Victims of Ralph Rowe
Koskie Minsky LLP has commenced a class action against Ralph Rowe, Scouts Canada and the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Keewatin on behalf of hundreds of Indigenous youth who allege they were sexually abused by Ralph Rowe, who was a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada and a Scout leader.
The claim seeks $110 million in damages for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and vicarious liability from Rowe, Scouts Canada and the Synod of the Diocese of Keewatin.
It is estimated that Rowe has abused as many as 500 Indigenous youth in northern Ontario and Manitoba First Nations communities during the 1970s and 1980s.
The Statement of Claim alleges that during this time, Rowe travelled throughout isolated First Nations communities as a priest of the Anglican Church and a Scout leader. In connection with his roles as a priest and Scout leader, Rowe took young Indigenous boys on camping trips and church outings and hosted children’s activities and sleepovers in various cabins and Mission Houses. It was during these activities that Rowe sexually abused boys in his care.
If you are a victim of sexual abuse committed by Ralph Rowe, please contact 1 888 353 6661 or ralphroweclassaction@kmlaw.ca.
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Latest Developments
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September 13, 2022
The Court hearing to establish a claims process for Class Members has been rescheduled to May 24, 2023. Once a claims process has been established, Class Members will be able to make claims for compensation.
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August 23, 2022
The Court hearing regarding the claims process has been adjourned. We will update this page as soon as a new hearing date for the motion has been set.
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April 13, 2022
The Plaintiff has asked the Court to make an order establishing the process for Class Members who wish to make claims for compensation within this class action. The Court hearing regarding the claims process has been scheduled for September 21, 2022. Once a claims process has been established, Class Members will be able to make claims for compensation.
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May 28, 2021
We are pleased to announce that the Court has granted Judgment against the Defendants. It is important to note that this Judgment only establishes liability (legal responsibility for harm). The amount of damages available to individual survivors still has to be determined by the Court or by settlement. We are working toward that goal as quickly as possible.
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January 17, 2019
The opt-out period has now passed. The litigation timetable is as follows:
Statements of Defence By end of December 2018 Mediation By end of February 2019 Exchange of Documents By end of May 2019 Oral Discoveries By end of August 2019 Plaintiff’s Expert Reports By end of October 2019 Defendants’ Responding Expert Reports By end of January 2020 Plaintiff’s Reply Expert Reports By March 15 2020 Pre-trial May 2020 (or the first mutually available date the Court can provide thereafter) Trial September 2020 (or the first mutually available date the Court can provide thereafter) -
June 11, 2018
This action has been certified as a class proceeding. A copy of the Notice of Certification is available here. If you do not want to participate in this class proceeding and you want to exclude yourself from receiving any money from a settlement or judgement of this case, fill out and submit an opt out form to Koskie Minsky LLP by September 22, 2018.
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December 19, 2017
The timetable for certification is as follows:
Plaintiff’s certification record: September 15, 2017 Defendants’ responding certification record: December 15, 2017 Plaintiff’s reply certification record, if any: January 30, 2018 Cross-examinations to be completed by: March 16, 2018 Plaintiff’s certification factum: April 16, 2018 Defendants’ responding certification facta: May 14, 2018 Plaintiff’s reply certification factum: May 28, 2018 Hearing of the motion: June 26 and 27, 2018 -
May 11, 2017
The Statement of Claim has been issued in this matter. A copy is available here.
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September 13, 2022
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Documents
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FAQS
What is a class action?
A class action is a lawsuit which provides a method for a large group of people with common claims to join together to advance one large claim. Class actions are a more efficient and cost-effective way for groups of people with common claims to gain access to the legal system and seek justice.
What does certification mean?
In order for an action to proceed as a class action, the court must determine whether it is appropriate for the case to be treated as a class action. Some of the factors the courts consider are the extent to which the claims of the class
members are common, and whether a class action is preferable to other methods (such as individual actions) of advancing the issues. The decision as to whether a class action should be certified takes place at a certification hearing and is decided by a judge. If certified, a representative plaintiff will advance the action on behalf of all of the class members.How do I know if I am a Class Member?
The certification order will always contain a description of who is a class member. We post the certification orders in our actions so that you can review them. You do not need to “sign up” to become involved in a class action. If you are included in the class description, you are automatically a class member who will be affected by the outcome of the class action unless you decide to “opt out”.
Are Class Members notified of the certification of the class proceeding?
Yes. After the claim has been certified, the court will authorize notice to be given to the members of the class.
Can I opt out of a class action and pursue independent legal action?
Yes. When a class action is certified, class members are always given an opportunity to opt out of the action. A deadline is imposed for opting out. If you do not opt out by the given deadline, class members will be bound by the outcome of the class action, whether it is successful or unsuccessful. If you opt out, you will not receive any benefit if the action is successful.
Will there be any cost to class members for legal fees?
Typically, class actions are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means that the class action lawyers will be paid only if the class action is successful at trial or settled. In that case, class counsel fees may be paid by the defendants or out of the settlement or judgment proceeds as approved by the court. In addition, the plaintiff may seek funding assistance from the Class Proceeding Fund which, if funding is granted, may provide funding for disbursements.
I still have questions…
Please feel to contact us by using the contact information on this site.
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Contacts
Phone: 1 888 353 6661
Email: ralphroweclassaction@kmlaw.ca.
