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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.
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.
National Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Claims Process Concluded in City of Leduc Workplace Harassment Class Action Lawsuit
Article content CALGARY, Alberta — Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP (BD&P) announced today that the claims process for the class action lawsuit against The City of Leduc has now concluded. The class action sought damages for women who worked at the City of Leduc between 2002 and 2023 and who had suffered sexual assault, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Article content Article content 155 women who had worked at the City of Leduc came forward and had their claims approved. The total payout to these women was $9,527,500. This remains one of the highest per person payouts in Canadian legal history for workplace sexual misconduct. Article content On July 4, 2023, the Court of King's Bench approved a settlement to provide compensation to these women. At a hearing on January 31, 2025, the Plaintiffs asked the Court's permission to disclose the total number of claimants and the amounts paid out, the City of Leduc asked the Court not to allow the release of these numbers. On March 31, 2025, the Court dismissed the City of Leduc's request and allowed these numbers to be publicly disclosed. Over the past 18 months, the parties have also participated in a restorative engagement process to allow women who suffered sexual assault, sexual harassment, and discrimination at the City of Leduc to communicate their experiences to the city's leadership. Article content On January 24, 2024, the Mayor of Leduc apologized to the women who worked at the City of Leduc. Article content Former Leduc Firefighter and plaintiff Christa Steele said: '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. As we moved forward in the lawsuit we also wanted to ensure that class members would receive compensation they were entitled to as part of the class action. Over the past year, we have worked hard to reach as many women as possible and this has resulted in 155 women making claims and receiving over $9.5 million in settlements. I continue to be amazed at the bravery of all the women that have come forward. We hope these settlements can help with their long process of healing and let them know that they are not alone. Moving forward, we will continue to work and advocate for women to ensure that their voices are heard and to seek transparency and real change. 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 BD&P's lead lawyer in this case, Robert Martz, spoke to these settlements, 'Throughout this class action we have been amazed by the strength of the women that have come forward. This continued throughout the settlement process with so many women telling their story and making a claim. We recognize how hard this was for them and the bravery it took. We hope that through these settlements we have helped provide some small measure of recompense for these women.' Article content The City of Leduc was sued in a class action lawsuit for their inaction against, and role in maintaining, sustained and systemic gender-based harassment and discrimination. Instances of gender-based harassment, discrimination, assault and sexual assault within the Leduc Fire Department was ongoing for approximately 20 years. Victims have suffered serious mental health and physical harm, PTSD, out-of-pocket expenses, violation of their personal dignity, and loss of income. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
