What we know about Chris Scott, the Ontario MPP accused of spousal assault Artwork

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Closer Look - Insightful, credible, unfiltered conversations that matter

What we know about Chris Scott, the Ontario MPP accused of spousal assault

September 23, 2025 • Village Media Inc.

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Catch and release? Chris Scott now knows the process firsthand.

The rookie MPP for Sault Ste. Marie was arrested Sunday night for alleged spousal abuse and released on bail the following day.

He is charged with one count of assault and one count of assault with a weapon — the weapon being “a high chair,” according to court documents. (None of the allegations have been tested in court and Scott is presumed innocent until proven guilty).

The 35-year-old was promptly booted from Doug Ford’s PC caucus and is now an Independent MPP (at least for the time being). Although the NDP is demanding his resignation, Scott has yet to answer questions about the criminal case or his future as a politician.

Should he step down? Can fellow MPPs force him to resign? And what do we know about Chris Scott, a one-time senior Ford staffer handpicked by the Premier to run in February’s provincial election?

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look are two Village Media journalists who covered the breaking story: Jessica Smith Cross, editor-in-chief at The Trillium, and Kenneth Armstrong, a reporter at SooToday.

You can watch the full episode in the above YouTube video.

Earlier this year, Scott sat down with SooToday for a one-on-one interview during the provincial election race.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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