A member of Parliament is urging the federal government to suspend funding for the Calgary Stampede.
George Chahal, a Liberal member representing Calgary Skyview, believes that the Stampede has lost the trust of the public.
In a recent class-action lawsuit, it was alleged that the organization allowed a staff member from a performance school to sexually abuse young boys. A partial settlement was reached this week in the case.
The perpetrator, Phillip Heerema, who used to work for the Stampede’s Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for luring six boys into sexual relationships.
The lawsuit involves dozens of plaintiffs who were either students, employees, contractors, or volunteers at the performance school.
The Stampede issued an apology and expressed its commitment to taking responsibility and supporting the healing process of the victims.
Chahal insists that government funding should only be reinstated when the victims feel there has been genuine accountability.
In a letter posted on social media, he stated, “The Calgary Stampede must acknowledge that they have lost the trust of many Calgarians. It is not about improving their image or preserving their reputation; it is about ensuring justice, safety, and a commitment to prevent such heinous acts from occurring within their organization ever again.”
The Stampede has mentioned that it has implemented measures to enhance the safety and well-being of its young participants. “Our priority is to prevent anything similar from happening in the future,” the organization stated in a press release.
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