Young Canadians singer exchanged nude pics with official, court hears
Former Young Canadians official Philip Heerema persuaded a young performer with the group to send him naked photos, an ex-singer testified Tuesday.
The now 20-year-old said he exchanged text messages with Heerema late Dec. 31, 2013, and into the early hours of New Year’s Day.
He said he and Heerema had been communicating over the Christmas break after talking in person at the Young Canadians’ holiday party.
“It became uncomfortable when he was making suggestions that we share pictures … over Messenger,” he told Crown prosecutor Martha O’Connor.
Heerema said “our Facebook chat could be a place where we share stories, memories and pictures,” the former performer said.
“He just continued to be very complimentary of me … comments that were more sexual in nature, like sending him pictures of me in my underwear or out of the shower.”
He said he relented while ringing in the new year.
Heerema, 55, faces 20 sex-related charges involving eight males who performed with the Young Canadians while he worked for the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show group.
He faces three charges involving the male who testified Tuesday, of making and accessing child pornography, and internet luring.
The witness said he initially sent Heerema a photograph showing his mid-section to thigh area while wearing underwear.
“He asked me to send pictures without underwear on so he could see what was underneath, and that’s what I did,” he told court.
He said Heerema sent photographs to him, as well.
“The pictures were the exact same nature of the ones I sent.
“When I sent a picture, he sent me a picture back of the same thing.”
The witness said Heerema also discussed an upcoming trip to the U.S. the troupe was planning.
“He suggested that during the Disney tour in California that I could come to his room and pose in person,” he said.
He said he felt uncomfortable returning to the Young Canadians school after the Christmas break.
“I was very scared and nervous about the situation, because I didn’t know how to handle it.”
A week after training resumed, Heerema sat him down in one of the studios, held his hands and talked to him.
“He said that he was … worried that he’d have police knocking on his door,” the witness told Justice Larry Ackerl.
“He said he hoped everything was OK, and I said, ‘Oh, yeah, everything’s fine.’”
Heerema then told him he valued him as a friend.
“He hoped that we can continue our conversation, our chats, on Facebook and our exchange of pictures, and that he’d like to continue having a close friendship with me and that we don’t necessarily have to go (have intercourse) in the corner or the studio all the time, but we could have fun and explore our feelings.”
He later told his brother about Heerema being weird on Facebook and was persuaded to tell their parents.
Defence lawyer Allan Fay will cross-examine the witness today.