Billionaire Frank Stronach’s sex assault trial delayed as defence deals with new info

Frank Stronach, centre, arrives at a Toronto Court on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO -- The Toronto sexual assault trial of Canadian auto parts magnate Frank Stronach was delayed Tuesday as his lawyer requested more time to handle a recent influx of materials related to the case.

Stronach’s trial was set to begin Tuesday morning but his lawyer Leora Shemesh said they could not proceed efficiently without additional time to prepare in light of what she called “voluminous” amounts of new disclosure received in the last few weeks, including several videotaped statements. The defence is also seeking more disclosure, she added.

Shemesh told the court she and her client are “extremely anxious” to start the trial and hope it can still proceed in the time allotted.

Prosecutors did not oppose the request.

Both sides were expected to continue making legal submissions behind closed doors on Tuesday, and Shemesh said other pretrial motions could follow.

The case is expected to return to court Thursday for an update.

Stronach faces 12 charges involving seven complainants for alleged incidents dating back as far as the 1970s.

The 93-year-old billionaire, who has denied all allegations against him, initially chose to be tried by a jury but later switched to a judge alone with the consent of the Crown.

Stronach, the founder of car parts manufacturer Magna International, is also set to stand trial in Newmarket, Ont., later this year. Motions in that case are scheduled to begin next month.

Peel regional police charged Stronach with 18 offences involving 13 complainants in 2024, but the case was split in two later that year.

None of the complainants can be identified under a publication ban.

By Paola Loriggio

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2026.