Mediation for class-action sex abuse lawsuit against Calgary Stampede begins
The two-day mediation process is scheduled to take place Dec. 14 and 15 at the Calgary Courts Centre.
Talks will determined how much money the victims are owed in a partial settlement against the Calgary Stampede.
The lawsuit stems from the actions of Philip Heerema, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 for sexually exploitative acts related to six members of the Young Canadians.
The Young Canadians are a performing arts group that stars nightly in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show.
The sexual abuse took place over two decades between 1992 and 2014.
"No child should suffer the abuse that occurred under the Stampede's watch," said an anonymous member of the class action lawsuit.
"Because of what happened, I continue to feel a mix of shame, anger, embarrassment, and guilt.
"But mostly, I feel sad when I am reminded of the abuse endured by my friends and fellow Young Canadians."
The member said they feel "optimistic" that the Calgary Stampede will take the necessary actions to prevent any future crimes.
"(They will) demonstrate that they take these matters seriously, that they accept responsibility for the abuse that occurred under their watch and that they are now committed to ensuring the safety of the children who participate in their many youth programs."
Another victim and member of the class action said what happened while they were with the Young Canadians "changed the course" of their life.
"I have struggled to move on in part due to the ongoing legal battle that never seems to end. We are constantly waiting months for court dates for the Stampede to come around at the 11th hour," they wrote in a statement to CTV News.
"It’s hard to imagine a teacher could be sexually abusing students on the Stampede's watch for decades. The evidence that came forward through this process has been gut-wrenching."
They also said that since the process has gone on for so long, Hereema is now eligible for parole.
"It makes me absolutely sick to think that a man who was abusing students at the Calgary Stampede for decades could be out of prison before the victims get to move past what occurred."
The partial settlement was announced in July and approved by a judge in September, with the Calgary Stampede accepting liability and agreeing to pay out damages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
BREAKING
BREAKING Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Canada issues travel warning after 6 people die from tainted alcohol in Laos
The Canadian government is warning travellers following the deaths of at least six people in the mass poisoning of foreign tourists in Laos after drinking tainted alcohol.
Unruly passenger duct-taped after trying to open a plane's door mid-flight
An assertive group of cross-country travellers pinned and duct-taped an unruly passenger mid-flight, after he allegedly tried to open a plane door at 30,000 feet.
Canada's new income tax brackets in 2025: What you need to know
The Canada Revenue Agency has released updated federal income tax brackets for 2025, reflecting adjustments for inflation. Here’s the breakdown.
Matt Gaetz says he's not returning to U.S. Congress next year
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general on Thursday, said Friday he will not be returning to U.S. Congress next year.
Young man arrested after 'disturbing' sexual notes left for women, B.C. RCMP say
A young man has been arrested after multiple women reported receiving “disturbing” sexual notes – or in some cases underwear – in the same Burnaby, B.C., neighbourhood over recent months, the RCMP announced Thursday.
Enslaved on OnlyFans: Women recount torment and sexual servitude
OnlyFans says it empowers content creators, particularly women, to monetize sexually explicit images and videos in a safe online environment. But a Reuters investigation found women who said they had been deceived, drugged, terrorized and sexually enslaved to make money from the site.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
Woman accused in drowning of girl at Alberta lake had been under house arrest
A bail hearing has heard that a woman accused in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl in an Alberta lake didn't know the child and was supposed to be under house arrest.
-
Fleury helps Wild beat Oilers in his 1,000th career start
It certainly wasn’t the start Marc-Andre Fleury was expecting in what was otherwise a milestone night for the veteran Minnesota Wild goaltender.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Snowfall warning for tonight and Saturday
A few sunny breaks in the Edmonton area this morning, but we'll be under a thick blanket of fresh snow just 24 hours from now.
Lethbridge
-
Hurricanes kick off U.S. road trip with a loss, falling 4-0 to Silvertips
The Hurricanes launched a three-game road trip south of the border Wednesday dropping a 4-0 game to the league-best Everett Silvertips.
-
Lethbridge residents asked to show some love to downtown businesses during holidays
A new citywide campaign is hoping to encourage residents to shop, eat and explore local this holiday season.
-
Lethbridge career exploration day aims to get women more involved in agriculture
Agriculture is an industry mainly dominated by men, but around 80 middle school and high school students – all of whom are female – are hoping to change that.
Vancouver
-
More wind on the way to B.C.'s South Coast as thousands still without power
Another windstorm is headed to B.C.’s South Coast Friday, though Environment Canada says it will be weaker than the bomb cyclone event earlier this week.
-
Young man arrested after 'disturbing' sexual notes left for women, B.C. RCMP say
A young man has been arrested after multiple women reported receiving “disturbing” sexual notes – or in some cases underwear – in the same Burnaby, B.C., neighbourhood over recent months, the RCMP announced Thursday.
-
'Emotional time' for B.C. poultry farmers who have to cull thousands of birds
Mark Siemens is a third-generation egg farmer in B.C.'s Fraser Valley and he recalls his grandfather sharing a story about fighting an unknown disease that raced through the farm decades ago, forcing him to cull the entire flock.
Vancouver Island
-
More wind on the way to B.C.'s South Coast as thousands still without power
Another windstorm is headed to B.C.’s South Coast Friday, though Environment Canada says it will be weaker than the bomb cyclone event earlier this week.
-
Major crime investigators reviewing death of Victoria teen, which coroner reclassified as homicide
Vancouver Island’s major crime unit is investigating the case of a Victoria teenager whose death was initially ruled an accidental overdose, but has since been reclassified by coroners as a homicide.
-
'Emotional time' for B.C. poultry farmers who have to cull thousands of birds
Mark Siemens is a third-generation egg farmer in B.C.'s Fraser Valley and he recalls his grandfather sharing a story about fighting an unknown disease that raced through the farm decades ago, forcing him to cull the entire flock.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game'
A Saskatchewan principal sentenced to six months behind bars for sexual assault has another chance to prove he’s the victim of a middle-school prank that escalated out of control.
-
'What about our spirituality?': Sask. man wants new Lighthouse operator to respect Indigenous culture
A Saskatoon man is concerned about an Alberta non-profit coming into the city to open a new shelter and run the Lighthouse.
-
First woman sworn in as mayor of Saskatoon
After being sworn in Wednesday night alongside a mix of new and returning city councillors, Cynthia Block becomes the first female mayor of Saskatoon.
Regina
-
Accused of sexual assault, Regina chiropractor takes the stand as first defense witness
A Regina chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven different women took the stand Thursday as arguments began in his defense.
-
Contractor fatally injured while on the job at Regina's Evraz plant
Evraz North America says an investigation is underway after a contractor was fatally injured while on the job in Regina on Nov. 19.
-
Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game'
A Saskatchewan principal sentenced to six months behind bars for sexual assault has another chance to prove he’s the victim of a middle-school prank that escalated out of control.
Toronto
-
Trudeau announces funding to feed 160,000 Ontario students
An additional 160,000 students in Ontario will get access to free meals, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at a Brampton, Ont. school Friday.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
-
'Not good for the economy': MPs call on federal government to regulate resale concert tickets
Ticket fraud and sky-high prices for Taylor Swift concerts have some politicians calling for changes to the way tickets are sold in Canada.
Montreal
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
-
Thieves steal $10K worth of meat destined for Montreal-area food baskets
Staff at a non-profit organization on Montreal’s South Shore that helps feed those in need during the holidays was left upset and shaking their heads after hundreds of pounds of meat was stolen.
-
Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson steps down one day after bankruptcy filing in U.S.
The CEO and co-founder of battery maker Northvolt, Peter Carlsson, is stepping down after being at the helm of the company since it was founded in 2016.
Atlantic
-
Youth who pleaded guilty in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald to be sentenced
A teen who pleaded guilty in the death of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year will be sentenced Friday.
-
Councillor in Cape Breton wins election after random draw
Wanda Hennick is the lucky winner of a council seat in northern Cape Breton after her name was picked out of a box Friday morning.
-
Emergency alert issued for missing vulnerable man last seen in Sydney
An emergency alert has been issued in Nova Scotia as Cape Breton Regional Police search for a missing vulnerable man.
Winnipeg
-
Human remains found in Manitoba community
Human remains have been discovered near a home in the RM of Rockwood, Man.
-
Jury deliberations begin in trial of human smuggling, frozen migrant family
Jurors have begun deliberations in the trial of two men accused of human smuggling across the Canada-U.S. border between Manitoba and Minnesota.
-
Sio Silica plans to try again with controversial project in Manitoba
Sio Silica is planning to try again with a controversial mining project in the same spot using the same method that the province rejected less than a year ago, but this time with more community engagement.
Ottawa
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
-
Orleans man calls for changes after service guide dog attacked by another dog
An Orléans man who uses a service guide dog wants to see changes to rules surrounding dog attacks, after his guide dog was attacked by another dog last month.
-
Ottawa Food Bank declares an emergency amid record-breaking usage
The Ottawa Food Bank is calling the record-breaking visits to its food programs "a declaration of emergency," with children and youth and newcomers accounting for more than a quarter of visits last year.
Northern Ontario
-
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
-
Woman stabbed multiple times in Sudbury altercation
A 30-year-old woman is in hospital in Sudbury after she was stabbed multiple times early Friday morning in Chelmsford.
-
Province cancels deal with Canadore College for North Bay addiction treatment centre
After years of delays, the province has pulled the plug on an addiction treatment centre in North Bay. A news release from Canadore College on Thursday confirmed the centre won’t be moving forward.
Barrie
-
Highway 400 closed in Georgian Bay Township after tanker truck rollover
Emergency crews were called to Highway 400 in Georgian Bay Township Friday morning after a tanker truck rollover.
-
Thieves steal wheelchair and memorabilia from local legion: OPP
Provincial police are hoping to identify two suspects accused of breaking into and stealing from a local legion.
-
Busy road in south-end Barrie to undergo major upgrades
Crews installed fencing along a busy stretch of road in the south end of Barrie to protect wildlife in preparation of a major construction project on the way.
Kitchener
-
Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT
Charges were laid after a crash between an LRT train and a Dodge vehicle shut down a busy Kitchener street for more than eight hours on Thursday.
-
FunGuyz says it's closing all 30 of its magic mushroom stores in Ontario
FunGuyz, which calls itself the biggest magic mushroom dispensary in Canada, says it's shutting down all 30 of its Ontario locations.
-
More than 35 arrests made so far in downtown Guelph enhanced enforcement initiative
The Guelph Police Service says more than 35 people have been arrested as part of an ongoing public safety initiative in downtown Guelph.
London
-
Transport truck crash causes Highway 401 lane closure
Significant delays are being reported in the area and tow trucks are on scene to help. No injuries have been reported.
-
One person dead after two-vehicle crash involving delivery truck
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Highway 10 around 9 a.m. for reports of a crash between a van and a delivery truck.
-
Budget Day 1: Council holds the line on 7.4% tax rate increase but funds shelter beds and more park maintenance
The first day of 2025 Budget deliberations at city hall saw a pair of high-priced programs supported by council – but only after finding ways to keep the cost off property tax bills.
Windsor
-
Ont. law firm seeks information on convicted Catholic priest amid active abuse lawsuit
An Ontario law firm is seeking information about the movements and activities of a Catholic priest who was convicted of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy before he died.
-
Police look to identify theft suspects
The Windsor Police Service is looking to identify two suspects involved in a theft.
-
Willistead Manor annual holiday tours return
Windsor residents and visitors can get into the holiday spirit at Willistead Manor.
