University ignored complaints about disgraced Ottawa doctor in 1990s, $500M class action alleges
Allegations of misconduct by disgraced Ottawa doctor Vincent Nadon were brought to the University of Ottawa "in or about" 1995 and were ignored, according to two sworn affidavits by former patients included in a class-action lawsuit against Nadon, the school, the on-campus clinics where he worked and company that managed them.
According to court documents, both women, who are identified by initials A.M.C and C.E.G., and who know each other through a family member, allege Nadon sexually assaulted them at the University of Ottawa Health Services (UOHS) clinic on campus in the 1990s.
"I specifically remember the look in his eyes," said A.M.C in a phone interview. "It was almost like he was enjoying what he was doing. And I just thought that was not right."
A.M.C. says she and C.E.G. met with a woman who identified herself as a counsellor in her office on campus. Later, A.M.C. says, she received a letter from the woman.
"The letter was on University of Ottawa letterhead and it basically said that no further investigation would be conducted," she recalled. "It said Dr. Nadon apologizes if he made me feel uncomfortable during that examination.
"For two women to have come forward and shared that very awful experience…we put our trust really in the school to provide help for us and in the end it's obvious that they didn't do that."
The details are contained within an updated class-action lawsuit that was certified this week and had been amended with damages being sought increasing to $500 million, up from $210 million.
"All I can hope for is justice for myself, I'm doing this for me and so that I can kind of gain some kind of closure and some sort of power back from what happened," said plaintiff Ellina Rabbat. "I also just want the university and the clinic to be held accountable and to know that it's unacceptable."
Nadon pleaded guilty in December 2018 to 14 sexual assault and voyeurism charges relating to 49 victims. He was sentenced to seven years in prison after receiving a one-year credit for time served.
Nadon was granted full parole in July 2021. His lawyer Lawrence Greenspon says his client has taken responsibility for his crimes and will continue to cooperate with the civil proceedings.
The lawsuit alleges "the University of Ottawa failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the improper conduct from occurring again, including requiring the dismissal of Nadon from the UOHS.”
uOttawa did not answer specific questions about when it was informed about the allegations about Nadon or how it handled them.
"The University is aware of this class action lawsuit but since the matter is before the courts, we cannot comment," said media relations manager Isabelle Mailloux-Pulkinghorn in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
The University of Ottawa, UOHS—which has since changed its name to the ByWard Family Health Team—and the management company are referred to as the "Ottawa defendants" and have filed notices of their intent to defend against the claim.
"As the class action suit is ongoing, we will decline to comment," wrote Christopher Fisher, the ByWard Family Health Team executive director.
The class action also alleges various emotional, physical and psychological harms.
The allegations contained within the lawsuit have not been tested in court. Next steps include publicizing the lawsuit with information for those who may want to join it. Those who want to opt out of the class proceedings have until July 15, 2022.
"The university right from the very beginning from when Dr. Nadon was arrested took the position that the clinic is an independent service provider and that the university doesn't manage it, operate it, or supervise it and that’s absolutely incorrect," said Sean Brown, partner at Flaherty McCarthy LLP.
"He only worked there and for the clinic to say 'well he's not an employee he's an independent contractor and for that reason we can't be held responsible' is just simply not acceptable."
"There needs to be way more resources and way more support options for students… those need to be disclosed very explicitly as soon as a student stepson to campus," said Rabbat, who says she got the runaround from the university after learning of Nadon's plea.
"We're all in it together and hopefully this won't happen to other women," said Rabbat.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.