The English Montreal School Board will pay between $3.4 million to $8.725 million to settle a class-action lawsuit involving allegations of sexual abuse by late former principal Phillip (Hart) Baugniet. The lawsuit pertains to former students at Lachine High School, Victoria School, or FACE School who were allegedly sexually abused while Baugniet was the principal or held a teaching, management or supervisory position between 1966 and 1991. Pierre Boivin of Kugler Wechsler, the law firm representing the claimants, said the settlement will compensate people who were minors when they were sexually abused by Baugniet. It will also compensate the estates of eligible victims who died after Aug. 21, 2019. “We are very pleased to have been able to settle this case in a class-action because otherwise the victims would have had to testify in court much later,” Boivin said. “The victims should be proud.” The class-action began nearly four years ago. It was initiated by one victim, identified only as “C”, who is the lead plaintiff. Beaugniet’s criminal trial started in January 2025, but his death in April terminated the proceedings, according to Boivin. According to Boivin, he’s aware of 15 victims, but says there could be more after the claims process is complete. CTV News contacted the EMSB for comment, but the school board said it could not comment. “We found acceptable ground on both sides, but the real heroes are the class members. Without the victims who came forward — which is difficult, it took courage to come to us, often we’re the first ones they tell the stories to after 30 to 50 years — there would be no settlement,” Boivin said. An adjudicator will determine how many claims are eligible. Boivin said if more than 46 claims are deemed eligible, the settlement could be maintained, renegotiated, or cancelled to ensure enough compensation for class members. The settlement still needs to be approval by the Superior Court of Québec. A hearing will be held on Oct. 28 at the Montreal courthouse for to approve the settlement, the claims process and legal fees for the class counsel. Once the settlement is approved, the firm said it will provide more information about how eligible victims can submit a claim and the deadline to do so. Boivin encouraged anyone who believes they were sexually abused by Baugniet to contact the firm to learn about their rights. “The case proved that with courage, even difficult, that justice can be achieved. It’s an accomplishment and the class members are responsible. They are the real heroes.”
