An Ottawa pediatric surgeon had entered into a relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ex-wife Sophie Gregoire by the time the breakup became international news. A divorce application obtained by Canadian freelance journalist Glen McGregor's Substack A Few Tasteful Snaps on Tuesday indicates Ottawa resident Ana Remonda alleges her ex-husband Dr. Marcos Bettolli has “re-partnered with a high-profile individual who attracts significant media attention and presents significant security consideration.”That person is not identified by name in the court documents, but A Few Tasteful Snaps learned Remonda’s claim refers to Sophie. Remonda said she takes no position on Bettolli’s personal life, but the new relationship has created unspecified security concerns the children in his care are exposed to. She has requested a court order to ensure the two children can have some privacy and protection. “Ana had thought the parties had reached an agreement that the [children] would not interact with the new partner, but Marcos has not respected that and it has caused the [children] discomfort and anxiety,” she said. Bettolli, who works at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), said in his reply to the divorce application obtained by A Few Tasteful Snaps that her attitude towards his new relationship “is not in the children’s best interest.”He alleged she has threatened to uproot her life in Canada and return to Argentina if the public found out about this relationship. “She has also, after discovering Marcos’ new relationship, accessed his personal computer files and threatened to publish intimate photos of Marcos,” he said.A Few Tasteful Snaps said none of the allegations have been proven in court. The case is ongoing. Remonda’s lawyer Katherine Cooligan and Bettolli’s lawyer Gil Rumstein declined to comment to A Few Tasteful Snaps on the case on behalf of their clients. Sophie could not be reached for comment in time for publication.After the Trudeaus split was announced, government sources said she had moved out of Rideau Cottage, but she intended to come often to co-parent their three children. The location of her new home is unknown, but A Few Tasteful Snaps confirmed she has posted Instagram videos on mental health and gender equality that appear to have been recorded in the loft of a modern condo building in Ottawa neighbourhood New Edinburgh. Unmarked vehicles with what appear to be plainclothes RCMP officers inside have been seen in recent weeks outside the building, which is listed in the court documents as Bettolli’s address.The RCMP often provide some personal protection for former prime ministers after they leave office when needed. Former prime minister Jean Chretien elected to continue to receive personal protection when he stepped down in 2003, but former prime minister John Turner did not. However, the situation with her is unusual, as Justin remains in office and has been threatened multiple times. He has been confronted by angry protestors at public events and campaign stops. She has been targeted. The RCMP charged an Alberta woman with uttering threats against her online in 2017. “For security reasons and to ensure the safety of our members and of those we protect, we cannot discuss specific details of protective plans, tactics or operations” RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Kim Chamberland told A Few Tasteful Snaps. Chamberland said the level of protection provided is based on routine assessments of the threats encountered by them. Remonda and Bettolli married in Argentina and moved to Canada in 2004. They separated in 2020, but they lived in the same house until he moved out in 2021. Their divorce proceedings revolve around support payments and division of financial assets, including a manor home in Ottawa valued at $2.6 million in 2022 and three condos in Miami worth a total of $1.4 million. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery and chest wall deformities in children. In addition to his work at CHEO, he teaches at the University of Ottawa’s medical school. The Trudeaus decided to separate after 18 years of marriage in August. READ MORE: Trudeau and wife Sophie split“Justin and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate,” said Sophie. “As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build.”
