Ontario judge approves $13M settlement for First Nations survivors of convicted ex-priest Ralph Rowe – CBC

Oct 30, 2023

Survivors describe stress, anguish of carrying on after abuse, vow to carrry on

The terms of a $13-million class-action settlement involving notorious sex offender Ralph Rowe have been approved by an Ontario Superior Court justice.

A former Anglican priest and scoutmaster, Rowe spent the 1970s and ’80s working in remote First Nations across northwestern Ontario and parts of Manitoba, and it’s believed he abused up to 500 children. He’s now in his 80s.

The class-action lawsuit was filed by representative plaintiff Alvin McKay of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation in 2017. By that time, Rowe had a total of 75 convictions, but spent fewer than five years in prison.

A settlement was reached in August. The parties include McKay, Rowe and Rowe’s former employers, the Anglican Church’s Synod of the Diocese of Keewatin and Scouts Canada. This will provide up to $350,000 in compensation for each class member who was sexually assaulted by Rowe between 1975 and 1987 within the geographic boundaries of the Diocese of Keewatin.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ralph-rowe-class-action-settlement-approved-1.7010999