A Saskatoon city councillor and the provincial government have been named in a $25-million class action law suit against Legacy Christian Academy, formerly known as Christian Centre Academy and Mile Two Church, formerly known as the Saskatoon Christian Centre. Lawyer Grant Scharfstein says three new individuals, including councillor Randy Donauer have been added to the lawsuit, as well as the Government of Saskatchewan. There are now 24 individuals included in the suit, including former teachers and administrators, and the province.

The allegation for the individuals is that they were part of the alleged mental, emotional and physical abuse that occurred in these schools. It’s alleged Donauer was involved in the paddling of a 16 year old at a church camp in 2003, which he denies. The government was included, Scharfstein says, because it’s alleged the province failed in its duty and legal obligation to oversee, inspect and monitor these schools to make sure all children were safe, and that their academic calendar was accurate, and the curriculum was acceptable.

The two plaintiffs at this point are former students Caitlin Erickson and Coy Nolin, but Scharfstein says he has been contacted by close to 100 students who will be a part of the class action suit. Preparing for certification of the class action is expected to take a few months.