On May 20, 2026, our firm filed an application for authorization to institute a class action against Les Capucins de Québec (also known as La Corporation des Capucins). This request seeks compensation for sexual assaults committed by religious members, employees or volunteers under the responsibility of the Capuchins of Quebec.
Our client’s story
Our client was sexually assaulted by defendant servants from the age of seven.
In 1983, following his First Communion at Saint-Charles-de-Limoilou Church, Father Roger Larose (also known as Father Cyrille) gained his mother’s trust to convince her to send her son to work at the church for various tasks. Father Larose quickly took advantage of these moments to isolate her in a room at the back or in the basement of the church in order to sexually assault her on multiple occasions.
In order to ensure the child’s silence, the priest insidiously manipulated him by telling him that he would never be believed by his mother, while giving money to the latter, whom he knew to be a single parent. Between 1983 and 1984, our client was also the victim of sexual abuse by Brother Raymond Tremblay, who used exactly the same stratagem.
Our client has suffered and continues to suffer very serious after-effects as a result of this abuse, including dropping out of school, substance use problems, anxiety, nightmares, and suicidal ideation. He is bringing this class action to obtain compensation for himself, but also for all the other victims.
The proposed class action
In accordance with the Civil Code of Québec, the corporation is required to compensate for the damage caused by the faults committed by its servants in the performance of their duties. We therefore hold the Capuchins of Quebec responsible for the sexual assaults committed by Father Larose, Brother Tremblay and other people under their authority. Indeed, the assignment of these individuals to their religious functions has fostered a climate of intimacy conducive to these abuses of authority.
We are also suing Les Capucins de Québec for their own negligence. Although they were subject to canon law, which required the investigation and punishment (up to and including dismissal) of clerics committing offenses against the Sixth Commandment with minors, the defendants did nothing. They have chosen to ignore their own domestic law in order to maintain a culture of silence and leave these predators in the community.
We are seeking compensatory damages for the harm suffered by the victims, as well as punitive damages to punish the unlawful and intentional interference with the rights to safety, integrity and dignity, protected by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The proposed class
“All persons, as well as their heirs and assigns, who have been sexually assaulted by a religious member of the Capuchins of Quebec, or by an employee or volunteer, lay or religious, under the responsibility of the Capuchins of Quebec.”
Establishments covered in Quebec
The Capuchin community has carried out its activities in several establishments spread over the territory of different dioceses of Quebec, including:
- Saint-Charles-de-Limoilou Parish (Quebec)
- The Séminaire Saint-François and the Fraternity of St. Lawrence (Cap-Rouge)
- The Séminaire Saint-Augustin (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures)
- The Provincial House of the Capuchins and the Shrine of Reparation to the Sacred Heart (Montreal)
- L’Ermitage Saint-Antoine (Lac-Bouchette)
- Sainte-Anne Mission (Restigouche)
- The novitiate of Cacouna
Applications lodged with the Court
Application for authorization to bring a class action
Current status of the file
Awaiting authorization by a judge of the Superior Court.
How to be part of the class action?
If you meet the definition of the group referred to above, you are automatically part of this class action.
We invite you to fill out this following form if you believe you are a member of the group.