NDP takes aim at Duncan, calls for funding freeze at school where abuse was alleged

Despite new school regulations announced by Education Minister Dustin Duncan Thursday morning, the Saskatchewan NDP is not pleased with the province’s response to the allegations of abuse an independent school in Saskatoon.

The new regulations include the appointment of supervisors at three independent schools, as well as monthly inspection visits and other new powers for the education minister.

NDP MLA Matt Love said he was speaking as a parent and former teacher as well as education critic when he expressed his outrage at the Saskatchewan Party’s handling of the allegations against Legacy Christian Academy in Saskatoon — formerly called Christian Centre Academy.

Love said he took issue with Duncan’s slow response to the allegations, which were made by more than a dozen former students.

“This week we’ve reached a new low,” Love told reporters Thursday. “Minister Duncan clearly knew about these stories and these allegations”

Love said students who have come forward with claims of abuse “were able to produce the receipts” that show Duncan’s office was made aware of the allegations against the school months ago. However, Love said, it still took nine days after the claims were made public for Duncan to address them.

Love noted that Duncan only spoke to media about the allegations Thursday, despite having heard from former students about the alleged abuse as early as February or March of this year.

Calling for an independent inquiry into the government’s handling of the issues, the education critic said he wants to know what Duncan knew, when he knew it, and what has actually been done in response.

Love said the province should not be limiting their concern to matters that might be considered criminal, saying the stories students shared allege experiences that should never happen in a school.

“There’s plenty included in these allegations that was not criminal that has no place in a Saskatchewan school,” Love said.

Love told reporters the NDP would have immediately frozen funding to Legacy Christian Academy, pending the outcome of any investigations.

The opposition MLA also called for accountability into the institutional failures of the church and school, highlighting the severity of the alleged abuse.

“This isn’t allegations made towards one individual. These are allegations made towards an institution that has existed in our city for decades,” he said.

“These were cultural problems within the school. This is a school that used corporal punishment and paddling proudly … they sold paddles in the building where these students went to school.”

While some have spoken out, saying the school and church are not the same as they were during the time of the alleged abuse, Love said an action like freezing funding was justified because the culture of secrecy and abuse was allegedly deeply ingrained in the institutions.

Love noted that many independent schools in the province provide a good service in the education system.

He said the NDP is listening and standing in solidarity with those coming forward with allegations against Christian Centre Academy and Saskatoon Christian Centre, and commending the bravery of former students doing so.