Hockey Canada Verdict Shakes Nation as Judge Rules on Consent and Credibility
Today marks a significant moment in one of the most closely watched criminal trials in recent Canadian sports history. The Hockey Canada sexual assault case, involving five members of the 2018 World Juniors team—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote—has now seen a major legal decision. Justice Maria Carroccia, presiding over the Ontario Court of Justice in London, Ontario, delivered her verdict, and it's a ruling that is already generating intense debate across the country.
After years of public scrutiny, legal proceedings, and media attention, the court has found that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof. The judge stated clearly: she did not find the testimony of the complainant, known publicly as E.M., to be either credible or reliable . According to Justice Carroccia, the Crown could not establish the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and as a result, all five players have been acquitted.
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The events under scrutiny occurred in a London hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala in 2018. E.M., then 20 years old, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by multiple players after initially going to the room with McLeod. The defence argued, and the court ultimately agreed, that the interactions were consensual. Consent—always a central and complex issue in sexual assault trials—was dissected throughout this case. Although E.M. claimed to feel pressured and later regretted the encounter, video evidence presented during the trial showed her clearly stating she was sober and that everything was consensual.
Justice Carroccia emphasized that these videos showed E.M. speaking coherently and without signs of intoxication. The court also heard that E.M. had difficulty recalling details from that night, even admitting to potentially taking on a “porn star” persona, something the judge interpreted as casting further doubt on the reliability of her account.
The case included gruelling cross-examinations, notably seven days for the complainant alone. Witnesses offered conflicting statements, and evidence like group chat messages and the so-called "consent videos" became central to the defence's case. The judge acknowledged that E.M. might have felt humiliated or uncomfortable, but reiterated that discomfort after the fact does not necessarily equate to criminal behavior under the law.
For many, especially survivors of sexual assault and advocates, this outcome is devastating. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators rallied in support of E.M., visibly emotional as the verdict was announced. For others, particularly families of the accused, there were tears of relief. Players embraced loved ones in the courtroom as the judge declared their names cleared.
This verdict does not just end a trial—it reignites national conversations around consent, sexual misconduct in sports culture, and the trustworthiness of the justice system when dealing with such sensitive allegations. While legally this may close a chapter, morally and socially, the discussions are far from over.
Whether you see this as a vindication or a failure of the system, one thing is clear: this trial will leave a lasting imprint on Hockey Canada, its reputation, and the broader societal understanding of sexual consent and accountability in Canada.
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