Assault Charges Dropped Against Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott

The domestic assault case against Northern Ontario MPP Chris Scott has been dropped after two charges against the former Tory were withdrawn by the Crown.

Crown prosecutors told Ontario Court Justice Martin Lambert on Oct. 28 that they were withdrawing the assault and assault with a weapon charges against Scott, who represents Sault Ste. Marie as an independent after being expelled from the Progressive Conservative caucus.

Scott was charged in connection with an alleged incident on Sept. 19, 2025, and was arrested on Sept. 21 by officers from the Toronto Police Service in connection with an investigation by Sault Ste. Marie Police Service detectives.

The charges were linked to allegations of intimate partner violence, according to court filings, which identified a high chair as the purported weapon.

Scott, who has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, said the withdrawal of domestic violence charges against him was based on “evidence, fairness, and due process.”

“These charges were not withdrawn because of a legal technicality, an expired time limit, or because evidence was excluded,” Scott said in an Oct. 28 statement posted on social media. “I did not accept a deal or agree to anything that would compromise my position. I maintained my innocence throughout, and I am grateful that I can finally put this matter behind me.”

Prosecutors said in court that Scott had completed anger management counselling and did not have a past criminal record or any new charges filed over the past year. The Crown said the assault charge against Scott’s wife, stemming from a separate incident, has also been dismissed.

Scott said the charges arose following “the breakdown” of his marriage in the summer of 2025 and difficulties that arose as they navigated “separation and divorce” as well as “ongoing family law proceedings.”

He said his “personal circumstances” do not change the respect he has for the seriousness of allegations involving domestic violence. Such allegations must be taken seriously, and victims of abuse should be heard and supported, he said, adding that claims must be substantiated by credible evidence and those accused must be treated fairly throughout the legal process.

Scott also asked for privacy for his family and emphasized his desire to shield his children from public scrutiny.

“I accept public accountability, and I understand that comes with serving in public office,” he said. “But public accountability does not mean that every intimate detail of a family’s separation, divorce or private circumstances should become public discussion.”

Scott was elected for the first time in February, defeating NDP candidate Lisa Vezeau-Allen by a margin of 118 votes in the snap election. It is considered the closest result in the Sault Ste. Marie riding in the past 120 years.

Scott was chosen by Doug Ford to run for the seat, having previously worked as a special adviser to his chief of staff and in the office of former Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano.

Ford’s office said Scott will not return to the PC caucus after the withdrawal of his charges.

Scott said he continues to be committed to serving his constituents in Sault Ste. Marie.

“I will continue to show up, listen, work with people from all walks of life and advocate for the community l am privileged to represent,” he said. “This experience has tested me personally, but it has not changed my values, my integrity or my sense of responsibility to the people of Sault Ste. Marie.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.