Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

Indigenous leader Ed John pleads not guilty to historic sex charges

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Jul, 2020 10:29 PM
  • Indigenous leader Ed John pleads not guilty to historic sex charges

An Indigenous leader and former British Columbia cabinet minister has pleaded not guilty to sex charges dating back more than 40 years.

The plea was entered on behalf of Ed John, a former leader of the First Nations Summit, in Prince George provincial court on Wednesday in response to four counts of having sexual intercourse with a female without her consent.

The charges against the 71-year-old relate to incidents alleged to have occurred in the Prince George area between May and September 1974 involving one person.

John's lawyer entered the plea by telephone on behalf of his client, who did not appear in court.

The case is scheduled to return to court on July 16 to fix a date for a preliminary hearing.

John, who is also a hereditary chief of the Tl'azt'en Nation near Fort St. James, completed an eleventh consecutive term as a leader of the First Nations Summit political executive last year but did not run again.

He served in former New Democrat premier Ujjal Dosanjh's cabinet as minister of children and families from November 2000 to June 2001.

John is a graduate of the law school at the University of British Columbia and holds an honorary degree from the University of Northern B.C..

He was appointed as a special adviser on Indigenous children in care in 2015 by former B.C. Liberal premier Christy Clark.

Photo courtesy of Istock 

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey high school graduate is the winner of the TD scholarship for community leadership

Surrey high school graduate is the winner of the TD scholarship for community leadership
KUDOS to Surrey Tamanawis Secondary graduate HarjotBal who is one of the recipients of the prestigious TD Scholarship for Community Leadership, valued at up to $70,000 dollars.

Surrey high school graduate is the winner of the TD scholarship for community leadership

High risk sex offender to reside in Vancouver

High risk sex offender to reside in Vancouver
Vancouver Police are warning the public that a convicted sex offender, Howard Geddes Skelding, will be residing in Vancouver and poses a significant risk to women in the community.

High risk sex offender to reside in Vancouver

Meanwhile in Canada, BC kickstarting PHASE 3 of Re-Opening the Economy

Meanwhile in Canada, BC kickstarting PHASE 3 of Re-Opening the Economy
BC Premier John Horgan Kickstarts Phase 3 of its provincial re-opening plan. Find out what is opening and how travel will work if you are hitting the road with COVID-19.

Meanwhile in Canada, BC kickstarting PHASE 3 of Re-Opening the Economy

Fraser and South Thompson river levels rising: forecast centre

Fraser and South Thompson river levels rising: forecast centre
Flood watches have been posted for the upper Fraser and South Thompson rivers. The B.C. River Forecast Centre says heavy rainfall in parts of the central and eastern Interior over the past week prompted the flood watches.

Fraser and South Thompson river levels rising: forecast centre

Canada almost self-sufficient in PPE as Canadian businesses step up: PM

Canada almost self-sufficient in PPE as Canadian businesses step up: PM
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadian companies are now producing so much personal protective equipment needed in the fight against COVID-19 that Canada is almost at the point of being self-sufficient.

Canada almost self-sufficient in PPE as Canadian businesses step up: PM

A look at COVID-19 travel restrictions in each province and territory

A look at COVID-19 travel restrictions in each province and territory
If you're looking to explore Canada this summer, you'll first have to navigate the fluctuating patchwork of travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus throughout the country.

A look at COVID-19 travel restrictions in each province and territory