North Battleford councillor resigns after pleading guilty to assault

CBC

10 hours ago

A North Battleford city councillor has resigned his seat after pleading guilty to assault last month.
Ross MacAngus, who was re-elected for a second term on North Battleford council on Nov. 13, 2024, entered a guilty plea to a single count of assault at the Court of King's Bench in North Battleford last month.
Battlefords RCMP said last year they received a report of a sexual assault in September 2024. After an investigation, a man from North Battleford was charged with sexual assault on Nov. 26, RCMP said.
The City of North Battleford and its council issued a joint statement soon after, saying "transparency is one of the fundamental core values of the city."
That statement said MacAngus had been charged with a criminal offence, but without a conviction there was no basis to remove him from council.
Last month, the sexual assault charge against MacAngus was withdrawn after the councillor pleaded guilty to assault.
Late Monday, the City of North Battleford said MacAgnus had resigned as councillor for "personal reasons."
His resignation triggers a municipal byelection for the vacant seat. The byelection must be held within six months, and a proposed date for that vote will be brought forward at a council meeting in September, the city said.
MacAgnus will remain a councillor until the end of this month.
A sentencing hearing on his assault conviction is set for Sept. 4.