Skip to content

Ongoing Class Actions

Settlement of Sexual Assault Class Action Against the Late François Lamarre (Hockey Coach)

Update: October 29, 2024 – Settlement of Class Action

We are very pleased to announce the settlement of the class action filed on behalf of all persons who were sexually assaulted by the late François Lamarre while he was a coach of the municipal hockey program in Greenfield Park, until and including December 31, 2001, as well as the estate of any such persons if they passed away after September 1, 2017.

The Defendants will pay a Global Settlement Fund in an amount, ranging from $3.6 million to $10.25 million, based on the number of claims deemed eligible by an adjudicator. If more than 56 claims are deemed eligible, the settlement may be renegotiated or otherwise cancelled, to ensure that the benefits payable to members whose claims are deemed eligible are not unduly reduced.

The settlement, which is subject to the approval of the Superior Court of Québec, will permit eligible members to receive substantial compensation following a completely confidential claims process that excludes the Defendants from any involvement or right of contestation.

The hearing to approve the settlement will be heard on December 3, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., at the Longueuil Courthouse, Room 1.19. At that hearing, class counsel will also ask the Court to approve their Counsel Fees. You do not have to attend the hearing to benefit from the settlement.

You can consult the following documents to learn more about the settlement, and why we are strongly recommending that the Court approve it:

The claims process has not yet started. If the settlement is approved, we will provide additional information regarding how to submit a claim,

If you or someone you know was sexually assaulted by François Lamarre, we encourage you to communicate with us, so that we can inform you of your rights.

Your communications with our firm are free and will be kept strictly confidential.

Pierre Boivin
pboivin@kklex.com
514-360-8881
Emily Painter
epainter@kklex.com
514-360-3462
 
David Stolow
dstolow@kklex.com
514-360-8867
Robert Kugler
rkugler@kklex.com
514-360-8882
 

We will continue to update this page as the case progresses.

Update: August 8, 2024 – Postponement of Trial

The trial in the class action filed on behalf of all persons who were sexually abused by the late François Lamarre while he was a coach of the municipal hockey program in Greenfield Park (as well as the estate of any such persons if they passed away after September 1, 2017) was scheduled to take place from September 2024 to November 2024. It has been postponed due to ongoing discussions between the parties.

All class members are encouraged to contact our attorneys so that we can inform you of your rights.

Your communications with our firm are free, strictly confidential, and are covered by professional secrecy.

The Kugler Kandestin attorneys handling this case are:

Pierre Boivin
pboivin@kklex.com
514-360-8881
Emily Painter
epainter@kklex.com
514-360-3462
 

We will continue to update this page as the case progresses.

Update: August 6, 2021 – Class Action Lawsuit Filed

Kugler Kandestin filed a class action lawsuit claiming compensatory damages for each victim, as well as punitive and exemplary damages in the amount of $10 million.

The class action lawsuit seeks access to justice for persons who were sexually abused by the late François Lamarre while he was the coach of the municipal hockey program in Greenfield Park, as well as the estate of any such persons if they passed away after September 1, 2017.

The class action was filed following a judgment of the Superior Court of Québec dated May 6, 2021, authorizing the Application for authorization to file a class action.

Update: June 22, 2021 – Court Authorizes Class Action

Kugler Kandestin is thrilled to announce that by judgment dated May 6, 2021, the Superior Court of Québec has authorized the filing of a class action against the City of Longueuil and the estate of the late François Lamarre on behalf of all persons who were sexually abused by the late François Lamarre while he was the coach of the municipal hockey program in Greenfield Park, as well as the estate of any such persons if they passed away after September 1, 2017.

The judgment authorizes Kugler Kandestin to file a class action seeking significant compensatory damages for each victim, as well as punitive damages of $10 million.

Update: September 1, 2020 – Application for Authorization

Kugler Kandestin filed an Application for Authorization to Institute a Class Action on behalf of individuals who were sexually abused by the late François Lamarre while he was a hockey coach in and for the City of Greenfield Park (Longueuil).

The Application for Authorization alleges that François Lamarre engaged in reprehensible and unacceptable behaviour by sexually abusing numerous children enrolled in Greenfield Park’s minor hockey program over the course of decades.