Afternoon front page: Mistrial declared in Stronach sex assault conviction; Nenshi criticized over apology for photo with Israeli diplomat
- A judge overturned a guilty verdict in a sexual assault case after the complainant’s lawyer tried to negotiate a financial settlement outside court, revealing information that contradicted the woman’s sworn testimony.
- Iddo Moed defended his friendship with Alberta NDP leader Nenshi amid controversy, responding that “friendship should never be controversial,” following Nenshi’s apology for any harm caused.
- Ontario Premier Doug Ford accused U.S. critics and opposition politicians of politicizing the wildfire crisis, urging them to send help instead of complaints and highlighting that aid was provided reciprocally.
- Public outrage grew after Omar Abdul Singateh, out on bail despite past guilty pleas for serious crimes, was arrested in connection with a Toronto shooting, sparking criticism of bail and sentencing policies favoring criminals’ rights.
It’s Friday, July 17. Here are the top stories we’re following today.
The judge voided her guilty finding in the sexual assault case because the complainant’s lawyer attempted to extract money outside of litigation through Stronach’s lawyer, but in doing so shared information that contradicted the woman’s testimony under oath.
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“Friendship should never be controversial,” Iddo Moed responded, hours after Alberta NDP leader Nenshi expressed regret for posing with Moed, saying that he’s “so sorry for the harm it caused.”
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“Maybe what you should do instead of complaining is send help, because we have done the exact same thing for our American friends,” Ford said, referring to the U.S. critics at a news conference. He also accused U.S. and Ontario opposition politicians of “politicizing” the wildfire crisis.
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Omar Abdul Singateh was arrested in connection with a recent Toronto shooting while out on bail after pleading guilty to charges including armed robbery and assault and causing bodily harm. The public is outraged by what it views as “the government’s catch-and-release bail and sentencing provisions that prioritized the rights of criminals,” Ivison says.
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“Could it be that the push to criminalize denialism is an attempt to stop legitimate discussion about the presence of unmarked graves at the Kamloops former residential school?” Higgins asks. “If so, then a denialism law isn’t so much to protect the truth as it is to stifle debate.”
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