Suspended Physician David Edward-Ooi Poon Faces 28 New Criminal Charges Including Sexual Offences Against Minors

Escalating Legal Battle for Multi-Province Physician

David Edward-Ooi Poon, a suspended physician who previously held public health and psychotherapy roles across three Canadian provinces, is facing a significant escalation in criminal charges. Authorities in Toronto announced 28 new counts on Tuesday, bringing the total number of criminal charges against the doctor to 71. The new allegations span more than 15 years, tracing back to 2009 when Poon was a medical student at the University of Alberta. The scope of the investigation now covers alleged offences in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, involving at least 13 newly identified victims.

Details of the New Allegations

The updated charge sheet includes a harrowing array of offences. Among the 28 new counts are seven counts of sexual assault, fifteen counts of voyeurism, and two counts related to the possession and access of child sexual abuse material. Most notably, the new charges include three counts of sexual interference involving the alleged sexual touching of three minors under the age of 16 during a single day in September 2024. Furthermore, police have documented a charge of mischief involving the willful interference with a woman’s clothing between 2022 and 2023.

Professional Ramifications and Regulatory Response

Despite the severity of the allegations, medical regulatory bodies in both Ontario and Saskatchewan have stated there is currently no evidence suggesting the crimes were committed within the context of his medical practice. Poon’s work in northern Saskatchewan was largely virtual, focusing on communicable diseases and mental health for Indigenous communities. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan has already suspended his license, with senior counsel Bryan Salte noting that a conviction could lead to a permanent revocation. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has similarly maintained his suspension while declining further comment due to confidentiality.

A Lengthy Legal Process Ahead

The investigation into Poon reportedly began after a tip from Google regarding suspected child sexual abuse material uploaded to a cloud storage account. Legal experts suggest the complexity of the case, given the number of victims and the geographic spread of the allegations, will result in a prolonged court process. David Butt, a former sex-crimes prosecutor, noted that if convicted, Poon could face a ‘dangerous offender’ designation, which carries the possibility of indeterminate custody. Poon remains in custody and is scheduled for a video court appearance in Toronto as the Crown continues to disclose evidence to his defense team.