Warning: This story contains graphic details and allegations of sexual assault
The complainant in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team has completed her testimony.
In a London, Ont., courtroom on Wednesday morning, Crown Attorney Meaghan Cunningham completed her re-examination of the woman, known as E.M., on topics raised during cross-examination by the defence.
Cunningham asked E.M., whose identity is protected by a publication ban, about her understanding of whether the players would be identified in a $3.55 million lawsuit she filed against Hockey Canada in April 2022.
“My understanding was that they wouldn’t be identified at all and that was the reason for going with the John Doe names,” E.M. testified.
“Does the statement of claim say anything about which of these specific acts each John Doe did?” Cunningham asked.
“No...it doesn’t say who did what,” E.M. testified.
“Does the statement of claim say that eight different people touched you in a sexual manner?” Cunningham asked.
“No, it doesn’t say that,” E.M. testified.
E.M., who is now 27, also testified that in 2022 when she provided Hockey Canada with the names of the eight players connected to her alleged sexual assault, she was under the impression that information wouldn’t be made public. (Carter Hart’s lawyer, Megan Savard, previously referred to E.M.’s statement as a “public document.”)
“I thought it was going to just Hockey Canada,” E.M. testified.
Earlier in the day, Cunningham asked E.M. about her boyfriend, after she was cross-examined by Michael McLeod’s lawyer, David Humphrey.
During his questioning, Humphrey suggested a “new character” needed to be introduced to the story - confirming with E.M. that she had a boyfriend at the time of the alleged incidents.
E.M. told the court during that questioning that she and her boyfriend had been together for about three months with E.M. calling the relationship “new” and “in the early stages” at the time of the alleged assault.
Cunningham asked E.M. on Wednesday morning, when did she disclose to police that she had a boyfriend, and E.M. said it was during her initial police interview in 2018.
“That was something I said from the start,” said E.M.
Defence lawyers finished cross-examining the woman Tuesday, and the Crown now has the opportunity to follow up on any topics raised in that process.
This is E.M.’s ninth day on the stand.
McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.
The charges stem from an alleged encounter that took place in a London, Ont., hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911.
A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found on the website for the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres.
Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found here.
National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419
24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010
Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: +1 844 750 1648
Read about your rights as a victim here.