$30 million settlement reached in B.C. class-action sex assault suit against two Catholic schools
The class-action lawsuit was against Vancouver College and St. Thomas More Collegiate by former students who alleged they were abused.
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A $30 million settlement has been reached following a class-action lawsuit against two Vancouver Catholic schools over claims of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
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The settlement was reached without a trial with three of the defendants and is subject to the approval of the court, according to a notice of settlement approval hearing. Vancouver College and St. Thomas More Collegiate also posted about the settlement on their websites Friday.
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The Supreme Court of B.C. approved a class-action lawsuit three years ago against the two colleges by former students who alleged they were abused by several members of the Christian Brothers — a worldwide Catholic religious community. The members had been transferred there between 1976 and 1983 from a Newfoundland orphanage, where rampant sexual and physical abuse occurred.
According to a 2023 ruling released by Justice Simon Coval, the class action was the best way to handle numerous related cases. Four former and current Christian Brothers — Edward English, Joseph Burke, Douglas Kenny and Gerard Gabriel McHugh — and three Catholic authorities were named in the action.
The claim alleges that senior Christian Brothers orchestrated the transfers, despite knowing what had occurred at Mount Cashel in Newfoundland, and that the transferees and other Christian Brothers went on to abuse students at Vancouver College and St. Thomas More.
“We hope this resolution represents an important step forward,” Vancouver College said in a statement on its website Friday.
“Vancouver College remains committed to a trauma-informed reconciliation process, and we believe in truth and restorative justice. We understand and support the importance of ensuring that victims of any abuse have their experiences heard to facilitate healing and understanding.”
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Four of the six Christian Brothers who were transferred to Metro Vancouver from Mount Cashel were later convicted for crimes at the orphanage.
McHugh — who is still a Christian Brother — was provincial superior for Canada from 1972 to 1978 and director of St. Thomas More and Vancouver College during those times. He is alleged to have known of an agreement between the Newfoundland government, police and the orphanage to transfer six Christian Brothers out of the province in exchange for a limited investigation into allegations made by orphans after being taken to hospital for physical injuries.
The agreement was uncovered in the late 1980s — following a call to a radio show — and led to a Royal Commission and criminal charges against Christian Brothers working at Mount Cashel. It led to a string of convictions.
One Vancouver College student from 1980 to 1985 alleged sexual abuse by English over the course of two years, while another states that between 1976 and 1977 they were assaulted with a strap and piece of wood by Christian Brothers and also asked to pose for photos shirtless. Another Vancouver College student said they were sexually assaulted by Burke from 1985 to 1987. Similar allegations are made at St. Thomas More.
Notice of the settlement approval hearing is being sent out to alumni of both schools. However, anyone hoping to join the class action is encouraged to reach out directly with updated contact information. At Vancouver College, the contact is president Daryl Weaver at dweaver@vancouvercollege.ca. Former students of St. Thomas More can email communications@stmc.bc.ca.
With files from David Carrigg and Joseph Ruttle
