One month following his expulsion from Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative caucus, Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott was scheduled for a court hearing in his northeastern Ontario constituency on Wednesday morning. However, he did not appear in person, choosing to remain at Queen’s Park instead. Scott, a newcomer to politics, was arrested and charged with assault and assault with a weapon on September 19.
During the hearing, a legal representative, standing in for lawyer Michael Lacy via Zoom, requested an adjournment of Scott’s case until after the counsel pre-trial on November 4. The proceedings are set to reconvene in a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom on November 12.
Now an Independent member, Scott was absent from the Legislative session on Monday but was present in Toronto on Tuesday, separate from Ford and the PC party.
Despite calls from various public figures, such as Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles and Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, urging him to resign, Scott expressed eagerness to resume his duties. He affirmed his confidence in his capabilities and denied the allegations of spousal assault, emphasizing his trust in the legal system and anticipation of his day in court.
Scott mentioned receiving support from several former PC caucus colleagues but clarified that he has had no communication with Ford, attributing it to the latter’s busy schedule. While he has withdrawn from political activities like canvassing and fundraising, Scott assured constituents that his office remains open and hinted at sharing more information once the current issue is resolved.