Former Young Canadians staffer may have crossed the line

CALGARY A former longtime employee of a performance group that entertains at the Calgary Stampede told police that he felt “like a monster” and might have crossed the line with a number of young performers.

Philip Heerema, 55, is on trial facing 20 charges that include child pornography and sexual assault. The alleged encounters are believed to have occurred between 1992 and 2013 with males between 15 and 18 years old.

Police began investigating in January 2014 after they received a complaint from a student and his parents of an inappropriate relationship with a “person of authority” at The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts.

In an interview with police in June 2015, which was played in court Tuesday, Heerema said he considered the students to be friends, but may have gone too far in discussing sexuality with them.

“I feel like a monster. I feel like a horrible human being. These people who I came to know, came to appreciate in my life, came to me and opened up about questions and concerns ... I felt I could open up ... as well and, as you say, I crossed the line,” Heerema told Det. Paul Ralstin.

“I never felt like I was trying to manipulate them. I felt I was responding to them and again it was going both ways.”

Heerema spent 36 years with The Young Canadians. He started out as a performer and took on a number of jobs that included costuming, props, sets and lighting.

He was business administrator and production services co-ordinator when he resigned after the investigation began in February 2014. He was formally charged 17 months later.

Ralstin sought assurances for the alleged victims in the interview.

“One concern from the guys as well was whether anything got shared with anyone,” Ralstin said.

“I swear on my life nothing was ever shared with anyone,” Heerema replied. “I hope that if there’s anyone else I’ve had any relationship with they don’t consider it assault or abuse. It was never my intent in speaking with them.”