Ontario Training Schools
Koskie Minsky LLP is advancing a class proceeding, which is now certified, against the Province of Ontario on behalf of all persons who were alive as at December 8, 2015 who resided at any of the Training Schools between January 1, 1953 and April 2, 1984 during the time periods set out for each facility:
- Pine Ridge School, Bowmanville (formerly The Ontario Training School for Boys) between January 1, 1953 and its closure in 1979;
- Cold Springs Forestry Camp between January 1, 1963 and its closure in 1976;
- Hillcrest School, Guelph (formerly known as Ontario Training School for Boys, Guelph) between January 1, 1953 and its closure in 1978;
- Brookside School, Cobourg (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Galt, and Ontario Training School for Boys, Northumberland and Ontario Training School for Boys, Cobourg) between January 1, 1953 and April 2, 1984;
- Trelawney House, Port Bolster (formerly known as Ontario Training School for Girls, Port Bolster Trelawney House) between August 1959 and its closure in 1973;
- Kawartha Lakes School, Lindsay (formerly Ontario Training School for Girls, Lindsay) between 1962 and its closure in 1979;
- Glendale School, Simcoe (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Simcoe) between 1962 and July 30, 1974;
- White Oaks Village, Hagersville (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Hagersville (Junior School) between 1966 and its removal from the regulations under the training schools legislation in 1978;
- Sprucedale School, Hagersville (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Hagersville (Senior School) between 1966 and April 2, 1984;
- Cecil Facer School, Sudbury between 1971 and April 2, 1984;
- Project DARE – Portage Lake between June 1971 and 1976;
- Project DARE – Wendigo Lake, South River (formerly Project DARE Wendigo Lake) between 1972 and April 2, 1984;
- Syl Apps Youth Centre (formerly Ontario Training School for Girls, Galt (Reception and Diagnostic Centre); Reception and Diagnostic Centre, Galt; Reception, Diagnostic Treatment Centre, Galt; and the Reception and Assessment Centre, Oakville) between 1958 and April 2, 1984.
The class action does not cover individuals who were admitted to: (1) Ontario Training School for Girls, Toronto; (2) Central Wardship Planning Unit; (3) Elmcrest School; and (4) Champlain School.
Furthermore it does not cover:
- the time period prior to 1953, or
- any Family Law Act claims.
The Plaintiff alleges that members of the class were physically, sexually and psychologically abused at the Schools. It is alleged that the Province of Ontario breached its fiduciary and common law duties to the class through the establishment, operation, and supervision of the Schools. In particular, it is alleged that the Province of Ontario failed to care for and protect class members, which resulted in loss or injury, including psychological trauma, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
For more information, please contact us at 1 866 860 9364 or email trainingschoolsclassaction@kmlaw.ca
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Latest Developments
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September 6, 2024
The September 2024 mediation dates have been postponed to the spring due to scheduling issues.
In the meantime, Class Counsel is taking all available steps to advance the litigation in a timely manner.
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April 1, 2024
A two-day mediation with the Defendant before a retired judge is scheduled via Zoom in September 2024.
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June 27, 2023
The parties attended three days of mediation on June 20, 21, and 26. The parties plan to schedule a further mediation date to continue settlement discussions.
Please note that Koskie Minsky is not able to comment on the positions taken by the parties at the ongoing mediation, as this information is subject to legal privilege. We will update the class when the next mediation date has been scheduled, and will continue to post all other updates on the case to this page.
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January 6, 2023
A three-day mediation with the Defendant before a retired judge is scheduled via Zoom for late June 2023.
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May 26, 2022
The parties are working to schedule a mediation in March-April 2023.
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September 20, 2021
The parties have completed examinations for discovery.
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July 5, 2021
The parties have received extensive documentary disclosure and oral discoveries are scheduled for September, 2021.
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March 24, 2021
The Court recently ordered that the parties comply with the litigation timetable. A copy of the timetable can be found here.
- October 17, 2019
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December 4, 2018
This action has how been certified as a class proceeding. A copy of the certification order is available here.
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October 12, 2018
The following timetable for the motion for certification is in place:
Plaintiff’s motion record March 16, 2018 Defendant’s motion record June 15, 2018 Plaintiff’s rely motion record July 20, 2018 Cross-examinations to be completed by September 14, 2018 Plaintiff’s factum October 23, 2018 Defendant’s responding factum November 20, 2018 Plaintiff’s reply factum December 4, 2018 Hearing of motion for certification December 11 and 12, 2018 -
August 29, 2018
A copy of the plaintiff’s motion record for certification is available here (volume 1 and volume 2).
A copy of the defendant’s responding motion record is available here.
A copy of the defendant’s supplemental responding motion record is available here.
A copy of the plaintiff’s reply motion record for certification is available here.
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December 11, 2017
The Toronto Star writes an article about the Training Schools class action. A copy of the article is available here.
- December 8, 2017
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December 8, 2017
The Toronto Start writes an article about how Ontario ignored whistleblowers at the Training Schools. A copy of the article is available here.
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September 6, 2024
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News Releases and Reports
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Documents
- May 13, 2021 Second French As Amended Statement of Claim
- March 24, 2021 Litigation Timetable
- October 18, 2019 Opt Out Form
- October 17, 2019 Notice of Certification
- December 4, 2018 Certification Order
- August 29, 2018 Plaintiff’s Motion Record for Certification Volume 2
- August 29, 2018 Plaintiff’s Motion Record for Certification Volume 1
- August 29, 2018 Defendant’s Responding Motion Record
- August 29, 2018 Defendant’s Supplemental Responding Motion Record
- August 29, 2019 Plaintiff’s Reply Motion Record for Certification
- December 19, 2018 Fresh As Amended Statement of Claim
- December 8, 2017 Statement of Claim
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Contacts
Email: trainingschoolsclassaction@kmlaw.ca
Tollfree: 1 866 860 9364
