Proposed Settlement Reached in Grenville Christian College Class Action

LONDON, ON, Sept. 1, 2023 /CNW/ -- A Settlement has been reached in the Grenville Christian College ("GCC") class action lawsuit between the Plaintiffs and the now defunct school's insurers. 

The Settlement must be Court approved before it is implemented and before Class Members can participate in it. The hearing date for Court approval is November 16, 2023. Class Members can review the Settlement and provide their comments to Settlement Class Counsel: McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP, by October 31, 2023 for the Court's consideration at that hearing. 

The class action alleged that GCC was negligent and its staff failed to fulfill and/or were grossly negligent in fulfilling their fundamental obligations to its former boarding students between September 1973 and July 1997, and that this could cause those students harm, and that the Defendants are liable for those harms. 

These allegations were confirmed by both the Ontario Superior Court (in February 2020) and Ontario Court of Appeal (in April 2021). The Courts held that GCC had created an environment of control, intimidation and humiliation that fostered and inflicted enduring harms on its students.

Sabrina Lombardi, of McKenzie Lake Lawyers explains: "The proposed Settlement intends to address the harms endured by the former boarding students of GCC and provide them some closure and support for healing. The financial compensation also serves a symbolic function by acknowledging those harms and validating Class Members experiences".

If the Settlement is approved, then all Class Members will have an opportunity to make claim for payment. Class Members that want to participate in the settlement do not need to take any steps at this time.  Another Notice will be issued if the Settlement is approved, and it will include all of the details on how to make a claim in the Settlement.

Anyone that attended and boarded at GCC between September 1973 and July 1997 (excluding children or grandchildren of Charles Farnsworth and/or Alastair Haig and excluding those that previously opted-out of the lawsuit) is encouraged to visit: www.GCCSettlement.ca or call 1-877-786-0546 for more information about the proposed Settlement.

For further information: Sabrina Lombardi, McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP, 140 Fullarton Street, Suite 1800, London, ON N6A 5P2, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].

SOURCE McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP