Ex-Young Canadians employee Philip Heerema's trial begins on 20 charges of child sex abuse over 2 decades
The trial will take four weeks during which police officers, complainants and former employees will testify
The man accused of using his position with a Calgary performance school to abuse teens involved in its programs pleaded not guilty to to each of the 20 charges as his trial began Monday morning.
Philip Heerema's charges include sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and luring against eight complainants, all of whom were teenagers at the time of the alleged offences.
Heerema, 55, was employed with The Young Canadians, who perform at the Calgary Stampede every year.
One charge dates to 1992. The others span a nine year period, from 2005 to 2014. All of the charges involve alleged victims who were students at the performing arts school at the time.
Not guilty plea
Defence lawyer Allan Fay spoke for his client when he replied "not guilty" to each of the 20 charges as Heerema was arraigned.
The Crown alleges Heerema used his position with the school "to commit sexual offences against the seven young people who were all at one time students of the performing arts school," said prosecutor Martha O'Connor in her opening statement.
In January 2014, a police investigation was launched after a student and his parents reported an inappropriate relationship. After the first complaint, others came forward.
Heerema left the organization at the beginning of the investigation.
Police seized Heerema's electronics
O'Connor said Court of Queen's Bench Justice Larry Ackerl will hear four weeks of evidence. Witnesses will include the complainants as well as police officers involved in the investigation who interviewed Heerema and seized electronic devices from the home and workplace of the accused.
At the end of the trial, O'Connor said, she plans to make an application to have the evidence of complainants treated as similar fact evidence, meaning she will ask the judge to infer a "pattern of behaviour by the accused."
The Young Canadians work with students, training them in dance, vocals and performance. Every July, the group performs at the grandstand show during the Calgary Stampede.
Heerema is currently on bail.
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