



An arson conviction no, she was convicted, challenged the conviction spent 2 years in jail 3 years probation and was exonerated in October of 2017. This make national news as a self represented person the court of appeal held that her rights were violated by the Judge and crown prosecutor. Top freedom was a huge movement a gender issue in Ontario Canada Ms. Tossounian's legal victory was notable in overturning the policy

Artist present picture, Jeannette Tossounian

Jeannette Tossounian (Armenian/Italian: [/jeannette/ /toss/ /own/ /i/ /an/] : 3 September 1975 - Present) is a Canadian an artist, author and activist..[1][2] whose areas of interest include painting, sculpting, writing, and poetry.

Born to Maria Tossounian and Mardik Tossounian in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia (Kelowna), Jeannette was curious in art and self educated with guidance by her uncle Panos Tossounian, a wild life artist who worked in oils in the 1990's and early 2000's until his death and uncle Frank Pinzaglia known in the Vancouver British Columbia gay arts scene, a life long artist working originally in the 1970's in minimalist abstracts in oranges and browns, the colours of the time.

Jeannette Tossounian was one of the first person in Canada to establish a Medicinal Marijuana club in 1998 in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario prior to the government of Canada making these clubs legal[3][4]. The activist's club remained open despite being technically outside the law due to Tossounian's refusal to provide cannabis to people for recreational purposes.

Jeannette Tossounian graduated from Niagara College of Applied Arts aind Technology in the Niagara Region in 2001.

File:Ottawa Peace Tower .jpg Peace Tower acquired by Senator Kim Pate

In addition to creating works of art, Jeannette Tossounian operated art galleries called the "Tossounian Gallery" from 2002 to 2004, then in 2008 and again in 2012 within St. Catharines and Niagara Falls of the Niagara Region in Ontario, Canada. Jeannette also had a semi-public studio in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Jeannette Tossounian has sold many pieces privately of note[5] to a sitting Canadian Senator and former executive director of the Canadian Elizabeth Fry Societies Kim Pate.

Jeannette Tossounian is politically active running as an independent candidate in the 2011/2012 Ontario Provincial Election[6][7][8].

In 2012 Jeannette Tossounian opened an art gallery on Welland Avenue in St. Catharines, five days after opening the gallery it was on fire, the Artist was charged with Arson of the uninsured commercial space. No one was injured in the fire that destroyed the commercial unit. A trial was held in St. Catharines, Ontario, with the artist pleading not-guilty. The Artist was convicted of Arson and sent Ontario Prison for 2 years.[9]

After release and 3 years probation, in July of 2017 it was ruled that the Arson trial was a mis-trial. This overturned the conviction from 2012. The Crown had withheld disclosure and the trial judge that convicted Jeannette Tossounian did not provide adequate to her as a self represented person[10]. The court of appeal in Ontario ruled that Ms. Tossounian had been subject to Charter breaches and that the key justice workers had failed in their responsibility to her as a self represented accused person[11][12]

While incarcerated Jeannette Tossounian challenged the Jail's policy regarding the forced dress code that required female inmates to wear a bra[13][14]. The Correctional Services institution Vanier Centre for Women in 2012 to 2014 had policy that a women must wear a bra. Due to Jeannette Tossounian's refusal to abide the wrongfully convicted artist was placed in maximum security and segregation. This treatment was challenged as Jeannette Tossounian went on a hunger strike. The result of her efforts was the rescinding of the aspect of the policy regarding the wearing of bras at the Human Rights Tribunal in Ontario Canada.[15]

After release from prison in 2014, Jeannette Tossounian ran unsuccessfully for Regional Councillor in the Niagara Region[16]. Jeannette Tossounian published "Songs From the Slammer" a book of poetry and sketches created within her cell[17]. In 2016, Jeannette Tossounian published "The Human Kennel" a novel of non-fiction detailing her 2 year stay in Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, Ontario, Lindsay Correctional Facility in Lindsay, Ontario and Ottawa Carlton Detention Centre (OCDC) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada[18]. Jeannette Tossounian is an active advocate for women and incarcerated persons demanding reforms to the Canadian Penal System[19][20]. For her efforts Jeannette Tossounian was awarded the 2017 Civil Liberty Award from the Ontario Civil Liberties Association[21]

Jeannette exhibited public-ally in the Niagara region, in Ottawa, Ontario and in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada[22]The artist is continuing to produce art and projects in Eastern Ontario including a Mural on the recreational trail[23]

Mural Project 2017 to 2018 in Bourget, Ontario

References [ edit ]