Economy

A Quebec man accused of sexually exploiting children has been awarded $5,000 in damages after a law firm rescinded a job offer upon learning of the criminal charges against him. The ruling, handed down February 2 by the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal and revealed this week by Droit-inc, found that Antoine Absi experienced prohibited discrimination during the hiring process.

Absi, a law student since 2020, faces eight serious charges dating back to October 2022, including luring a minor, inciting a minor to engage in sexual activity, and producing child pornography – now referred to as “material of sexual abuse and exploitation of children.” Despite the pending charges, Absi applied for a position as a legal services sales agent at the firm Néolégal in May 2023. He was initially offered the position, contingent on a background check.

According to the tribunal’s decision, Absi proactively disclosed his “background” related to the juvenile pornography charges to his prospective employer. Néolégal immediately terminated the hiring process, deeming the accusation “too sensitive.” The tribunal ruled that this action constituted discrimination under Article 18.2 of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which prohibits refusing employment solely based on a criminal conviction unrelated to the job.

Judge Sophie Lapierre stated that Absi was the victim of prohibited discrimination, according to the ruling. The case highlights a complex intersection of legal principles, balancing the rights of an accused individual with the concerns of an employer regarding reputational risk and workplace safety.

The decision comes amid increased scrutiny of online predators and efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation. In December 2025, Le Journal de Montréal reported on the pending 18 new charges against a 37-year-vintage repeat cyber predator arrested the previous summer. Around the same time, Le Journal de Québec published a list of 15 individuals identified as particularly dangerous online predators operating since the early 2000s. Earlier this month, on February 12, 2026, another cyber predator was sentenced to 5000$ after luring 12 and 13 year old boys. Experts at Radio-Canada have emphasized the importance of parents engaging in open conversations with their children about online safety and potential risks, noting that abuse often occurs within familiar settings.

The ruling does not address the merits of the criminal charges against Absi, only the legality of the employment decision made in light of those charges. Néolégal has not publicly commented on the tribunal’s decision or indicated whether it intends to appeal.

UBS has significantly raised its gold price forecast to $6,200 per ounce for March, June, and September 2026, citing unexpectedly strong investment demand, according to a report released Friday. The revised projection marks a substantial increase from a previous target of $5,000.

The upward revision follows similar moves by other major financial institutions. Goldman Sachs recently increased its 12-month gold price target to $4,500 per ounce, while also anticipating a price of $4,000 per ounce by June 2026. UBS had previously forecast $3,900 for mid-2026, and Goldman Sachs predicted $4,000 for the same period.

UBS initially raised its 2025 forecast to $3,800 per ounce in September 2025, up from $3,500, attributing the change to anticipated adjustments in U.S. Monetary policy. Goldman Sachs, at the same time, projected $3,700 for the finish of 2025. Analysts point to expectations of interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve as a key driver, as lower rates typically increase the appeal of gold and can weaken the U.S. Dollar.

The surge in gold prices, which have risen more than 35% since January, is also being fueled by central bank buying and ongoing geopolitical tensions. In July 2025, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and UBS all recommended buying gold following the Trump administration’s announcement of tariffs against the European Union and other trading partners.

These forecasts reflect a broadly optimistic outlook within the gold market, with ANZ Group also targeting $3,800 an ounce by the end of 2025 and $4,000 by June 2026. The confluence of these bullish predictions underscores a growing confidence in gold as a safe-haven asset and a hedge against economic uncertainty.