B. Jackson

In a judge-alone trial on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference involving a child complainant, the court acquitted.

Applying the W.(D.) framework and the reasonable doubt principles in Villaroman, the court accepted the accused's denial and, in any event, found the Crown had not proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court identified concerns about reliability, including added trial particulars, possible coaching, motive connected to parallel family litigation, and the complainant's use of language the court found likely externally supplied.

The court also relied on the surrounding family conflict and the broader evidentiary context in concluding that reasonable doubt remained on all counts.

Two groups of defendants brought summary judgment motions arising from a dispute over festival food and alcohol catering and alleged municipal interference.

The court applied the summary judgment framework and found the evidentiary record sufficient to resolve the matter without a trial.

It held the plaintiffs failed to establish an enforceable long-term oral contract or any viable negligence or negligent misrepresentation claim against the festival defendants, and further held there was no basis for personal liability against the individual directors.

The claims against the mayor and municipality were also dismissed as statute-barred under the Limitations Act, 2002 and, in any event, unsupported by evidence of bad faith or negligence under the Municipal Act, 2001.