Latest news with #ChristaSteele
Ottawa Citizen
06-05-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Alberta city pays over $9.5M to 155 women in class-action lawsuit
LEDUC, Alta. — A law firm representing women who sued an Alberta municipality over claims of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination says over $9.5 million has been paid out to 155 women whose claims were approved in a settlement. Article content Article content Two female firefighters with the Leduc fire department, south of Edmonton, launched the class-action lawsuit in 2022 claiming they were subject to physical and sexual assault, harassment and bullying while on the job. Article content Article content In a news release late Monday, the law firm of Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP claims the settlement is 'one of the highest per person payouts in Canadian legal history for workplace sexual misconduct.' Article content Article content The class action sought damages for women who had worked at the City of Leduc between 2002 and 2023, and the Court of King's Bench approved a settlement to provide compensation to the women in 2023. Article content In January 2024, Leduc's mayor apologized to the women who worked at the City of Leduc. Article content In a statement on its website, the municipality says the settlement has provided the means to move forward with what it calls 'critical change initiatives,' which it says include psychological health and safety initiatives, mandatory training and workplace investigation training. Article content 'We acknowledge the profound impact that this matter has had. We have learned from this experience and are continuing to move forward in a way that honours our commitment to a respectful and safe environment for all. This remains central to everything we do,' the city's statement says. Article content Article content It also notes Leduc residents will not shoulder the cost of the settlement, explaining that legal and claims costs are covered by insurance and the payment 'will have no effect on future property taxes.' Article content Article content 'When I started this journey, my goal was simple: to bring the truth to light. Because the truth, above all else, is what brings validation. It's what gives people peace,' former Leduc firefighter and plaintiff Christa Steele said in the law firm's news release. Article content 'I am grateful that we set a precedent and made history. We left a mark and I am proud of what we accomplished together.' Article content Its statement says the plaintiffs asked the court's permission in January to disclose the total number of claimants and the amounts paid out, but it says the City of Leduc opposed the move. At the end of March, it says the court dismissed the city's request and allowed the numbers to be made public. Article content It also notes that over the past 18 months, the parties have participated in a process that allows the women who were affected to talk about their experiences with the city's leadership.
Vancouver Sun
06-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Alberta city pays over $9.5M to 155 women in class-action lawsuit
LEDUC, Alta. — A law firm representing women who sued an Alberta municipality over claims of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination says over $9.5 million has been paid out to 155 women whose claims were approved in a settlement. Two female firefighters with the Leduc fire department, south of Edmonton, launched the class-action lawsuit in 2022 claiming they were subject to physical and sexual assault, harassment and bullying while on the job. In a news release late Monday, the law firm of Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP claims the settlement is 'one of the highest per person payouts in Canadian legal history for workplace sexual misconduct.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The class action sought damages for women who had worked at the City of Leduc between 2002 and 2023, and the Court of King's Bench approved a settlement to provide compensation to the women in 2023. In January 2024, Leduc's mayor apologized to the women who worked at the City of Leduc. In a statement on its website, the municipality says the settlement has provided the means to move forward with what it calls 'critical change initiatives,' which it says include psychological health and safety initiatives, mandatory training and workplace investigation training. 'We acknowledge the profound impact that this matter has had. We have learned from this experience and are continuing to move forward in a way that honours our commitment to a respectful and safe environment for all. This remains central to everything we do,' the city's statement says. It also notes Leduc residents will not shoulder the cost of the settlement, explaining that legal and claims costs are covered by insurance and the payment 'will have no effect on future property taxes.' 'When I started this journey, my goal was simple: to bring the truth to light. Because the truth, above all else, is what brings validation. It's what gives people peace,' former Leduc firefighter and plaintiff Christa Steele said in the law firm's news release. 'I am grateful that we set a precedent and made history. We left a mark and I am proud of what we accomplished together.' The law firm says the claims process for the class-action lawsuit has now concluded. Its statement says the plaintiffs asked the court's permission in January to disclose the total number of claimants and the amounts paid out, but it says the City of Leduc opposed the move. At the end of March, it says the court dismissed the city's request and allowed the numbers to be made public. It also notes that over the past 18 months, the parties have participated in a process that allows the women who were affected to talk about their experiences with the city's leadership. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Global News
06-05-2025
- Global News
Leduc pays over $9.5 million to 155 women in class-action lawsuit settlement
A law firm representing women who sued an Alberta municipality over claims of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination says over $9.5 million has been paid out to 155 women whose claims were approved in a settlement. Two female firefighters with the Leduc fire department, south of Edmonton, launched the class-action lawsuit in 2022 claiming they were subject to physical and sexual assault, harassment and bullying while on the job. In a news release late Monday, the law firm of Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP claims the settlement is 'one of the highest per person payouts in Canadian legal history for workplace sexual misconduct.' The class action sought damages for women who had worked at the City of Leduc between 2002 and 2023, and the Court of King's Bench approved a settlement to provide compensation to the women in 2023. In January 2024, Leduc's mayor apologized to the women who worked at the City of Leduc. Story continues below advertisement In a statement on its website, the municipality says the settlement has provided the means to move forward with what it calls 'critical change initiatives,' which it says include psychological health and safety initiatives, mandatory training and workplace investigation training. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We acknowledge the profound impact that this matter has had. We have learned from this experience and are continuing to move forward in a way that honours our commitment to a respectful and safe environment for all. This remains central to everything we do,' the city's statement says. It also notes Leduc residents will not shoulder the cost of the settlement, explaining that legal and claims costs are covered by insurance and the payment 'will have no effect on future property taxes.' 'When I started this journey, my goal was simple: to bring the truth to light. Because the truth, above all else, is what brings validation. It's what gives people peace,' former Leduc firefighter and plaintiff Christa Steele said in the law firm's news release. Story continues below advertisement 'I am grateful that we set a precedent and made history. We left a mark and I am proud of what we accomplished together.' The law firm says the claims process for the class-action lawsuit has now concluded. Its statement says the plaintiffs asked the court's permission in January to disclose the total number of claimants and the amounts paid out, but it says the City of Leduc opposed the move. At the end of March, it says the court dismissed the city's request and allowed the numbers to be made public. It also notes that over the past 18 months, the parties have participated in a process that allows the women who were affected to talk about their experiences with the city's leadership.
CBC
06-05-2025
- CBC
City of Leduc pays out $9.5M for workplace sexual misconduct class-action lawsuit
Social Sharing The City of Leduc paid out $9,527,500 in settlements to 155 women in a class-action lawsuit over workplace sexual misconduct. Those behind the lawsuit say it's a precedent-setting settlement — that raises the benchmark for recourse for women who experience sexual assault. It is believed to be the first settlement of a class-action lawsuit involving sexual misconduct and sexual assault at a municipality or fire department in Canada — and involves record-high compensation. A statement from Rob Martz of Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer, the Calgary law firm representing the women in the case, said the city asked the court to disallow the release of the numbers in January. But the court dismissed that request this week. "Part of the point of class actions is to address the entirety of what has occurred. So I think it's important, in that context, for these numbers to be out there," Martz said in an interview with CBC News. Plaintiffs received between $10,000 and $285,000 based on an assessment of the harm they'd suffered. Martz said the plaintiffs had a strong case, allowing for higher individual settlements than those seen for similar cases. "It's important to keep driving those settlements higher — they're still too low. And hopefully, this case keeps moving things forward in that direction," Martz said. Christa Steele and Mindy Smith filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging systemic negligence and breaches of their Charter rights at Leduc Fire Services. They later amended the claim to add other city employees. Steele said she knew what happened to her wasn't an isolated experience, but couldn't have predicted how many would come forward. "It's heartbreaking, but it wasn't really a surprise. Knowing the city that I worked in for 20 years, I knew it wasn't just me." She said having the numbers of the case public was an important step for accountability and ensuring steps are taken to make workplaces safer for women. "It takes a lot of courage to do this and it is validating to have that part publicized," she said. "It educates the public that yes, this is happening. This isn't just two women, it's 155 women — which is significant." In a statement, the City of Leduc said while the details of the lawsuit may be unsettling, the settlement will spur change. It has adopted a number of new programs and policies it said will prevent similar situations from happening in the future. "We acknowledge the profound impact that this matter has had. We have learned from this experience and are continuing to move forward in a way that honours our commitment to a respectful and safe environment for all."
Winnipeg Free Press
06-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta city pays over $9.5 million to 155 women in class-action lawsuit settlement
LEDUC – A law firm representing women who sued an Alberta municipality over claims of sexual assault, harassment and discrimination says over $9.5 million has been paid out to 155 women whose claims were approved in a settlement. Two female firefighters with the Leduc fire department, south of Edmonton, launched the class-action lawsuit in 2022 claiming they were subject to physical and sexual assault, harassment and bullying while on the job. In a news release late Monday, the law firm of Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP claims the settlement is 'one of the highest per person payouts in Canadian legal history for workplace sexual misconduct.' The class action sought damages for women who had worked at the City of Leduc between 2002 and 2023, and the Court of King's Bench approved a settlement to provide compensation to the women in 2023. In January 2024, Leduc's mayor apologized to the women who worked at the City of Leduc. In a statement on its website, the municipality says the settlement has provided the means to move forward with what it calls 'critical change initiatives,' which it says include psychological health and safety initiatives, mandatory training and workplace investigation training. 'We acknowledge the profound impact that this matter has had. We have learned from this experience and are continuing to move forward in a way that honours our commitment to a respectful and safe environment for all. This remains central to everything we do,' the city's statement says. It also notes Leduc residents will not shoulder the cost of the settlement, explaining that legal and claims costs are covered by insurance and the payment 'will have no effect on future property taxes.' 'When I started this journey, my goal was simple: to bring the truth to light. Because the truth, above all else, is what brings validation. It's what gives people peace,' former Leduc firefighter and plaintiff Christa Steele said in the law firm's news release. 'I am grateful that we set a precedent and made history. We left a mark and I am proud of what we accomplished together.' The law firm says the claims process for the class-action lawsuit has now concluded. Its statement says the plaintiffs asked the court's permission in January to disclose the total number of claimants and the amounts paid out, but it says the City of Leduc opposed the move. At the end of March, it says the court dismissed the city's request and allowed the numbers to be made public. It also notes that over the past 18 months, the parties have participated in a process that allows the women who were affected to talk about their experiences with the city's leadership. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2025.
