In the news today: Ruling today in hockey players’ sex assault trial

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Ruling today in hockey players’ sex assault trial

An Ontario judge is set to deliver her ruling today in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team, the culmination of a complex case that has fuelled ongoing conversations on consent and sports culture.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ont. hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.

McLeod, who prosecutors allege was the “ringleader” that night, has also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The players, who are now between the ages of 25 and 27, were in London at the time for a gala and golf tournament marking their championship victory.

Court heard the complainant had sex with McLeod, whom she had met at a downtown bar earlier that night, in his hotel room – an encounter that was not part of the trial.

The charges relate to what happened after several other players came into the room, with consent a central issue in the case.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Rescue effort at B.C. mine where three are trapped

Rescue efforts are continuing at a northern B.C. mine where three workers are trapped underground.

Operator Newmont Corp. has said it was working to assemble specialist teams from nearby mine sites to respond to the situation at the Red Chris Mine in a remote area near Dease Lake, B.C.

The three contractors, two from British Columbia and one from Ontario, were trapped Tuesday after two “fall of ground incidents,” in what the company says is the access way to the underground work area.

It says the workers were more than 500 metres beyond the first fall and were asked to relocate to a designated refuge station before a second collapse blocked the access way and restricted communication.

The company says that before communication was cut, the workers confirmed they were in a refuge bay, which has enough food, water and ventilation for an “extended stay.”

Carney to talk major projects with Inuit leaders

Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with Inuit leaders today to discuss his government’s controversial major projects legislation.

The meeting of the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee will be co-hosted by Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in Inuvik, N.W.T.

Obed says Inuit have many questions about Bill C-5 and are hoping the meetings provide clarity on the role they play in a single Canadian economy.

The recently passed One Canadian Economy Act gives Ottawa the power to fast-track projects it deems to be in the national interest by sidestepping environmental protections and other legislation.

Indigenous leaders have accused the federal government of failing to consult with them adequately when the legislation was being drafted and amended, and Carney has promised to hold talks with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders to get input on how projects can proceed.

‘Fragile’: A heavy day for fire-stricken Jasper

Kimberley Stark has a scavenger hunt planned for her three kids on the plot of land in Jasper, Alta., where they used to crawl, play and sleep.

They’ll be searching for pieces of Jasper’s nature, like mushrooms, purple asters, daisies and pine trees. Stark says she wants to bring a light touch to what’s likely to be heavy day in the mountain town, still bearing wounds of last summer’s destructive wildfire.

Thursday marks exactly one year since their home and 357 other structures in Jasper were turned to ash by a runaway fire that travelled about 30 kilometres over two days.

The town commemorated the anniversary Tuesday, a year to the day that 25,000 residents and tourists were forced out of the community. Thursday is scheduled to feature a handful of low-key, private events.

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said this week that many are approaching the milestone with trepidation and, for some, the hardest part is just beginning.

Bail hearing for trio in alleged extremist plot

A bail hearing is scheduled to begin today for three men facing terrorism charges in an alleged anti-government plot to forcibly take over land in the Quebec City region.

The Crown is opposing bail for Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24.

They are among four people arrested in July for allegedly trying to start an anti-government “community” north of Quebec City, and using a private Instagram account to recruit members.

A fourth accused — Matthew Forbes, 33 — is facing weapons charges and was granted bail last week under a lengthy list of conditions that includes wearing a GPS tracking bracelet.

Angers-Audet, Lagacé and Chabot face charges of facilitating a terrorist activity, and other charges related to the illegal storage of firearms, and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025.

The Canadian Press