A regulation agency representing ladies who sued an Alberta municipality over claims of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination says over $9.5 million has been paid out to 155 ladies whose claims had been authorized in a settlement.
Two feminine firefighters with the Leduc hearth division, south of Edmonton, launched the class-action lawsuit in 2022 claiming they had been topic to bodily and sexual assault, harassment and bullying whereas on the job.
In a information launch late Monday, the regulation agency of Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP claims the settlement is “one of many highest per individual payouts in Canadian authorized historical past for office sexual misconduct.”
The category motion sought damages for girls who had labored on the Metropolis of Leduc between 2002 and 2023, and the Courtroom of King’s Bench authorized a settlement to supply compensation to the ladies in 2023.
In January 2024, Leduc’s mayor apologized to the ladies who labored on the Metropolis of Leduc.
In an announcement on its web site, the municipality says the settlement has supplied the means to maneuver ahead with what it calls “essential change initiatives,” which it says embrace psychological well being and security initiatives, obligatory coaching and office investigation coaching.
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“We acknowledge the profound affect that this matter has had. We’ve realized from this expertise and are persevering with to maneuver ahead in a means that honours our dedication to a respectful and secure surroundings for all. This stays central to every little thing we do,” the town’s assertion says.
It additionally notes Leduc residents won’t shoulder the price of the settlement, explaining that authorized and claims prices are lined by insurance coverage and the cost “could have no impact on future property taxes.”
“Once I began this journey, my aim was easy: to deliver the reality to mild. As a result of the reality, above all else, is what brings validation. It’s what offers individuals peace,” former Leduc firefighter and plaintiff Christa Steele mentioned within the regulation agency’s information launch.
“I’m grateful that we set a precedent and made historical past. We left a mark and I’m pleased with what we completed collectively.”
The regulation agency says the claims course of for the class-action lawsuit has now concluded.
Its assertion says the plaintiffs requested the courtroom’s permission in January to reveal the full variety of claimants and the quantities paid out, but it surely says the Metropolis of Leduc opposed the transfer. On the finish of March, it says the courtroom dismissed the town’s request and allowed the numbers to be made public.
It additionally notes that over the previous 18 months, the events have participated in a course of that enables the ladies who had been affected to speak about their experiences with the town’s management.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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