MP stands by call to freeze Stampede funding following abuse admission
CTV
Federal Member of Parliament George Chahal says no level of government should financially support the Calgary Stampede until there is "responsibility, accountability and justice" for victims of sexual abuse dating back decades.
Federal Member of Parliament George Chahal says no level of government should financially support the Calgary Stampede until there is "responsibility, accountability and justice" for victims of sexual abuse dating back decades.
"The Stampede needs to be transparent of also what happened over two decades and on the impact on those 70 victims," Chahal said Tuesday.
His call to halt funding came after the Stampede admitted fault in a class-action suit brought by victims of convicted abuser Philip Heerema.
A court found Heerema used his position with the Young Canadians to coerce underage boys into sexual relationships with him.
Heerema is currently serving a 10-year sentence.
In an apology statement released last week, the Stampede said it acted immediately after learning of the police investigation into Heerema in 2014.
"The Calgary Stampede has implemented many measures over the past nine years to ensure the safety and wellness of our youth participants and to guard against anything similar ever happening again," read a statement sent on Tuesday.
