Winnipeg councillor Russ Wyatt facing new sex assault charge

Police say Winnipeg councillor Russ Wyatt is facing a new sex assault charge, separate from those that led to his arrest earlier this year.

The Winnipeg Police Service says it’s in connection with an alleged sex assault from October 2023.

Winnipeg police — whose sex crimes unit began investigating on April 25 of this year — allege the victim is a man Wyatt met through social media in July 2023.

Authorities say they then met in person multiple times. “During one of the occasions, they met at a residence in the southwest area of the city. While at the residence, the survivor was provided an illicit drug and was sexually assaulted,” according to a WPS release.

Wyatt was arrested Monday and charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm. He was released on an undertaking.

CityNews reached out to Wyatt’s office and legal council for comment by phone and email but did not immediately hear back.

Mayor Scott Gillingham called the new charges deeply concerning and is urging Wyatt to step away from his duties immediately while the matters are dealt with.

Previous sex assault charges

The new allegations are on top of existing charges against Wyatt, alleged offences for which the 56-year-old councillor was arrested March 24.

The previous alleged offences resemble the new ones. Police say in December 2025, Wyatt met a man on social media, met him in person at a home in the eastern part of the city, and allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted him.

Wyatt was charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing with intent to aggrieve or annoy.

READ: Winnipeg’s Transcona residents call for Councillor Wyatt’s resignation after sexual assault charge

Winnipeg police are now saying that investigation led them to searching a home in the eastern part of the city on April 2, where, with the assistance of the tactical support unit, they seized approximately seven grams of psilocybin.

Wyatt is now facing an additional charge of possession of a scheduled substance.

None of the allegations against him — from all sets of charges — have been tested in court.

Following the first set of criminal charges, Gillingham recommended Wyatt take a leave of absence. The councillor has not stepped away from the job, nor has he announced whether he will seek re-election in Winnipeg’s October election.

CityNews reached out to Wyatt’s office and legal counsel last week to ask whether he will run again but did not hear back.

Under the city’s charter, councillors are only removed from office for criminal offences after a conviction. Mayor Gillingham says he believes the province should look into reviewing that legislation.

Winnipeg city council voted to remove Wyatt from seven committees and boards on April 30.

Wyatt was previously arrested in 2018 and charged with sexual assault; the charge was later stayed in court. Wyatt entered a rehab program for substance abuse that year before returning to council four months later.

–With files from Mitchell Ringos