Former University of Winnipeg president sues after abrupt termination

Former University of Winnipeg president Todd Mondor is suing the institution over his termination last year.

The former president of the University of Winnipeg is suing the institution following his abrupt removal from the role in late November.

According to a statement of claim filed last month, Todd Mondor alleges university officials breached his employment agreement, misled him, and failed to act in good faith.

Mondor was recruited to the University of Winnipeg in 2021 after leaving a tenured position at another institution. His term as president and vice-chancellor was set to run until June 30, 2027; however, that never occurred.

The lawsuit states Mondor received a letter terminating his employment without cause on Nov. 24, immediately following the university’s regularly scheduled board meeting. A public notice of his termination was issued the next day.

The filing claims Mondor was escorted off campus by security, had his access to institutional systems revoked, and saw his salary and benefits immediately suspended.

“The plaintiff states that the defendant terminated the employment agreement in a manner that was misleading, callous, humiliating, and in breach of its duty of good faith,” reads the statement of claim, filed Jan. 30.

The lawsuit also alleges that the university misrepresented to Mondor that a presidential review would occur, even though his termination was already planned. In March, he confirmed his intent to seek a renewal, which the was reportedly positively received.

“The plaintiff had no reason to believe the review process would not be proceeding or that his reappointment was unlikely,” the court documents state. “In reliance thereon, the plaintiff refrained from seeking alternative employment.”

According to the filing, the termination came without warning and was so unexpected that an HR professional stopped explaining the termination letter, recognizing that Mondor was unable to process the information at the time.

The lawsuit further claims Mondor was offered an additional severance package, contingent on signing a release, indemnity, and confidentiality agreement — conditions allegedly not stipulated in his employment contract.

While the initial condition was reportedly removed, new requirements were later added, including providing the password to his forfeited phone and resigning from committee positions. Mondor also alleges the severance was not paid within the 30-day period required under his employment agreement.

“The unilateral imposition of conditions, and the delay in payment, has caused the plaintiff to suffer increased stress and anxiety,” the claim states.

The filing also alleges that public statements by the university following his termination created the impression that he was dismissed for misconduct, potentially hindering his ability to secure similar employment at another university.

Mondor’s salary was $332,861 in 2024, according to the university’s latest public compensation disclosure documents.

The filing seeks an undisclosed amount in damages, including punitive and aggravated damages, as well as a declaration from the university that it breached the employment agreement.

A spokesperson for the university declined to comment as the case is before the courts. CTV News has reached out to Mondor’s lawyer for comment and is awaiting a response.

The University of Winnipeg has not yet filed a statement of defence, and none of the claims have been tested in court.

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