Former senator Don Meredith has been acquitted of sexual assault charges in his recent criminal trial. The conclusion of this case marks the end of a longstanding Senate scandal that damaged the institution’s reputation and highlighted the challenges in removing a problematic member. Meredith, who resigned from the Senate in 2017 amid allegations of a sexual relationship with a teenager, faced multiple counts of sexual assault and criminal harassment related to his interactions with a former employee.
During the trial, the former employee, who worked for Meredith in 2013-14, testified that he engaged in inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching, kissing, and abuse of power. The employee recounted instances where Meredith used pet names, hugged, kissed her, touched her inappropriately, and exposed himself. She also mentioned incidents where Meredith made inappropriate requests, such as asking her to undress during a virtual call and wear revealing attire. The employee did not report these actions initially due to concerns about her future job prospects.
The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Senate ethics officer, who referred the case to the Ottawa police after finding evidence of misconduct. Despite the allegations, Meredith denied all claims and his wife supported his defense during the trial. Ultimately, Superior Court Justice Narissa Somji ruled in Meredith’s favor, citing inconsistencies in the employee’s testimony and the accounts of other witnesses. The judge found the employee’s evidence unreliable and determined that Meredith’s testimony was more credible.
Following the verdict, Meredith expressed gratitude for the outcome and stated that the ordeal had been challenging for him and his family. He acknowledged the cloud that had been lifted and pledged to continue serving his community. When asked about the employee, Meredith declined to comment, while the Crown attorneys involved in the case chose not to provide a statement.
In a separate development, an inquiry revealed that Meredith had created a hostile work environment, harassing several Senate employees and a protective service officer. The Senate issued a statement expressing regret for the employees’ experiences and agreed to a compensation settlement. The former senator had previously breached the Senate’s ethics code by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a minor, leading to calls for his expulsion, which he avoided by resigning.
The resolution of this legal matter brings closure to a turbulent chapter for Don Meredith and the Senate, with the court ruling in his favor despite the serious allegations brought against him.
If you require immediate assistance or are in danger, please contact 911. For local support services, you can access crisis lines and resources through the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.