The Collège de Montréal is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that a former staff member, Marc-André Gingras, committed multiple sexual assaults against a student between 1994 and 1997. The legal action, filed on behalf of a victim identified as T.R., seeks compensation for pecuniary, non-pecuniary, and punitive damages from the institution, which has operated as a distinct legal entity since 1966.
Allegations of Abuse and Institutional Failure
According to the request for authorization of the class action, the abuse occurred while T.R. was a student at the secondary school. The court document alleges that T.R. was subjected to persistent bullying by fellow students and certain teachers. Marc-André Gingras, a lay member of the staff, reportedly offered the student refuge in his office to gain his trust but failed to intervene to stop the harassment.
The filing claims that Gingras subsequently used his position of trust to isolate the student, allegedly committing sexual assaults one to five times per week throughout the school year. T.R. reports that he learned of Gingras’s departure in 1997 while in the staff member’s office, where Gingras claimed he had received a letter from the school thanking him. The student never had contact with the individual again.
Did You Know?
The Collège de Montréal, the oldest secondary educational institution in Montreal, was originally founded in 1767 by the Compagnie des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Outcomes
The law firm Dufresne Wee is leading the case, which argues that the institution failed in its duty to provide a secure environment for students. While the legal team believes the accused individual is deceased, they have not yet confirmed this. The lawsuit aims to provide a path to justice for other potential victims who may have suffered similar experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the defendant in this action?
The lawsuit targets the legal entity that has operated the Collège de Montréal since its incorporation in 1966.
What is the basis of the claim against the school?
The filing alleges that the school failed in its duty to provide a safe environment for students, specifically citing that a staff member was allowed to isolate a student and commit repeated assaults.
What kind of compensation is being sought?
The proposed class action seeks pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages, as well as punitive and exemplary damages, with specific amounts to be determined by the court.
How will the potential discovery of the accused’s death impact the progress of this legal action?