Ontario

Ontario Judge Questions Credibility of Complainant in Landmark Sexual Assault Case Involving Five Former Junior Hockey Stars

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LONDON, Ontario — A judge has ruled in the high-profile sexual assault trial involving five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team, stating that she found the complainant’s testimony lacking in credibility. Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia announced her decision, although she has yet to finalize the charges against each of the accused players. The accused — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote — have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in a hotel room on June 19, 2018. McLeod faces … Read more

Ontario Courts Tighten Access to Zoom Hearings Amid Rising Disruptions from ‘Zoom Bombing’

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Ontario, Canada — Remote access to court proceedings will soon be limited as the Ministry of the Attorney General takes steps to mitigate disruptions caused by unauthorized viewers. The policy change comes in response to a rise in what has been termed “Zoom Bombing,” a frustrating trend where individuals join virtual meetings to create chaos and share inappropriate content. Beginning in mid-July, only specific individuals, including victims, complainants, and members of the media, will be permitted to access court hearings via Zoom after obtaining special approval. This change marks a significant shift, as the general … Read more

Nine Ontario First Nations Sue Federal Government Over Controversial Law Allowing Fast-Tracked Resource Projects

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Nine First Nations in Ontario have filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government, contesting a new federal law that permits the expedited approval of infrastructure projects, including oil pipelines, deemed to be in the “national interest.” This legislation, recently passed by Parliament, allows the government to designate certain projects for fast-tracking, potentially bypassing existing federal and provincial regulations. Prime Minister Mark Carney, a member of the Liberal Party, has praised the legislation as a fulfillment of his campaign promise to enhance the approval process for essential infrastructure initiatives, particularly those related to mining and oil … Read more

Ontario Court Declares Mistrial in High-Profile Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Case

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LONDON, Ontario — A judge has declared a mistrial in a high-profile sexual assault case involving former National Hockey League players, disrupting proceedings that had just begun this week at the Ontario Superior Court. The announcement came just two days after the prosecution opened its case against Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote, who are all accused of sexually assaulting a young woman in 2018. The decision to halt the trial was made by Justice Maria Carroccia after an unspecified issue arose Wednesday. The jury, comprising 11 women and three … Read more