Parole Board of Canada extends day parole for Matthew McKnight

A former Edmonton nightclub promoter convicted in 2020 of sexually assaulting five women has been granted day parole again by the Parole Board of Canada.

After a long and high-profile trial, Matthew McKnight was convicted of sexually assaulting five women and sentenced to eight years in prison.

The Court of Appeal of Alberta lengthened the term to 11 years, ruling the trial judge had reduced his sentence to the point of undermining public confidence in the justice system.

McKnight was first released on day parole in March to a community-based residential facility.

Const. Tania Visintin with the Vancouver Police Department told CBC News he is living in Vancouver and being monitored by the VPD's high-risk offender unit.

According to the parole board's most recent decision, dated Sept. 3, McKnight followed the rules of his residential facility and has been employed "in the area of finance" with a focus of obtaining a Canadian securities licence.

Offenders on day parole are allowed to participate in community-based activities but must return each night to a community-based residential facility or halfway house. They must obey the law and follow certain conditions.

McKnight's conditions bar him from consuming alcohol, contacting victims, consuming drugs and entering drinking establishments. He must also report all of his sexual and non-sexual relationships with women and avoid the greater Edmonton area.

According to actuarial estimates mentioned in the parole board's recent decision, McKnight was deemed a moderate risk to sexually reoffend and a low risk to reoffend generally.

"It is the board's opinion that you will not present an undue risk to society if continued on day parole and that your continued release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen," the decision reads.

The board said it has not lost sight of the "serious and violent nature" of McKnight's offences.

According to the decision, McKnight had completed programming requirements outlined in his correctional plan and program reports showed he was able to identify the harm he caused and the "thinking errors" that justified his sexual offending.

"You have been able to make progress in understanding your risk factors and develop coping strategies to manage your sexual urges," the decision says.

The board wrote that McKnight has stayed in contact with family, who have seen him change positively and follow his conditions diligently.

The Correctional Service of Canada recommended he continue day parole, assessing his risk on release to be manageable.

Offenders are eligible for full parole when they have served one third of their sentence, or seven years, whichever is less. Full parole allows offenders to live in private residences.