Ontario police probe sexual abuse allegations against former B.C. councillor's husband

A criminal investigation is now underway into the alleged sexual abuse of a former Village of Lions Bay councillor'sdaughter.

Eileen Wilkeresigned from her role as councillor of the small town south of Squamishthis week after it came to light that she was suing her daughter forspeaking publicly about the alleged sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather.

"The investigators will speak to the complainants, speak to witnesses, gather as much evidence as they can, in order for them to make a determination to what the actual complaint is to see if there's grounds to move forward or not," saidSgt. JoshColleyofPeel Regional Police.

Sgt.Colleysaida criminal investigation was opened Dec. 19 after a report was made to police. Police would not say who made the report.

"Once everything is reviewed and analysed as a whole, that will determine whether there are grounds to lay charges," Colley said in an interview.

Daughter can't find peace

A civil claim states that Wilke's daughter, Sherri AnnThomson, took her mother and stepfather to civil court in 1994, alleging she"suffered years of sexual, physical and psychological abuse."

The two parties reached a settlement twoyears later, the claim states, whenThomson agreed not to discuss the allegations with anyone except for a few people, namelyfamily members and close friends who were also not friends of the Wilkes.

Wilke, who was elected to council in a November 2016 by-election, claims that her daughtersent letters about the alleged abuse to various people in the community around that time.

Wilkeresigned from her role ascouncillorof Lions Bay this week after it came to light that she was suing her daughterfor violating the terms of a settlement.

Thomson said the news that her mother has now given in to public pressure and stepped down from her role ascouncillordoesn'tgive her much peace.

"It didn't sound like remorse," she said. "It didn't do anything for my soul, she did it for process."

The Lions Bay mayor says a by-election will be held to fill Wilke's seat on council.