Justice Maria Carroccia of the Ontario court found the accuser in a sexual assault case against five Canadian hockey players, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote, to be "neither credible nor reliable." The judge stated the government did not prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, dismissing the case against the five members of Canada's 2018 World Junior ice hockey team. The alleged incident occurred on June 19, 2018, in a London, Ontario hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala. The accuser, identified as "EM," alleged that after consensual sex with McLeod, he invited other players to join without her consent while she was intoxicated. The defence argued EM was consenting throughout the night, pointing to consent videos recorded by McLeod.

The trial garnered significant attention due to the high profile of the accused players, Hockey Canada's admission of secret funds used to settle sexual assault claims, and the ensuing debate surrounding consent in Canadian law. The judge's ruling emphasized that the court's role was to determine legal proof, not moral judgment. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the courthouse expressing their belief in the accuser.

Impact Statement: The ruling has significant implications for the ongoing discussion surrounding sexual assault, consent, and the handling of such cases within the Canadian justice system and sports institutions.