The Calgary Stampede grounds and the Saddledome are seen from the air in Calgary, on Thursday, July 11, 2013. A partial settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against the Calgary Stampede alleging the organization allowed a performance school staffer to sexually abuse young boys.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
CALGARY – A partial settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against the Calgary Stampede alleging the organization allowed a performance school staffer to sexually abuse young boys.
Phillip Heerema received a 10-year prison sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and luring.
Heerema admitted to using his position with The Young Canadians, which performs each year in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, to lure and groom six boys into sexual relationships.
The offences took place between 2005 and 2014, as well as in 1992.
In court, lawyers forthe plaintiffs and the Stampede announced the settlement involving negligence and breach of duty, but it must still be approved by a judge.
The Stampede admitted to full liability and would pay damages that are to be worked out later this summer.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2023.
