SaskExpress director charged with sexual assault of person under 16

SaskExpress musical director and Regina musician Jeffrey Craig Salkeld is charged with sexual assault after police investigated an incident that allegedly happened last summer.

Salkeld, 64, was arrested and charged last month with sexual interference and sexual assault of a person under the age of 16. According to Regina police, the charges relate to an incident where a young person was allegedly touched inappropriately in July 2025.

Salkeld’s arrest and the subsequent charges prompted SaskExpress to cancel the rest of its December performances of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and issue a statement on its website saying they were aware of “off-duty allegations involving an employee of our organization that caused us significant concern.”

That concern prompted the board of directors to remove Salkeld from the workplace “pending that investigation.” His name was also removed from the group's website.

Representatives from SaskExpress did not respond to CBC’s requests for an interview, but Carol Gay Bell, the organization’s now-retired founder, confirmed that Salkeld was a SaskExpress employee.

Bell founded SaskExpress as a touring performance group in 1980.

It has evolved to include musical theatre schools in Regina and Saskatoon where performers aged three to 19 are taught singing, acting and dancing, according to information on the SaskExpress website.

Salkeld has also appeared in productions at Regina’s Globe Theatre and, according to the theatre’s Facebook page, has performed for Queen Elizabeth, King Charles and several other members of the royal family.

Salkeld is not in custody. His case was adjourned on Monday to return to Regina provincial court on Feb. 2.