Former St-Laurent high school basketball coach Charles Xavier Boislard has been sentenced to 48 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to exploiting a student. Court documents show Boislard, 48, took a 12-year-old student, who showed promise on the court, under his wing, later admitting in court that he became closer to the victim. He drove her to medical appointments and even took her to his home to provide her with meals and support because she came from a low-income family. The relationship went from touching to full intercourse over a years-long period, during which the victim turned 16. “The accused took her virginity and her innocence, taking away what was left of her childhood and impacting her teenage years,” said Justice Éric de Champlain during the hearing. “The consequences of his actions continue to affect the victim, and she must move ahead in life, carrying the weight.” According to the pre-sentencing report, Boislard kept blaming his victim at first, and only began to admit the relationship was inappropriate at a much later time. Boislard was initially charged with sexual assault and the exploitation of a minor. He pleaded guilty to reduced charges shortly before his trial. Prosecutor Jérôme Laflamme requested a five-year sentence, but the judge settled on four. “And the prosecution is especially satisfied that the decision shows the judge really listened to the victim — to her pain and to the consequences this crime had on her life,” said Laflamme. Last year, the victim came forward publicly to denounce what she went through. Shabeka Taylor, now 31, is suing the school centre, Boilard, and two other coaches for more than $3 million for the suffering she still lives with. Boilard is one of three coaches from the Saint-Laurent basketball program accused of sexual assault. Daniel Lacasse was acquitted of sexual exploitation and assault causing bodily harm in February 2025. “We have to trust the system when we send our kids to school and to coaches for skills parents can’t teach. Children are especially vulnerable in those situations, and sexual offences committed by coaches or teachers against students should be considered especially serious,” Laflamme said. Another coach, Robert Luu, was found guilty of sexual assault in December and is scheduled to be sentenced in March.
