Quebec judge authorizes class action against former EMSB School of Management director over sexual assault allegations

A Quebec Superior Court judge has approved a class action lawsuit against a former Montreal school principal over allegations of sexual assault by former students.

The lawsuit, which seeks $16.2 million in damages, also targets the English Montreal School Board (CSEM). The CSEM was created in 1998 as part of the Quebec reform of 1997-1998.

Former students allege they were sexually assaulted by Phillip Hart Baugniet while he was a principal or teacher between the 1960s and 1990s at three EMSB schools: FACE, Victoria School and Lachine High School.

Last year, a class-action lawsuit was filed by attorneys representing the former students.

Pierre Boivin, the lawyer representing the lead plaintiff in the class action, said his client was relieved.

The alleged victim was “destroyed by the sexual abuse” and her life was “totally affected,” according to Boivin.

His client filed the complaint “not only on his behalf, but also to help other victims, so he's proud of it,” Boivin said, calling the situation stressful. “He should be proud. He knows that we would all go to trial, if necessary, to see justice done.”

The main complainant, referred to only as “C.”, is a man in his forties who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Baugniet while he was a student at FACE.

The class action request mentions that during the 1988-1989 school year, C. was allegedly sexually assaulted during a trip organized by Baugniet to his farm in Cornwall, Ontario.

The trip was part of FACE's school activities.

None of these allegations have been proven in court, but a criminal case is pending.

The complainant was seven years old at the time.

Last October, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said Baugniet, who now lives in British Columbia, was accused of sexually assaulting six students in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in South Township. Stormont, Ontario.

He was charged with numerous offenses under the old Criminal Code in force in 1970, including:

• Seven counts of indecent assault on a man.

• Two counts of sexual assault.

• Three counts of sexual battery.

• Sodomy.

• Sexually assaulting a person under 16 years of age.

The investigation began in May last year after Montreal police contacted the Ontario Provincial Police.

Baugniet was later arrested by Ontario Provincial Police at a police station in Victoria, B.C., and was released after a bail hearing.

A spokesperson for the EMSB School Board said Saturday that the board would not comment on the matter since it is before the courts.

CBC News attempted to contact Baugniet's lawyer for the criminal case but did not receive a response in time for publication.