Quebec judge authorizes class action lawsuit against former Montreal principal
Posted July 2, 2024 4:10 pm.
Last Updated July 2, 2024 4:20 pm.
A Quebec Superior Court judge approved a class-action lawsuit against a former Montreal school principal over sexual assault allegations by former students.
Phillip Hart Baugniet was a principal and teacher at three English Montreal School Board (EMSB) schools between the 1960s and 1990s, including FACE, which he founded.
The main plaintiff is a man in his 40s who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Baugniet while he was a student at FACE.
The lawsuit, which was filed last year, seeks $16.2 million in damages.
The legal filing also targets the EMSB, which was created in 1998.
A spokesperson for the EMSB says they have no comment, as the case is before the courts.
Pierre Boivin, the lawyer representing the lead plaintiff in the class action, said he encourages all possible victims to communicate with him confidentially.
According to Quebec’s prosecutors’ office, Baugniet already faces two charges in connection to a Montreal case with offences allegedly committed between 1969 and 1971.
According to his court file, he is accused of committing an act of gross indecency and indecent assault with intent to commit buggery.
None of these allegations have been proven in court.
His case will be back in court on Aug. 12 for orientation.
