Former students from two Catholic high schools in Metro Vancouver who suffered abuse at the hands of members of the Christian Brothers have reached a proposed $30 million settlement in their class-action lawsuit. The claim covers abuse that happened over several decades and involves Vancouver College, St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vancouver.
The lawsuit dates back to 2021 when Darren Liptrot, a former Vancouver College student, accused Christian Brother Edward English of abusing him in the early 1980s. The class action includes anyone who went to Vancouver College between 1976 and 2013 or St. Thomas More from 1976 to 1989 and experienced abuse by a Christian Brother. Those fitting these criteria who didn’t opt out by November 28, 2024, are part of the class.
Court documents reveal that some Christian Brothers, including English, were moved from the Mount Cashel Orphanage in Newfoundland, where abuse was reported in the 1970s, to these Vancouver-area schools. Several of these brothers were later convicted for abuse at Mount Cashel. The Christian Brothers order itself is not a defendant in this case since it declared bankruptcy in 2011.
The settlement agreement needs approval from the B.C. Supreme Court before any payments can be made. A hearing is scheduled for April 30 and May 1. If approved, eligible survivors will have two ways to claim compensation. The first allows for up to $30,000 for those with less severe or shorter-term impacts without needing detailed proof. The second is for those with serious effects and requires more documentation, witnesses, and possibly an interview. Lack of records won’t automatically disqualify claims, acknowledging that many claims stem from events decades ago.
This agreement will protect the schools and the archbishop from further civil claims related to abuse by those who receive compensation. However, some individual defendants linked to the Christian Brothers, including English, are not part of this deal. Legal action might still continue against them.
Both schools have spoken out in favor of the settlement as a positive step. Vancouver College said it is committed to healing and condemning all forms of abuse, especially against children. St. Thomas More described the settlement as meaningful progress and pledged ongoing support for survivors.
This is an important move in acknowledging past wrongs and offering survivors a chance for some measure of justice and closure. The final approval from the courts will be the next critical step in this process.