Sask. Advocate for Children and Youth 'deeply concerned' about allegations facing private Christian school
The Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth says she is deeply concerned about allegations involving the Legacy Christian Academy (LCA) scandal.
In an emailed statement, Lisa Broda says she has been monitoring the various allegations made by former students against teachers at LCA, formerly Christian Centre Academy and has been in touch with the Ministry of Education to access preliminary information before carefully considering the next steps.
“The magnitude of the allegations of abuse that have surfaced over the past few weeks is very troubling and, though these matters will be worked out through the police investigation and court processes, it is critical to ensure that while the investigation is ongoing, children returning to school in the fall are doing so in a safe environment,” Broda said.
“With the upcoming school year approaching, my immediate concern is to ensure that, in the current context, young people are safe and protected in all three independent schools impacted.”
Broda also said that young people have the right to be protected from harm and all school should be a place where children and youth can safely develop and be educated.
“There is a high onus for accountability on institutions, such as schools, that hold significant authority over children and youth for such a substantial portion of their lives.”
Even though the statement of claim will be processed through the justice system, the statement said the Ministry of Education is also expected to exercise due diligence “in its responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and youth receiving services pursuant to The Education Act and its Regulations.”
Last week, the province said LCA, along with two other schools that employ individuals named in the lawsuit, will have a ministry administrator appointed.
“Student safety is of the utmost importance, and we take all allegations and complaints seriously. We have taken action to ensure that all students can feel safe, protected and respected no matter what school they attend,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a news release at the time.
The release from the Children and Youth advocate applauded the move to appoint administrators as a move in the right direction but said it remains to be seen if the changes will do enough.
“My office will be assessing all information provided to me and, again, will methodically consider the next steps in our review,” Broda said.
Former students of LCA have recently come forward alleging that staff routinely paddled students and engaged in "controlling and abusive" behaviour — including a "gay exorcism."
The proposed class action lawsuit alleges sexual abuse also occurred in connection with the school.
Saskatoon Police Service has confirmed an investigation into historical claims involving students has been turned over to Crown prosecutors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.