“We failed”: Judge approves $9.5 million settlement in abuse lawsuit against young Canadians

A judge has approved a $9.5 million settlement for plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit accusing the Calgary Stampede of allowing an employee of a drama school to sexually abuse young boys.

The agreement is related to the case of Philip Heerema, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and seduction.

“The 12-year journey is not only regrettably too long, it is also a testament to the pervasiveness and magnitude of the evils caused by one person. All the dismay, the pain, the re-traumatization because of one person,” Judge Paul Jeffrey said as he approved the settlement on Friday.

Heerema admitted that he used his position at the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts – which performs at the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show each year – to entice and groom six boys into sexual relationships between 2005 and 2014 and in 1992.

He was granted parole earlier this year and returned to Calgary.

One of the plaintiffs, who had already made allegations against Heerema in 2013, turned to the court and supported the agreement.

“The proposed settlement represents more than just a solution. It is a crucial step towards acknowledging the harm done and providing some redress for the pain and suffering we have endured,” he said.

“The Calgary Stampede has been such a big part of my life and this time of year reminds me of the deep pain and damage that the Stampede’s decades of inaction have caused to the community.”

The young man said he still believes the Calgary Stampede did not take responsibility.

“The Calgary Stampede does not take responsibility for its mistakes. The Calgary Stampede leaves it to its insurance companies to foot the bill,” he said.

“The Stampede received the volume discount because it turned a blind eye to child abuse for decades.”

Members of the Calgary Stampede management team were on hand to observe the proceedings.

Attorney Cory Ryan stated in court that the Stampede has taken measures to protect its artists since the Heerema case and is aware of its failure.

“The organization ultimately failed the victims in this matter. More should have been done. We recognize that this will not right the wrong,” Ryan said.

“The Stampede defendants are deeply sorry. Stampede recognizes that we have failed our members and accepts responsibility for their suffering and harm.”

Plaintiffs’ attorney, Carsten Jensen, said it was a hard-fought agreement that resulted in a solid settlement.

“Today we hope to bring this process to a close,” Jensen said in court.

The 39 members of the class action lawsuit will each receive between $500,000 and $200,000.

Twenty percent of the money is held in trust for any other complainants.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press