CURRENT CASES
A SAMPLE OF OUR ACTIVE CASES
Flawed Hair-Strand Testing by the Motherisk Laboratory at SickKids
Gillian Hnatiw & Co. represents plaintiffs in several civil actions arising from flawed drug and alcohol hair‑strand testing conducted by the Motherisk Drug Testing Laboratory at The Hospital for Sick Children (“SickKids”) between the late 1990s and 2015. The claims allege that SickKids, Dr. Gideon Koren, and Joey Gareri were negligent in operating and overseeing Motherisk, including by failing to meet internationally recognized forensic standards and by not ensuring proper quality controls, proficiency testing, or accreditation. As a result, unreliable test results were used in child protection and other legal proceedings, causing significant harm to the affected individuals and families.
RELEVANT MEDIA COVERAGE
Allegations of Sexual Abuse by David Latimer at Kilcoo Camp
The lawsuits filed by J. Doe #1 and J. Doe #2 on July 27, 2023, against Kilcoo Camp and David Latimer have been resolved by mutual agreement of the parties.
Kilcoo Camp is committed to being a safe and nurturing environment. The Camp and all involved have learned from, and are grateful for, the frank and positive discussions that have led to this outcome.
As previously announced, after many years of service David Latimer has retired as Director. Kilcoo is grateful that Patrick Tingley has agreed to act as Director. David Latimer will not be involved in Kilcoo Camp in the future.
As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the Camp has put in place a Sexual Harassment and Abuse Policy and Anti-Bullying policy which will evolve to respond to camp management best practices. The Camp has also chosen to engage with the Ontario Camping Association for an enhanced cycle of audits on such programs.
Kilcoo Camp remains committed to ensuring that staff, campers, and all those who spend time at Kilcoo in the future have a fulfilling and safe experience.
The parties to the litigation will have no further comment.
Sexual Abuse by Wayne Tennant
On behalf of multiple clients, including Jeff Budd, Gillian Hnatiw & Co. commenced civil claims in the Superior Court of Justice against Wayne Tennant and the Waterloo Region District School Board. Our clients alleged that they were sexually abused by their elementary school teacher, Wayne Tennant, in the 1970s-1980s. Tennant was later arrested and in 1982, plead guilty to three counts of indecent assault relating to three male students at the school (not including our clients).
In late 2025, the lawsuits were resolved by mutual agreement of the parties.
If you were abused or witnessed misconduct by Wayne Tennant, we invite you to contact us here.
RELEVANT MEDIA COVERAGE
Harassment, Mistreatment and Abuse at Water Polo Canada
On behalf of four clients, Gillian Hnatiw & Co. has commenced a civil claim in the Superior Court of Justice against Water Polo Canada.
Our clients, all of whom were Canadian national team athletes during the events at issue, allege that employees of Water Polo Canada subjected them to a campaign of harassment, mistreatment, and physical, verbal, and emotional abuse. They also allege that Water Polo Canada knew about the abuse but did nothing to intervene or prevent it from recurring.
If you have experienced misconduct by Water Polo Canada, or anyone else, please contact us here. We would be pleased to speak with you about the possibility of representation by our firm.
RELEVANT MEDIA COVERAGE
Sexual Assault & Harassment by Colin E. MacDonald
Our client, Elizabeth (Liz) LeClair, worked as a fundraiser for several prominent institutions in Halifax. In the course of multiple jobs, she was required to interact with Colin E. MacDonald, the co-founder of Clearwater Seafood. Liz alleges that MacDonald subjected her to a pattern of unwelcome sexualized comments and questions over several years, which escalated to a blatant sexual proposition during a car trip to Antigonish. After rejecting his advances, Liz alleges she spent the duration of the car ride afraid that MacDonald would force himself on her.
If you experienced or witnesses sexual misconduct by Colin E. MacDonald, we invite you to contact us here.