Dominica News Online. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b "MP steps aside amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with minor". Caribbean360. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Ian goes as Parl Rep too". The Sun Dominica. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "He's back". The Sun Dominica. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Eve of sacrificing Adams". The Sun Dominica. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Skerrit vows to stand by Pinard; calls supporters to arms". Dominica News Online. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "DLP confirms Denise Charles as its candidate in Soufriere by-election". Dominica News Online. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Denise Charles tipped to replace Pinard in Soufriere constituency". Dominica News Online. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "UWP leader calls for DLP to forego Soufriere by-election". Dominica News Online. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Denise Charles sworn in". Dominica News Online. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Ian Pinard appointed new DASPA CEO". Dominica News Online. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Roosevelt Skerrit re-elected as DLP leader, unopposed". Dominica News Online. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.