Latest news with #CrandallUniversity
Global News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Fired New Brunswick professor files lawsuit against Crandall University in Moncton
A religious studies professor who in 2023 was fired from a faith-based university for alleged sexual harassment has filed a lawsuit against the New Brunswick institution, claiming wrongful dismissal, defamation and privacy breaches. In a statement of claim, John G. Stackhouse alleges Crandall University in Moncton conducted a fundamentally flawed investigation that resulted in the public disclosure of allegations that damaged his reputation and that of his wife, Sarah-Jane Britton — a former student at the school. The investigation, conducted by the law firm Pink Larken, started in April 2023 after the university learned of anonymous social media posts accusing an unnamed school employee of inappropriate behaviour in 2020 and 2021. In a summary of his findings, investigator Joel Michaud alleged that Stackhouse's behaviour in the classroom included making sexist remarks and comments about people's looks. In Michaud's opinion, that behaviour constituted sexual harassment and bordered on abuse of authority. Story continues below advertisement As well, a review of dozens of emails found that Stackhouse engaged in 'inappropriate banter' with an unnamed female student for seven months. The report quotes a response from Stackhouse acknowledging the emails were 'inappropriate, unhealthy and unbecoming of a professor …. It cannot be defended.' The claim goes on to say Michaud's report wrongly alleges that like the other unnamed student, Britton was 'sexually groomed' by the tenured professor while she was a student. Michaud concluded the emails represented 'a classic case of grooming.' 'He was in a position of responsibility as a professor and also as an employer of (the student) and, in the view of the investigator, engaged in behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment,' Michaud's summary says. Stackhouse was placed on paid leave in July 2023. After the investigator presented his findings to the university's board of governors in November 2023, Stackhouse was dismissed. The liberal arts university, founded in 1949 by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, has more than 1,400 students whose education is 'firmly rooted in the Christian faith.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Stackhouse's statement of claim, which includes Britton as a plaintiff, was filed in February 2024. It says the professor 'did not engage in any behaviour that constitutes just cause' for dismissal. As well, the document says he was never subjected to disciplinary action. Story continues below advertisement The claim says Michaud's report wrongly alleges that when Britton was a student at the university, she was 'sexually groomed' by the tenured professor. In an affidavit filed last month with the Court of King's Bench, Stackhouse confirmed that in the fall of 2022, he disclosed to the university that he was in a new relationship with a 'former, mature part-time student,' later identified as Britton. At the time, the professor was in the process of getting a divorce from his first wife. The document says Stackhouse and Britton had not started dating when she was enrolled as a student. And it says rumours about their relationship started circulating at the university in January 2023. 'Some students even complained to the administration, suggesting I was unfit to teach due to my relationship with a younger woman, although Ms. Britton was a divorced businesswoman and mother of four,' the affidavit says. Stackhouse and Britton were married in the summer of 2023. The professor's affidavit says no formal complaints were filed against him under the school's harassment policies. He alleges a faculty colleague was behind the anonymous social media posts that prompted the school's administration to launch a 'media-driven campaign' and investigation 'seemingly designed to appease complainants and protect Crandall University's image.' The affidavit states that shortly after Stackhouse was fired on Nov. 22, 2023, the university posted a statement on its website confirming his termination and sharing a summary of Michaud's findings, which included personal details and confidential information about an employment matter. Story continues below advertisement 'The publication (of the findings) … exposed Dr. Stackhouse and Britton to contempt, ridicule and hatred and was deliberately calculated to lower (their) reputation in the estimation of right-thinking persons.' 'The malicious, high-handed and arrogant conduct of Crandall University warrants an award of punitive or exemplary damages to ensure that Crandall University is appropriately punished for its conduct.' Stackhouse has since been unable to find new work as a professor, author, speaker or consultant, his statement of claim says. 'The conduct of Crandall University was intended to cause harm to Dr. Stackhouse,' the claim says, adding that, as a professor, he was earning $126,860 annually. In a statement of defence, the university alleges Stackhouse acknowledged that he needed to change the way he communicated with students in the classroom. The statement says the professor's demeanour in class created an unwelcoming environment for certain female students. The statement says that in March 2023, the university received complaints about inappropriate comments in the classroom that included comments that were offensive to female students. 'Dr. Stackhouse ought to have known that his antics and sense of humour were unwelcome and unappreciated,' the statement says. The statement of defence, filed on March 1, 2024, provides more details about the unnamed student who Stackhouse is accused of sexually grooming. It alleges the professor sent the student 78 emails, many of which included sexual connotations and described sexual fantasies. Story continues below advertisement As well, the statement says that Michaud's investigation concluded that Crandall, as a Christian university, should be concerned by the fact that one of its professors had started a romantic relationship with someone who had recently been a student and while still legally married to someone else. 'Crandall maintains that it had just and sufficient cause to terminate Dr. Stackhouse's employment, especially given its mission and values as a Christian-based university,' the statement of defence says. As for assertions that Stackhouse and Britton were defamed, the university says it did not post anything on its website that was not true. 'Crandall submits that the post (on the website) made by Crandall was necessary and in the public interest,' the statement says. 'It was important to share certain aspects of the (Michaud) report to ensure students and former students felt that their concerns were heard … and that Crandall was taking action.' None of the allegations in the documents has been tested in court. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Fired New Brunswick professor files lawsuit against Crandall University in Moncton
MONCTON – A religious studies professor who in 2023 was fired from a faith-based university for alleged sexual harassment has filed a lawsuit against the New Brunswick institution, claiming wrongful dismissal, defamation and privacy breaches. In a statement of claim, John G. Stackhouse alleges Crandall University in Moncton conducted a fundamentally flawed investigation that resulted in the public disclosure of allegations that damaged his reputation and that of his wife, Sarah-Jane Britton — a former student at the school. The investigation, conducted by the law firm Pink Larken, started in April 2023 after the university learned of anonymous social media posts accusing an unnamed school employee of inappropriate behaviour in 2020 and 2021. In a summary of his findings, investigator Joel Michaud alleged that Stackhouse's behaviour in the classroom included making sexist remarks and comments about people's looks. In Michaud's opinion, that behaviour constituted sexual harassment and bordered on abuse of authority. As well, a review of dozens of emails found that Stackhouse engaged in 'inappropriate banter' with an unnamed female student for seven months. The report quotes a response from Stackhouse acknowledging the emails were 'inappropriate, unhealthy and unbecoming of a professor …. It cannot be defended.' The claim goes on to say Michaud's report wrongly alleges that like the other unnamed student, Britton was 'sexually groomed' by the tenured professor while she was a student. Michaud concluded the emails represented 'a classic case of grooming.' 'He was in a position of responsibility as a professor and also as an employer of (the student) and, in the view of the investigator, engaged in behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment,' Michaud's summary says. Stackhouse was placed on paid leave in July 2023. After the investigator presented his findings to the university's board of governors in November 2023, Stackhouse was dismissed. The liberal arts university, founded in 1949 by the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada, has more than 1,400 students whose education is 'firmly rooted in the Christian faith.' Stackhouse's statement of claim, which includes Britton as a plaintiff, was filed in February 2024. It says the professor 'did not engage in any behaviour that constitutes just cause' for dismissal. As well, the document says he was never subjected to disciplinary action. The claim says Michaud's report wrongly alleges that when Britton was a student at the university, she was 'sexually groomed' by the tenured professor. In an affidavit filed last month with the Court of King's Bench, Stackhouse confirmed that in the fall of 2022, he disclosed to the university that he was in a new relationship with a 'former, mature part-time student,' later identified as Britton. At the time, the professor was in the process of getting a divorce from his first wife. The document says Stackhouse and Britton had not started dating when she was enrolled as a student. And it says rumours about their relationship started circulating at the university in January 2023. 'Some students even complained to the administration, suggesting I was unfit to teach due to my relationship with a younger woman, although Ms. Britton was a divorced businesswoman and mother of four,' the affidavit says. Stackhouse and Britton were married in the summer of 2023. The professor's affidavit says no formal complaints were filed against him under the school's harassment policies. He alleges a faculty colleague was behind the anonymous social media posts that prompted the school's administration to launch a 'media-driven campaign' and investigation 'seemingly designed to appease complainants and protect Crandall University's image.' The affidavit states that shortly after Stackhouse was fired on Nov. 22, 2023, the university posted a statement on its website confirming his termination and sharing a summary of Michaud's findings, which included personal details and confidential information about an employment matter. 'The publication (of the findings) … exposed Dr. Stackhouse and Britton to contempt, ridicule and hatred and was deliberately calculated to lower (their) reputation in the estimation of right-thinking persons.' 'The malicious, high-handed and arrogant conduct of Crandall University warrants an award of punitive or exemplary damages to ensure that Crandall University is appropriately punished for its conduct.' Stackhouse has since been unable to find new work as a professor, author, speaker or consultant, his statement of claim says. 'The conduct of Crandall University was intended to cause harm to Dr. Stackhouse,' the claim says, adding that, as a professor, he was earning $126,860 annually. In a statement of defence, the university alleges Stackhouse acknowledged that he needed to change the way he communicated with students in the classroom. The statement says the professor's demeanour in class created an unwelcoming environment for certain female students. The statement says that in March 2023, the university received complaints about inappropriate comments in the classroom that included comments that were offensive to female students. 'Dr. Stackhouse ought to have known that his antics and sense of humour were unwelcome and unappreciated,' the statement says. The statement of defence, filed on March 1, 2024, provides more details about the unnamed student who Stackhouse is accused of sexually grooming. It alleges the professor sent the student 78 emails, many of which included sexual connotations and described sexual fantasies. As well, the statement says that Michaud's investigation concluded that Crandall, as a Christian university, should be concerned by the fact that one of its professors had started a romantic relationship with someone who had recently been a student and while still legally married to someone else. 'Crandall maintains that it had just and sufficient cause to terminate Dr. Stackhouse's employment, especially given its mission and values as a Christian-based university,' the statement of defence says. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. As for assertions that Stackhouse and Britton were defamed, the university says it did not post anything on its website that was not true. 'Crandall submits that the post (on the website) made by Crandall was necessary and in the public interest,' the statement says. 'It was important to share certain aspects of the (Michaud) report to ensure students and former students felt that their concerns were heard … and that Crandall was taking action.' None of the allegations in the documents has been tested in court. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2025. — By Michael MacDonald in Halifax
CBC
29-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
It's been one week: N.B. political panel weighs in on federal election campaign
Some New Brunswick political watchers say the first week of the federal election campaign left them wanting to hear much more substance and vision from those vying to form the next government of Canada. That's the synopsis from a panel convened by Information Morning Moncton for regular check-ins during the campaign. Don Moore is a past president of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick, an assistant professor of management at Crandall University and chair of the Codiac Regional Policing Authority. Sarah Lord ran for the Green Party in the last provincial election, has a background in biotech, works in health and wellness, and runs a hiking tour company. Aldéa Landry is a Moncton lawyer, business leader, and former deputy premier of New Brunswick. She co-chaired Mark Carney's federal Liberal leadership campaign in the province. Geoff Martin teaches political science and international relations at Mount Allison University and ran as a candidate for the provincial NDP in Tantramar in 2003. Here's a breakdown of their first discussion, edited for length and clarity. Q: What do you think is the most important issue of the campaign? A: Aldéa Landry. We still have cost of living issues with things like housing and electricity. But with tariffs, we stand to lose 11,000 jobs in the province. And we have a single customer for almost all our exports. That calls for dramatic changes. A: Don Moore. Things like housing and groceries cost way more than they did. How did we get here? What allowed this to happen? How does this get fixed? Combine that with Canada-U.S. relations and its effects locally, provincially and nationally. A: Sarah Lord. For me, it's unity. How do we hold ourselves together as a nation, stop the mudslinging and work together to reach consensus on really serious issues that threaten our existence. A: Geoff Martin. I think it's about the party's platform to deal with the U.S. and provide a vision for the future of Canada that doesn't rely on tax cuts, smaller government, market magic and the old compact theory of French and English. We have a very diverse country and we have to all move along together. Q: What are you hearing from people in your communities? A: Geoff Martin. They're very concerned about the high cost of living, the existential threat we're feeling, the sacrifices they may have to make in the trade war and what things will look like afterwards. The terrain really feels like it's shifting and unstable. A: Sarah Lord. People seem to be upset over the fact that they can't elect a prime minister. They want to vote their values and they want their vote to count. We're often told we have to vote a certain way to get rid of something we don't want, instead of voting for something we really do want. A: Don Moore. People are asking questions, like what is the key to success for dealing with Donald Trump, who is the best leader and what is the best party or government structure. They're getting sick and tired of trying to figure things out because messages from the U.S. are frequently changing. A: Aldéa Landry. People are talking about tariffs and the need to change the way we trade and they're expressing national pride and unity, even in Quebec. I think Canadians are concerned about the disrespect that's been shown to our country and leaders. Q: What's standing out for you in the messaging from party leaders? A: Don Moore. They've mostly been reacting to things that are happening. People want to hear more about their views and plans for our country for the next five years, 10 years, and beyond. A: Geoff Martin. There's no discussion yet about things like public enterprise or the role of government, just standard things that were probably planned back in December or January. I don't think those are appropriate any more. A: Sarah Lord. I like the global perspective of Mark Carney — the fact that he is reaching out to different countries. But I also want to hear more strategies and vision to strengthen the Canadian economy and sustainably move forward with strength and unity. A: Aldéa Landry. Tax cuts are being offered and a vision of less dependence on the United States government. There are opportunities to broaden our reach and to create jobs by building infrastructure, but that will require public support and working with First Nations and provinces.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
New Brunswick swim coach takes on Paralympic leadership role
Many New Brunswickers know the name Danielle Dorris — a three-time Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist. But few know who was on the sidelines coaching Dorris to those big wins. Ryan Allen, head coach of Club de Natation Bleu et Or in Moncton, has been a member of multiple national teams, including Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Now, he's stepping into the role of national coach lead for Swimming Canada's Paralympic program. "It's a testament to the people — the athletes, the parents, the families — that I've had the chance to be surrounded by … through my coaching career," said Allen. Allen grew up in Hopewell Cape, about 35 kilometres south of Moncton, and he and his wife Lindsey have lived in Riverview since 2016, Swimming Canada said in a news release. He has an education degree from Moncton's Crandall University, a kinesiology degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and an advanced coaching diploma and certificate of high performance coaching and technical leadership from the University of British Columbia. He is also working toward his high-performance coaching masters at UBC. Allen was Swimming Canada's Paralympic program coach of the year for 2023. His introduction to para swimming was in Grade 11, he said, when he was asked by his swimming coach if he would work with a young man with Down syndrome, Jonathan Henry. Allen said he owes so much to that experience because it challenged him in a new way. "I learned it my way, as a 16-year-old, and then, well, Jonathan has his way, and I had to kind of figure it out on the fly." During university, he decided to try coaching before moving back home to pursue an education degree and coach at Club de Natation Bleu et Or because of Henry. A year later, Allen said Swimming Canada approached him because Dorris's family was moving to Moncton, and they knew Allen was interested in working with para-athletes. Allen said the job posting for the national coach lead went out just before Christmas, and he mulled over applying with his close circle before deciding to go for it. "I had to at least put myself out there and obviously it was successful," he said. "And this was in a way for me to, you know, pursue a career in sport in some different way that allows me to still stay home, you know, have my family here with me without having to move elsewhere." Allen said his role will be guiding the technical and cultural direction of the national program, while also supporting coaches, athletes and staff across the country. He said the athletes he coaches have been incredibly supportive of his new role, including Danielle Dorris. "Just the other night, I got an email from an 11-year-old on our team, you know ... just a big congratulations on this role," Allen said.
