Former co-worker testifies to corporal discipline in Friesen jury trial
A former administrator of the Saskatoon Christian school at the centre of a jury trial took the stand confirming previous victim claims of a policy of physical punishment.
In the ongoing jury trial at the Saskatoon Christian school, a former administrator testified that corporal punishment was a common disciplinary practice. Louis Brunelle, the first witness called by the defense, confirmed claims by previous victims that students up to Grade 4 were subjected to physical punishment. Brunelle stated that it was his responsibility to discipline young pupils and identified a 1997 Maclean’s magazine article, featuring him with a paddle, as evidence.
The article quotes Brunelle as saying, "the child is given three swats on the bum with a witness present." Brunelle also mentioned being named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging systemic abuse at the school and the associated church, Mile Two. The defense concluded their witness lineup on Monday, with closing arguments scheduled for Thursday.
The 2022 lawsuit, which continues this year, was previously halted last year due to a Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision overturning an "abuse of process" ruling. The plaintiffs plan to proceed with the case now that the stay has been lifted.
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