A judge has found Toronto Councillor Michael Thompson not guilty of sexually assaulting two women at a Canada Day weekend gathering in Muskoka cottage three years ago.
Ontario Provincial Police had charged the Scarborough Centre councillor in October 2022. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During the trial, one of the complainants alleged she was massaged inappropriately by Thompson while he was applying sunscreen while the second woman claimed he forced himself on her in the middle of the night.
Their identities are protected under a publication ban.
Thompson denied any wrongdoing under cross-examination, telling the court the cottage weekend was not intended as a professional networking event as described by one of the complainants but rather a casual getaway with friends;
While delivering his 40-page verdict Tuesday afternoon, the judge said he had to consider inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony and the level of intoxication of the women at the time.
Thompson spoke outside the courthouse shortly after the verdict was read, saying he was relieved the trial is over.
“I’m really relieved that I’m actually now able to move on with my life. It’s been a very, very difficult period. However, I’ve had an amazing lawyer who has been extremely professional and very helpful in dealing with this particular issue. It was a three year almost nightmare,” said Thompson.
He also took the opportunity to thank his constituents.
“I want to say that my community of Scarborough Center, I want to thank the people who have stood with me, the people who I’ve met with. In fact, just last night, we had a major town hall meeting dealing with particular issues and so on. Over the last 22 years, I have worked hard for the residents there, and I know that people have stood with me.”
Thompson is a long-time Toronto politician who has served on numerous committees and boards. He was the chair of the economic and community development committee, a member of former mayor John Tory’s executive committee, and one of Tory’s ceremonial deputy mayors.
