‘We failed’: Judge approves $9.5-million settlement in Young Canadians abuse lawsuit

A judge has approved a $9.5-million settlement for complainants in a class-action lawsuit that accused the Calgary Stampede of allowing a performance school staffer to sexually abuse young boys. 

The agreement is related to the case of Philip Heerema, who received a 10-year prison sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and luring. 

“The 12-year journey, apart from being regrettably too long, also is evidence of the pervasive and breadth of the evils of one person. All of the consternation, pain, retraumatization because of one person,” said Justice Paul Jeffrey in approving the settlement Friday.

Heerema admitted he used his position with the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts — which performs each year in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show — to lure and groom six boys into sexual relationships between 2005 and 2014, as well as in 1992. 

He was granted day parole earlier this year and was released back in Calgary. 

One of the complainants, who came forward with allegations about Heerema in 2013, addressed the court while endorsing the agreement.

“The proposed settlement represents more than just a resolution; it is a crucial step toward acknowledging the harm done and providing some measure of reparation for the pain and suffering we have endured,” he said.

“The Calgary Stampede was such a huge part of my life, and this time of year reminds me of the deep pain and the harm the Stampede’s decades of inaction caused the community.”

The young man said he still thinks the Calgary Stampede hasn’t accepted responsibility.

“This is not the Calgary Stampede taking accountability for their mistakes. The Calgary Stampede is deferring to their insurance companies to foot the bill,” he said.

“The Stampede has received the bulk discount for turning a blind eye to child abuse for decades.”

Members of the Calgary Stampede executive were in court to watch the proceedings.

Lawyer Cory Ryan told the court the Stampede has taken action to protect its performers since the Heerema case and realizes it failed.

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

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

The lawyer for the complainants, Carsten Jensen, said it was a hard-fought agreement that resulted in a robust settlement.

“Today we hope to bring finality to this action,” Jensen told court.

The 39 members in the class-action suit will each receive between $500 and $200,000. 

Twenty per cent of the money will be held in trust for any other complainants who come forward.