Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange and University of Ottawa

We are defending the University of Ottawa in a $6 million class action claim by members of the men’s varsity hockey team who claim damages after some members were accused of sexual assault and the program was suspended. We obtained a dismissal against the University’s President, and got an order limiting the class’s allegations to a claim in negligence.

This claim is important to all educational institutions in Canada. If the action succeeds, it will expose schools, colleges and universities to liability for negligence in the way they administer sports programs. The proceedings have attracted substantial media attention and have potential to cause the insured significant reputational damage.