Benjamin Levin.
A man who once held the post of deputy education minister in Ontario and Manitoba pleaded guilty to three child pornography-related charges Tuesday, as graphic details of his online activities were detailed in a Toronto court.
Benjamin Levin entered a guilty plea for making written child pornography, counselling a person to commit a sexual assault, and possession of child pornography.
The 63-year-old, who was a university professor at the time of his arrest, was originally charged with seven child-pornography-related offences.
In a written statement distributed by his lawyer, Mr. Levin said he apologized "unreservedly."
"I am deeply ashamed of these actions and highly aware that they have caused a great deal of hurt," he said. "I am appalled every day that my behaviour fell so far below my own standards and previous actions."
Mr. Levin was arrested in July 2013 when a search warrant was executed at his home. Police found numerous child pornography files on a digital device.
Police at the time asked any victims of Mr. Levin to come forward, but, court heard "to date no one has done so."
Lawyer Clayton Ruby said in a statement Mr. Levin believes children need to be protected from exploitation of all kinds and pointed out that his client was not charged with "any actual sexual contact with any person nor with taking any sexual pictures or videos of anyone underage."
Mr. Ruby also noted that Mr. Levin had "no role" in determining the content of Ontario's recently updated sex education curriculum – a suggestion which has been made by at least one Conservative MP.