The mayor of Valemount in north-central British Columbia faces charges of sexual assault as per online court records first disclosed by the Rocky Mountain Goat and subsequently shared with CBC News. Owen Torgerson stands accused in connection with an alleged assault that took place in or around Valemount on April 2, as detailed in a recent court filing. The identity of the purported victim is shielded by a court-ordered publication ban, with the charge officially filed earlier this week.
Torgerson was taken into custody in April and subsequently released, with a scheduled court appearance set for October 29. Despite being the sole contender in the municipal election on October 17, where he was elected to serve another term as Valemount’s mayor, B.C.’s Community Charter mandates that any council member facing criminal charges must take a mandatory leave of absence.
In response to the allegations, Torgerson stated to CBC News that he would step away from his mayoral duties during the court proceedings, asserting his innocence and expressing his commitment to defending himself through the legal process. Acknowledging the significance of his public office role and obligations under the Community Charter, Torgerson emphasized the privilege of serving as Valemount’s mayor for the past eight years and appreciated the community’s support.
He affirmed his dedication to the community and expressed hope for a resolution to the matter, with the aspiration of resuming his service to Valemount residents once the issue is resolved. The village, with a population of approximately 1,000 residents, is situated about 80 kilometers west of Jasper, Alberta, in a straight line distance.
