Canadian Parole Board extends parole for Matthew McKnight

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

After a long and sensational trial, Matthew McKnight was sentenced to eight years in prison for the sexual abuse of five women.

The Alberta Court of Appeal increased the prison sentence to eleven years, ruling that the trial judge had reduced the sentence to such an extent that public confidence in the legal system had been undermined.

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

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

According to the parole board's most recent decision on September 3, McKnight was following the rules of his residential facility and was engaged in “finance work” with the goal of obtaining a Canadian securities license.

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

McKnight's conditions prohibit him from consuming alcohol, contact with victims, using 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 provided in the Parole Board's recent decision, McKnight was found to be at medium risk to reoffend as a sex offender and at low risk overall to reoffend.

“The panel finds that you do not pose an unreasonable risk to society if you continue your sentence on parole and that your continued release will help protect society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen,” the decision said.

The committee said it had not lost sight of the “serious and violent nature” of McKnight's crimes.

According to the decision, McKnight had met the program requirements outlined in his sentencing plan, and program reports indicated he was able to recognize the harm he had caused and the “errors in reasoning” that justified his sexual offenses.

“You have made progress in understanding your risk factors and developed coping strategies to control your sex drive,” the decision states.

The committee wrote that McKnight had remained in contact with his family, who had witnessed his positive change and conscientiously followed his conditions.

The Correctional Service of Canada recommended that he continue on parole because it assessed his risk upon release as manageable.

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