Convicted sex offender Denis Hall has reversed his decision to drop out of the upcoming Saskatoon civic election.
Hall had announced last week he was withdrawing from the race to be a Catholic school board trustee after his past convictions for sexual assault came to light.
READ MORE: Convicted sex offender withdraws candidacy for Saskatoon Catholic school board trustee
He was convicted in 1981 on two charges of having sexual intercourse with girls aged 14 to 16.
Hall was also convicted on two charges of indecent assault against girls who were members of a basketball team he coached in the Regina Church Basketball Association.
He received a pardon in 1994.
In a statement released Monday, Hall confirmed his candidacy for trustee.
FULL COVERAGE: Saskatoon civic election
Hall said he made the decision based on a number of factors, including an outpouring of support he said he has received from the community and the fact that his name remains on the ballot.
He also said another factor is his “deep-seated belief” that the way to a good life is through a good education.
“(I would) do my very best to make sure that every single student has the best education available, and that the professionals working at the classrooms and schools levels have the resources and support they need to make that happen,” Hall said in his statement.
READ MORE: Sex offender Denis Hall a ‘legitimate candidate’ for Saskatoon Catholic trustee
Both the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools have expressed concerns over Hall’s candidacy given his past convictions.
Hall ran unsuccessfully in 2003.
Voters in Saskatoon head to the polls on Oct. 26.
Comments