THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A CLAIM IS OCTOBER 22, 2024.
A Settlement Agreement has been approved in a class action against Grenville Christian College, a since-closed private boarding school in Maitland, Ontario.
The Settlement Agreement can be found here.
The action relates to allegations of practices which amounted to child abuse, including creating an environment of control, intimidation, and humiliation, which inflicted enduring harm on its students. The purpose of this Settlement is to provide closure and support for healing for Class Members. The financial compensation is intended to serve as an acknowledgement of the harms endured, through a confidential and document-based process.
Who does the settlement affect?
The settlement provides for an all-inclusive Settlement Fund of $10,875,000 CAD to be distributed in accordance with two categories of compensation available for eligible Class Members. These two categories divide Class Members as follows:
Group A – Common Experience Claim (“CEP”)
- All Class Members attended and boarded at GCC between September 1973 and July 1997 (“Class Period”) and were subjected to controlling, demeaning, intimidating and humiliating acts, along with excessive physical and/or psychological punishment.
- Payments under this category will be determined on duration of attendance and boarding, according to the following chart:
| Less than 1 School Year* | $1,500 CAD |
| 1 School Year | $3,000 CAD |
| 1-2 School Years | $6,000 CAD |
| 2-4 School Years | $12,000 CAD |
| 4+ School Years | $24,000 CAD |
*A school year is 10 months, between September and June.
Group B – Severe Psychological and/or Physical Harm and/or Sexual Abuse
- Class Members eligible under Group A may be eligible for additional compensation if they can provide evidence of severe psychological or physical injury linked to GCC experiences.
- Payments under this category will be determined by a Points System with Points being allocated based on supporting documentation.
- These payments are capped at $50,000.
What do I have to do and by when?
To receive a cash payment, Class Members must submit a valid Claim Form, through mail or email, by no later than October 22, 2024.
The Claim Form requires Class Members to provide identity information, including details about their time at GCC, if filing under Group A solely. If a Class Member is making a claim under Category B as well, further supporting documentation, including but not limited to, medical records, victim impact statements, and/or sworn Impact Statements.
Class Members can apply for compensation under both categories, if applicable, but payment in either is not guaranteed, and total combined payments will not exceed $74,000.
Can I submit a Claim on behalf of someone else?
If you are submitting the form on behalf of someone else due to death or incapacity, you will use their name and information, but you must explain you authority to make a claim on their behalf and attach a copy of the document showing this authority.
We encourage you to review the important links and documents posted below to learn more about this class action and settlement. Questions regarding the settlement can be directed towards class counsel, the claims administrator, or the Class Action Clinic.
