
Toronto councillor denies any wrongdoing at sexual assault trial
Scarborough Coun. Michael Thompson returned to the witness box at his judge-alone trial in Barrie and gave his version of events for that Canada Day weekend, saying no one present was inebriated and nothing sexual took place.
Responding to questions from his lawyer, Leora Shemesh, Thompson repeatedly said no when asked if he had sex with anyone, if he had pressured anyone to drink, or if he had invited guests along with any sort of hidden agenda.
"Absolutely not," Thompson said. "I had no agenda."
The sitting Scarborough councillor and former deputy mayor is facing two counts of sexual assault for alleged incidents between him and two women at the Muskoka cottage.
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CTV News
12 minutes ago
- CTV News
Israeli flag installed outside town hall in Hampstead, Que. stirs local debate
Outside the Hampstead Town Hall, the addition of the flag of Israel is raising concerns among some residents. The Israeli flag has flown outside Hampstead's town hall since October 2023 — and it's getting mixed reactions from residents of the Montreal suburb. Among them is 25-year-old Adam Ben David, who says the flag doesn't belong on the municipal property. 'I think it's inflammatory to have a foreign flag that is not representative of every single person in this community, which is very diverse,' he said in an interview. The flag replaced Hampstead's municipal banner, taking its place alongside the Canadian and Quebec flags. Mayor Jeremy Levi told CTV News the move was suggested by the town's then–director general and supported by council. 'Every other government across the world had done so,' Levi said. 'We never told the DG how to do it or to remove the Hampstead flag. If Hampstead residents feel so patriotic towards the Hampstead flag, we can always install a fourth flagpole — I just don't think it's a great use of resources.' Residents split on the issue For some residents, the flag is a symbol of solidarity, but for others it's an inappropriate political statement for municipal grounds. CTV News approached several people outside town hall and in a nearby park, but the vast majority declined to speak publicly. Among those who did, opinions were divided. One woman, who asked not to be identified, said she supports keeping the flag. She described it as a sign of support, acknowledging how many communities in the Middle East are going through tragic times. 'I see nothing wrong in putting it up because it's reflecting that there's something terrible going on in Israel and we're all in mourning for that situation, collectively,' she said. Sisters Keren and Bénédicte Paka, who have lived in Hampstead for two years, saw it differently. 'It's problematic because there are many international students here, international workers, Quebecers and other people — I don't think it has its place here,' said Keren. Bénédicte added: 'I think to make everyone feel comfortable, the flag should be taken down — so that each person feels free and not oppressed by one community or another.' While there's division, Levi has been clear that he will not remove the flag. 'It doesn't matter to me if there's two signatures or 2,000 signatures,' he wrote in a statement to CTV News. 'My position will not change.' He also said he has never received a formal complaint from residents about it and, on the contrary, has received 'many compliments.' Petition for flag removal Ben David began knocking on doors this summer to build support for removing the flag. He has gathered roughly 40 signatures so far and said he plans to continue canvassing as the weather cools. 'The Israeli flag represents a whole host of things: politically, religiously, ethnically,' Ben David said. 'In my opinion, it's unfair for the mayor to hoist it on behalf of 7,000 people — because a flag can incite all sorts of things: happiness and joy, but also fear and despair.' Ben David told CTV News that some residents who agreed with him refused to sign publicly. 'They're afraid of either being chastised by the mayor or other people in our community,' he said, emphasizing that 'it's an incredibly difficult time to be Jewish.' He also questioned why the flag needed to remain permanently. 'I don't understand why it has to be permanent considering that we are a diverse plurality here,' he said. For his part, Levi rejected the allegation that residents feared harassment. 'I have never harassed or shamed a private resident and would never do so,' Levi wrote, adding that he believed the petition was politically motivated ahead of municipal elections in less than three months. He said residents who want the flag removed should take it up with council, which holds the vote. He insisted he will 'never back down from supporting Israel and the Jewish community,' adding: 'If residents are unhappy with that position, November 2, 2025, is their chance to make a change.' It's a position Levi also made clear in a post on X in late July, in which he wrote: 'I will never take down the Israeli flag, if that's a problem for you, vote me out next election.' Despite him standing firm on the decision, others, like Ben David, say they intend to push forward with their demand for the flag to come down. Ben David said he intends to bring the matter to town council next week. With the latest census data showing about 40 per cent of Hampstead residents are not Jewish, the flag remains a lightning rod in the small, predominantly Jewish suburb.


CTV News
12 minutes ago
- CTV News
‘The grief never goes away': Family of serial killer victim speaks during court hearing
The family of a woman murdered by a convicted serial killer in Winnipeg over three years ago had the chance to address a courtroom on Friday and share how her death has impacted their lives. 'The grief never goes away,' said Albert Shingoose, Ashlee's father, who was visibly emotional and at times yelled at the lawyer of his daughter's convicted killer. Ashlee Shingoose, a 30-year-old from St. Theresa Point Anishinew Nation, is believed to have been killed in March 2022 at the hands of convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. 'Living with this kind of pain is not really living,' Albert said in a written victim impact statement that was read aloud by St. Theresa Point Anishinew Nation Chief Raymond Flett. 'She left our home alone and she was doing her best to keep her dreams and goals in mind, even when she had setbacks and challenges… she had a beautiful life ahead that would have been as beautiful as she was.' For years, Ashlee's identity remained unknown, and she was gifted the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, which translates to Buffalo Woman, by members of the Indigenous community. Skibicki was convicted in July 2024 of her murder along with three other Indigenous women—Morgan Harris, 39, Marcedes Myran, 26, and Rebecca Contois, 24—but Ashlee's identity was not known until March after police made a positive identification using DNA from evidence. 'When we finally got confirmation that Buffalo Woman was (Ashlee) it was like my heart had stopped,' Albert wrote in his victim impact statement. A collage bearing Ashlee Shingoose's name and the depiction of a buffalo head stood in the courtroom, which was smudged beforehand. Her father held an eagle feather as he spoke and was surrounded by supporters. Ashlee Shingoose in an undated image. (File photo) Ashlee Shingoose in an undated image. (File photo) Manitoba Court of King's Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal said the hearing was held to 'provide the Shingoose family with the same opportunity as was provided to the families of Mr. Skibicki's other victims,' who gave victim impact statements during his sentencing last year. 'It is an opportunity to acknowledge the dignity of Ashlee Shingoose, to acknowledge who she was, where she came from, who she loved, and what was lost with her murder,' said Joyal in his opening remarks. 'I want an eye for an eye': victim's father Notably absent from the nearly full courtroom was Skibicki, who was under no legal obligation to attend. The hearing, which was of an 'extraordinary nature,' had no impact on Skibicki's legal jeopardy, according to Joyal. 'I wanted Mr. Skibicki here,' said Albert while looking at Skibicki's lawyer, Peter Kingsley. 'I would have said to him, 'I want an eye for an eye,'' said Albert. Kingsley said that Skibicki's absence was not out of 'disrespect,' but that it was his client's 'firm belief that his presence in the courtroomwould bring further harm' to the family and others. He said that he would relay the comments to Skibicki. Albert's statement said he combed the streets of Winnipeg for months after learning of Ashlee's disappearance. 'Although my wife wanted to join me in this search, she could not leave our children and grandchildren, so we had to make the decision for me to go out on my own. I left with whatever little financial resources we had as a family because our daughter needed to be found,' he wrote. 'I don't think there are words strong enough to describe the pain I live with every single day.' In August 2024, Skibicki was sentenced to four concurrent life sentences with no chance of parole for 25 years for the murders. However, Albert voiced his concern over the possibility of Skibicki's release on parole. 'He took my daughter's life away; why should he come out,' said Albert. The courtroom also heard from Theresa Shingoose, Ashlee's mother, and Melanie Beardy, Ashlee's sister. After the hearing, Albert told reporters outside the court that he was happy to have had their voices heard and is hopeful his daughter's remains will be found. Police believe Ashlee's remains are in the Brady Road Landfill in Winnipeg after her body was placed in a garbage bin on Henderson Highway. On Wednesday, Premier Wab Kinew confirmed workers have started excavating a section of the landfill where they plan to search for her remains later this year. 'What I want and what I need is for my daughter to be honoured, her story acknowledged, and for no other family to be left in the dark the way mine has been,' said Albert's victim impact statement.

CBC
12 minutes ago
- CBC
Pitt Meadows Secondary teacher charged with child luring, child pornography offences
A high school teacher in Pitt Meadows, B.C. has been charged with multiple child exploitation-related offences, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service. Court records show 30-year-old Lovesh Ramsaha has been charged with four counts, including internet luring of a child under 18, making sexually explicit material available to a child, making child pornography and distributing it. Ramsaha had been teaching at Pitt Meadows Secondary. The prosecution service said the alleged offences occurred between August 2024 and February 2025 at or near Pitt Meadows. In a statement to CBC News, Ridge Meadows RCMP said they launched an investigation in February after receiving a complaint regarding alleged sexual offences involving a local teacher. Because the suspect was in a position of authority, police said investigators acted quickly and worked with the school district to take appropriate steps. Pitt Meadows Secondary principal Colin Sharpe informed families in a letter Friday that Ramsaha had been removed from his teaching duties "as soon as the district became aware of the allegations." CBC News has obtained a copy of that letter. "Please be assured that the safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority," the letter said. The B.C. teacher registry shows an "undertaking not to practice" was placed on Ramsaha's file in March. Few other details have been released due to privacy reasons and pending criminal charges. CBC News has attempted to contact Ramsaha but has not heard back.