A North Battleford city councillor whose recent election victory was the subject of a recount is now facing criminal charges. Ross MacAngus beat his closest competitor by a mere two votes in the Nov. 13 civic election, prompting a recount in which MacAngus held onto his council seat. Now, he’s facing a charge of sexual assault. According to the RCMP, police received a report of sexual assault against a woman in September 2024. Officers investigated, and after consulting with a Crown prosecutor, MacAngus was charged on Nov. 26. North Battleford mayor Kelli Hawtin and City Manager Randy Patrick acknowledged the charge in a news release on Dec. 10. “Transparency is one of the fundamental core values of the City of North Battleford and City Council, and in support of that value, the City of North Battleford would like to advise the public that Councillor Ross MacAngus has been charged with a criminal offence,” their joint statement said. Under the Cities Act, a member of council is disqualified if convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment of five years or more. City officials say unless or until there is a criminal conviction, they have no basis to remove MacAngus from his elected seat on council.
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