Ontario court does not have jurisdiction to hear proposed class action against Waterloo police
TORONTO — A judge has ruled that the Ontario Superior Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear a proposed class-action lawsuit that accused the Waterloo regional police force of gender-based bullying, violence and sexual misconduct.
In a ruling released Friday, Justice Deena Baltman said the case raised “serious, triable issues” relating to workplace culture but found the court was not the right venue for the case.
The $165-million proposed class action, which was filed in June 2017, was launched on behalf of all past and present female members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service and their families.
An unproven statement of claim filed last year alleged female staff were subjected to unwanted sexual advances, career sabotage and personal attacks during their time on the force.