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:

1. Pine Ridge School, Bowmanville (formerly The Ontario Training School for Boys) between  January 1, 1953 and its closure in 1979;
2. Cold Springs Forestry Camp between January 1, 1963 and its closure in 1976;
3. Hillcrest School, Guelph (formerly known as Ontario Training School for Boys, Guelph) between January 1, 1953 and its closure in 1978;
4. Brookside School, Coburg (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Galt, and Ontario Training School for Boys, Northumberland and Ontario Training School for Boys, Coburg) between January 1, 1953 and April 2, 1984;
5. Trelawney House, Port Bolster (formerly known as Ontario Training School for Girls, Port Bolster Trelawney  House) between August 1959 and its closure in 1973;
6. Kawartha Lakes School, Lindsay (formerly Ontario Training School for Girls, Lindsay) between 1962 and its closure in 1979;
7. Glendale School, Simcoe (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Simcoe) between 1962 and July 30, 1974;
8. 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;
9. Sprucedale School, Hagersville (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Hagersville (Senior School) between 1966 and April 2, 1984;
10. Cecil Facer School, Sudbury between 1971 and April 2, 1984;
11. Project DARE – Portage Lake between June 1971 and 1976;
12. Project DARE – Wendigo Lake, South River (formerly Project DARE Wendigo Lake) between 1972 and April 2, 1984;
13. 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.

An Amended Statement of Claim reflecting the claims now being advanced will be posted shortly.

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.