Q
Ontario Training Schools Class Action Settlement
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is the lawsuit about?
- Who is a member of this class action?
- What if I do not like the proposed Settlement?
- What if I do not want to be in the lawsuit?
- How much money could I get if the Court approves the Settlement Agreement?
- Do I have a lawyer in this lawsuit?
- How do I get more information?
What is this lawsuit about?
The lawsuit alleges that Ontario was negligent and breached its fiduciary duty in respect of its operation of the Training Schools. Ontario denies these allegations. The Court did not decide who was right. The Parties have instead decided to settle the lawsuit.
A proposed settlement agreement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Ontario on behalf of former residents of certain Training Schools. If approved by the court, the settlement agreement will provide compensation of up to $100,000 to eligible former Training Schools residents who experienced certain harms, including physical and sexual assault and placement in solitary confinement for certain periods of time.
Who is a member of this class action?
The "Class" or "Class Members" includes all persons who were alive as of December 8, 2015 who resided at any of the following institutions during the time periods set out below (the "Training Schools"):
- 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 does not include persons who resided at: (1) Grandview Training School, (2) St. Joseph's Training School for Boys, (3), St. John's Training School, (4) Ontario Training School for Girls, Toronto; (5) Central Wardship Planning Unit; (6) Elmcrest School; and (7) Champlain School.
What if I do not like the proposed Settlement?
If you do not like the proposed Settlement, you can tell the court reasons why you think it should not approve the proposed settlement.
If you want to object, you must submit a signed and completed objection form to the Administrator on or before March 31, 2026. You can download a copy of the objection form on the "Documents" tab of this website.
What if I do not want to be in the lawsuit?
After this lawsuit was certified as a class proceeding by the Court on November 30, 2018, Class Members were provided with an opportunity to remove themselves from the lawsuit by "opting out". The deadline to opt out passed on May 13, 2020.
If approved, the proposed Settlement will provide Class Members with another opportunity to opt out of the class action. Information about how to opt out, including a copy of the Opt Out Form, will be provided to Class Members if the proposed Settlement is approved.
If you already opted out, or choose to opt out later if the proposed Settlement is approved, you will not be eligible to make a claim for money from the Settlement. Subject to the defences Ontario may raise, you keep your right to independently sue Ontario as an individual regarding allegations of abuse experienced at any of the Training Schools but cannot rely on the Settlement terms to support your claim.
How much money could I get if the Court approves the Settlement Agreement?
If approved, the proposed Settlement will provide the following types of compensation to Eligible Claimants, to be determined by the Administrator. Eligible Claimants who qualify for Track 2 compensation may only receive the highest level of compensation for which their Claim qualifies.
1 All awards will be subject to pro rata reductions, if necessary.
2 Class members who only attended a Training School prior to September 1, 1963 may only seek compensation under Track 1.
3 "Serious Physical Injury" means physical injury that led to (a) hospitalization; (b) permanent or demonstrated long-term physical injury, impairment or disfigurement; (c) broken bones; or (d) a serious but temporary incapacitation such that bed rest or infirmary care of four or more days' duration was required.
4 "Serious Sexual Assault" means non-consensual oral, vaginal or anal penetration.
Do I have a lawyer in this lawsuit?
The Court has appointed Koskie Minsky LLP from Toronto to represent you and other Class Members as “Class Counsel.” You will not be charged for the services of these lawyers. If you want to be represented by another lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.
You can contact Koskie Minsky LLP at trainingschoolsclassaction@kmlaw.ca or by phone at 1-866-860-9364 (toll free).
How do I get more information?
You can get more information at www.trainingschoolsclassaction.com, by calling toll free at 1-877-239-4879, or writing to: Training Schools Class Action, c/o Epiq Class Action Services Canada, Inc., P.O. Box 507 Stn B, Ottawa ON K1P 5P6, or by email at: info@trainingschoolsclassaction.com.
You can also register to be notified if the proposed Settlement is approved by providing your email address here.
We will contact you from info@trainingschoolsclassaction.com, so please add this address to your contacts to prevent our emails from being blocked. Be sure to check your email regularly for important updates.
Please keep your contact information up to date by contacting the Administrator so you receive our updates.
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