Class Actions

Home » Settlement of Sexual Assault Class Action against the Late François Lamarre (Hockey Coach)

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:

• Transaction et Quittance (Official French Version)
• Unofficial English translation of the “Transaction et Quittance”
• Notice to Members
• Demande d’approbation de la transaction et des honoraires des avocats de la classe (Official French Version)
• Unofficial English translation of “Demande d’approbation de la transaction et des honoraires des avocats de la classe”
  

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.

Update as of August 8, 2023

The trial has been scheduled in the class action lawsuit 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).

The trial is scheduled to take place from September 2024 to November 2024.
All victims are strongly encouraged to contact our firm to inquire about the case, their rights and the trial. All communications are strictly confidential and free of charge.

August 6, 2021

Kugler Kandestin files 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 to enable access to justice to the 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 Quebec dated May 6, 2021, authorizing the Application for authorization to file a class action.

Numerous victims have communicated with Kugler Kandestin on a confidential basis.  All victims are encouraged to continue to contact Kugler Kandestin in order to learn about the case and of their rights.  All communications will be kept strictly confidential and will be free.

May 17, 2021 (updated as of June 22, 2021)

Kugler Kandestin is thrilled to announce that 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. 

Kugler Kandestin and the victims of sexual assault who have contacted the firm are pleased with this decision. 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.

Many victims have contacted Kugler Kandestin on a confidential basis. All victims are encouraged to contact Kugler Kandestin to inquire about the case and their rights. All communications are strictly confidential and free of charge.

We will continue to update this page as the case progresses. The notices to members regarding the authorization of this class action can be found here: short form notice and long form notice.

September 1, 2020

Kugler Kandestin has 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.

If you were sexually abused by François Lamarre, we encourage you to communicate with one of the lawyers below so that we may inform you of your rights. Your communications with us are free and will be kept strictly confidential.

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