CANMORE – Banff councillor Hugh Pettigrew has had his sexual assault charges withdrawn by the Crown and entered into a common law peace bond.
Pettigrew and the Crown accepted the peace bond in Canmore provincial court Wednesday (Nov. 20) during a brief appearance that lasted a little more than five minutes.
In a written statement, Pettigrew said he was happy with accepting the peace bond and is looking forward to moving on from the legal process.
“Today, I am grateful for a positive outcome regarding the allegations made against me. I have always maintained my innocence in regards to this allegation, and the charge against me is withdrawn,” he said. “I am accepting a peace bond resolution so my family and I can move on. I want to extend my deepest thanks to my family for their unwavering trust in me and to the members of the community who have shown continuous support throughout this process.
“As I move forward, I remain committed to serving our community with integrity and dedication. I will continue to focus on our shared goals and work for the betterment of my community of Banff.”
Pettigrew appeared in court with Calgary defence lawyer Tonii Roulston and when asked by Justice Mark Tyndale if he understood the conditions, Pettigrew responded “yes, I do.”
“This is a chance to walk away with no criminal record arising out of these circumstances,” Tyndale told Pettigrew.
Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno said council defers all comments to those directly involved, but that council takes any “allegation of harassment, violence or abuse by anyone in the workplace or in the community is of the highest concern and is a matter we should all continue to take very seriously.”
“The legal process involving a councillor has concluded and Banff town council respects the determination reached through the judicial system,” she said, adding council is “unified in defending the process where any individual is empowered to speak up in a way that protects their privacy, safety and the appropriate authorities can review claims and make judgment on facts.”
DiManno noted the topic may have a triggering impact on people in the community and resources such as Banff YWCA’s Harmony Project and Alberta Sexual Violence are available.
A peace bond is a court order that provides a person specific guidelines to follow, which if followed, have charges immediately withdrawn or after the time period of the peace bond.
On the federal government’s Department of Justice Canada’s website, it lists a peace bond being “where an individual (the defendant) appears likely to commit a criminal offence, but there are no reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has actually been committed.”
Under the terms of his peace bond, if Pettigrew were to break one of the 11 conditions it could result in a $2,000 recognizance and charges laid.
The peace bond is for a period of 12 months.
As terms of his peace bond, Pettigrew will appear in court when required; notify the court or his probation officer in advance of any change in address or employment; have no contact with the woman who made the allegation and go to any counselling recommended by the probation officer.
A publication ban is in place on any evidence that could identify the complainant.
A statement of facts was briefly read into the record, but Crown attorney Shireen Bangash declined to give them to the Outlook.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Pettigrew has maintained his innocence. In the initial months following the charge, Pettigrew attended Banff council virtually but returned in person for the Aug. 26 meeting.
Pettigrew was charged by Banff RCMP with sexual assault on Jan. 30, after an alleged incident on or about Dec. 23, 2023, in the Banff townsite.
His first court date was March 13 and he ultimately had 14 appearances, with the majority being adjourned by the court to allow for additional time for disclosure.
He entered a not guilty plea on Aug. 28 and a trial had been set for June 10, 2025.
Shortly after Pettigrew was charged, a group of 80 community leaders and residents called for him to temporarily step aside from his role as an elected official until the charges were resolved in the justice system.
The letter was signed by notable community people such as Canadian Senator and former Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen, Connie MacDonald, Stavros Karlos, Julia LoVecchio, Rae-Ann Robert and Ebony Rempel.
“In light of the serious allegations against you, we implore you to demonstrate the highest level of advocacy by stepping aside while the justice system fulfills its due course,” they wrote in the letter sent to Pettigrew on March 19, 2024.
“By voluntarily stepping aside from your day-to-day duties as a councillor, you would enable your colleagues to carry out the council's mandate without undue disruption, allowing the justice system to proceed unimpeded.”
Pettigrew was elected to Banff council in 2021, which followed a mayoral race against incumbent Sorensen in 2017.
Elected municipal officials in Alberta are permitted to sit on council while facing criminal charges.
The high profile case may be triggering for people who have experienced sexual assault, which can leave both physical and emotional scars.
The YWCA Banff’s Harmony Project deals with sexualized violence prevention and response in the Bow Valley. The service is confidential and available seven days a week to anyone in the Bow Valley area.
Contact the YWCA Banff at support@ywcabanff.ca or 403-762-3560. A 24-hour crisis line is available at 403-760-3200.