Former Young Canadians staffer Philip Heerema pleads guilty mid-trial to 8 teen sex abuse charges
Meghan Grant | CBC News | Posted: January 30, 2018 7:58 PM | Last Updated: January 30, 2018
Heerema would touch his victims sexually during 'checkups' and took nude photos
Former Young Canadians staffer Philip Heerema has pleaded guilty to eight sex abuse charges, admitting to victimizing teen boys who once considered him a friend, father figure and mentor.
The convictions include the offences of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and luring.
The 55-year-old admitted to using his position with the performance group to turn his friendships with the senior male singers and dancers into sexual relationships.
The pleas came mid-trial and involved six victims. One offence dates back to 1992, the others span a nine-year period, from 2005 to 2014.
Heerema secretly video-taped naked teen
An agreed statement of facts read aloud Tuesday detail Heerema's crimes.
In two cases, Heerema insist on "checkups" with the boys at the Young Canadians Studio, during which he would touch their private areas.
"[One victim] knew the checkups were inappropriate but didn't say anything because he was scared that if he told, he wouldn't get into the program the next year."
According to the statement of facts, Heerema paid one of the teens $20 to $50 for "checkups."
Another victim was told by Heerema to masturbate in the shower as part of a "workout plan" designed by the TYC staffer to help with the student's fitness and body image.
Heerema then secretly videotaped it.
Victims felt remorse, guilt
One victim became entangled in a physical sexual relationship with Heerema that he felt unable to escape.
The two had oral sex, and participated in mutual masturbation. Heerema even showered the boy's parents with gifts.
"When [the victim] attempted to distance himself from Heerema, Heerema made him feel guilty and remorseful and [the victim] felt ostracized within TYC senior male singer group."
"[The victim] did not know how to end the sexual contact between them."
The child pornography charges relate to nude photos sent by the teens at Heerema's request or photos taken of the boys by the offender on his cellphone.
Sentencing hearing in May
The Young Canadians performance group is made up of high-school students who perform in the Calgary Stampede grandstand show every year. Heerema was with the group for 36 years, beginning when he was a teenage performer and later as an employee.
The Calgary Stampede has said Heerema passed a background check before starting with the Young Canadians.A psychiatric report will be prepared before a sentencing hearing, which has been set for May.
Defence lawyer Allan Fay and prosecutor Martha O'Connor have indicated to Court of Queen's Bench Justice Larry Ackerl they will make a joint submission on sentence.
Heerema is allowed to remain on bail pending the sentencing hearing.