Winnipeg police will not charge Peter Nygard following investigation
The Winnipeg Police Service said they will not be filing any criminal charges against former fashion mogul Peter Nygard following a lengthy investigation into alleged sexual assaults.
In a statement, police chief Danny Smyth said eight cases were submitted to Manitoba Justice for consideration, but following a review by Manitoba Justice, they declined to authorize criminal charges.
Nygard is currently in custody in Toronto on historical sexual assault charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 10. He also faces charges of racketeering and sex trafficking in New York, and has agreed to extradition.
None of the charges in the two cases have been proven in court, and Nygard is presumed innocent.
Smyth said in his statement, specialized investigators worked through 15 separate files, adding some victims did not want to be involved in criminal proceedings.
“Twenty-nine witnesses, which included survivors, were interviewed as part of these investigations,” he wrote. “Over 17 agencies and therapy professionals were contacted as part of the investigations.”
He added approximately 1,600 documents were compiled during the investigations.
“The Winnipeg Police Service Sex Crimes Unit takes a survivor-focused approach when it comes to investigating claims of sexual assault,” Smyth wrote. “We understand the courage required of any survivor of sexual assault to come forward. We acknowledge and respect the decisions made by justice officials, and at times by survivors themselves, not to proceed with criminal proceedings. We continue to support survivors through their journey of healing.”
-With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated J&J cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.