WEST FOOTSCRAY (AUSTRALIA)
CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) [Toronto, Canada]
June 1, 2026
By CBC News
Police say James Andrew Evans was a pastor in Toronto and Ottawa around 2000
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced childhood sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
Ottawa police say they expect to lay charges against a former church leader for alleged historic sexual assaults of minors.
James Andrew Evans, 64, is facing two counts of sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, sexual exploitation and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, police said.
He also faces a single charge of possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Police said Evans, who has been known as Pastor James or Dr. James Evans, was a pastor at the Chinese Christian Church of Ottawa from 2001 to 2005, and at the Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church.
Police did not say when the alleged crimes occurred.
They said there is no statute of limitation for reporting a sexual assault. In this case, anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa police’s sexual assault and child abuse unit.
Ottawa police originally issued a news release Monday morning saying Evans had been charged, but later said the charges are in fact pending.
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.