The acquittal of five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team who were accused of sexual assault continues to reverberate in the southwestern Ontario city where their high-profile trial played out.

Dozens gathered outside the London, Ont., courthouse Thursday evening to show support for the complainant, while rallies earlier in the day saw a mix of supporters for the woman and the players.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote were all acquitted of sexual assault, and McLeod of a separate charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault, in a ruling the defence deemed a “resounding vindication.”

Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia found the complainant’s testimony was not credible or reliable, and that there were “troubling aspects” in how she delivered some of her evidence.

The judge said the complainant tended to blame others for inconsistencies in her narrative and exaggerated her level of intoxication that night.

Carroccia said she found there was “consent not vitiated by fear,” noting the absence of physical force, violence or threats during the 2018 encounter.

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Stephanie Richardson, who participated in the Thursday evening rally, said she was “disappointed and frustrated” after the ruling, but took solace in the solidarity on display at the gathering.

“It’s a very positive tone,” she said.

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Why the judge acquitted all 5 former Hockey Canada players in sex assault trial

Jessica Bonilla-Damptey, director of the Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton and Area), also took part in the event and said the show of support was uplifting.

The ruling came roughly seven years after the incident that led to the charges — an encounter that took place in a hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.

The incident first came to the public’s attention in 2022, after TSN reported that Hockey Canada had quietly settled a lawsuit filed against the sports organization and eight unnamed players for an undisclosed amount.

Court heard the organization moved ahead with the settlement without the players’ knowledge or agreement.

David Humphrey, who represents McLeod, said after Thursday’s ruling that the “one-sided narrative” laid out in the lawsuit unfairly shaped public perception for years and created a lasting and false impression of guilt that harmed his client’s reputation and career.

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Protestors gather as judge gives ruling in World Junior hockey sexual assault trial

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Follow along with Susan Hay and certified cheese master Afrim Pristine, co-owner of Cheese Boutique as he prepares a Rustic Cherry and Ricotta Dip.

Ingredients

• 1 pint cherries, halved and pitted
• 3 tsp honey
• 2 tsp red wine vinegar
• Flaked salt
• Black pepper
• 1 cup ricotta cheese whipped
• A few mint leaves finely chopped
• 1/2 cup Marcona almonds roughly chopped
• Serve with crusty bread

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Instructions

In a mixing bowl, toss cherries, honey, red wine vinegar, flaked salt and pepper and gently incorporate together. Spoon ricotta into a bowl. Top with cherries and the liquid, add crushed Marcona almonds and mint as garnish Lastly, add a pinch of flaked salt. Spread the cherry and ricotta mixture into crusty bread and enjoy!

A troubling spike in water-related deaths has authorities and safety advocates urging boaters and swimmers across Ontario to take life-jacket use and water safety more seriously.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), 10 people have died in marine incidents in eastern Ontario so far this summer — more than double the number recorded by this time last year.

In every case, the victim was not wearing a life jacket.

“This is about education and changing the mindset to ensure everyone wears the proper gear, whether in a power boat or in a canoe,” said Chief Superintendent Lisa Wilhelm, OPP East Region Commander.

“This is about coming home safely and ensuring that everyone, adults and children, are safe on or near the water.”

The warning comes amid a series of devastating incidents that have already taken place in Ontario waters.

At a provincial park in Lake Erie, a 35-year-old man from Woodstock drowned while trying to save his daughter.

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Police recovered his body the next day.

In another tragic incident, an 18-year-old swimmer was pulled from Ipperwash Beach, unresponsive and later pronounced dead in hospital.

Just days later, a 44-year-old man died after diving from a boat into shallow water, the second fatality there in the same week.

While police emphasize the importance of life-jackets, experts say the broader issue is a lack of public awareness and enforcement, particularly when it comes to commercial and recreational boating safety.

Greg Swanson, chief regulator officer of SABA, an education and awareness NGO, told Global News that the statistics are very unfortunate.

“The fact that people are still out on the water without life-jackets… is surprising. It would save a lot of lives if people used them,” he said.

Swanson says SABA’s campaign is focused on promoting safety equipment and sound boating practices including better oversight of commercial charter operations.

“Our big thrust is to stop the illegal charters who seem to express very little care for their passengers… if you fall off their boat, you are on your own,” Swanson emphasized.

He also warned that many vessels, particularly in the unregulated charter sector, are not meeting federal safety standards. “Your boat needs to have specific equipment as set out by Transport Canada,” he said.

“And if you are not a swimmer… you really ought to put that thing on.”

Beyond life-jackets, Swanson stressed that safety also depends on proper training, especially in how to assist others in distress without endangering yourself.

“The practice is you cannot save someone by endangering yourself. If the person you are trying to rescue is capable, then use devices like life rings,” he explained.

For a child or disabled person, there is a tendency to expose yourself to an increased level of danger, Swanson added. “But there are practices to retrieve someone without drowning yourself, and wearing a life-jacket is one of them.”

As the OPP continues to investigate this summer’s fatal incidents, the message from both police and advocates remains urgent and pressing.

“If you are on or near the water this summer, ensure that you and your children are protected. Wear your life jackets,” the statement read.

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