Ralph Rowe sexual abuse class action settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Canadian priest Ralph Rowe sexually abused children of remote First Nations in northwestern Ontario. 

The settlement class is composed of all individuals Rowe sexually abused between 1975 and 1987 within the geographic boundaries of the Diocese of Keewatin and have not previously settled or otherwise released claims against the Synod of the Diocese of Keewatin and Scouts Canada. Parents of individuals who were sexually abused also are eligible.

Plaintiff Alvin McKay asserted that Rowe’s former employers were guilty of “alleged negligence, vicarious liability, and breach of fiduciary duty in respect of the sexual assaults” Rowe committed. The Synod of the Diocese of Keewatin and Scouts Canada are vicariously liable for the physical, mental and sexual abuse Rowe perpetrated.

The synod is an assembly of the clergy, or court, within the Anglican Diocese of Keewatin, a parish in one of Canada’s central territories. The diocese was closed as a legal entity in 2015.

Scouts Canada is the country’s leading co-ed youth organization, offering programming for children and youth age 5 to 26.

Eligible class members can receive a varying amount of financial compensation depending on the severity of each case. 

Each class member could be up to $350,000, depending on the circumstances of the abuse, the extent of the harm they suffered, the process the class member chooses and the number of people who make a claim. 

Compensation in Schedule A ranges from $30,000 to $140,000, depending on the severity of the sexual assault. The categories under Schedule A range from level 1 to 4. Those who submit a claim solely under Schedule A will not be cross-examined by a lawyer representing the defendants.

Class members who are eligible for level 3 or 4 compensation under Schedule A may also file a claim under Schedule B for further compensation.

Schedule B claims apply to any lasting physical or psychological harm caused by the assault. 

More details on schedules A and B and their levels are available on the FAQ page of the settlement administrator’s website. 

On the claim form, class members must detail the sexual assault or assaults they experienced, detail any lasting physical or psychological effects as a result of those encounters and file the claim by mail.

The deadline to opt out of this lawsuit was Sept. 22, 2018.

An approval hearing was held Oct. 27, 2023, and the court approved the settlement the same day.

Claim forms must be submitted by Feb. 27, 2025.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals Rowe sexually abused between 1975 and 1987 within the geographic boundaries of the Diocese of Keewatin and have not previously settled or otherwise released claims against the Synod of the Diocese of Keewatin and Scouts Canada. Parents of individuals who were sexually abused also are eligible.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Class members must provide detailed accounts of each sexual abuse incident incurred by Ralph Rowe. 

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

02/27/2025

Case Name

McKay v. Ralph Rowe, et al., Court File No. CV-17-0239-00CP, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. 

Final Hearing

10/27/2023

Settlement Website

RalphRoweClassAction.ca

Claims Administrator

RCQ Claims Administrator
PO Box 3355
London, ON N6A 4K3
info@RalphRoweClassAction.ca
866-563-1127

Class Counsel

KOSKIE MINSKY LLP

Defense Counsel

BLANEY MCMURTY LLP

THOMAS GOLD PETTINGILL LLP

CASSELS BROCK 7 BLACKWELL LLP