Provincial government funding for a Saskatoon Christian school should be frozen in light of a series of abuse allegations, the NDP Opposition Leader says.
“It breaks my heart to think that this is the experience that shaped these young lives,” Carla Beck said Wednesday.
Some former students at Christian Center Academy in Saskatoon, now Legacy Christian Academy, are going even further. They are demanding that the school be closed forever.
“I think it should be shut down — 100 percent,” said former student Jillian Kudrick.
In a CBC News story published Tuesday, nearly a dozen former students spoke publicly for the first time, sharing stories of abuse that included beatings with large wooden paddles that left them bruised and limping. Others spoke of isolation, coercion, and traumatizing rituals such as exorcisms to “cure” students believed to be possessed by demons.
Shawn Kotelmach, Coy Nolin, Caitlin Erickson, Cody Nolin and 14 other former students at Christian Center Academy in Saskatoon, now Legacy Christian Academy, allege they were subjected to exorcisms, violent discipline and other abuse there. (Travis Redaway/CBC)
According to Saskatoon Police Service emails obtained by CBC News, a total of 18 students have filed criminal complaints. After a year-long investigation, police handed over the file to Crown Prosecution Service in April. It is not clear when a decision on possible charges will be made.
School officials declined multiple interview requests but sent an email saying things are much different at the school now. They say anyone is welcome and anyone who “feels” being abused should contact the police.
According to the Government of Saskatchewan’s 2020-21 public accounts, Legacy Christian Center received $736,274 in public funding. The previous year, he received $699,587. It relies on tuition and fundraising for part of its operating budget, but like other private schools, it has also been supported by taxpayers for the past decade.
On Wednesday afternoon, Beck and education critic Matt Love hosted a news conference outside the school and neighboring Mile Two Church.
Former students at Christian Center Academy, now called Legacy Christian Academy, say all government subsidies and tax breaks for the school and neighboring Mile Two Church should be stopped. The school received more than $700,000 in public funds during the 2020-21 school year. (Jason Warrick/CBC)
They called the allegations “horrifying” and “disgusting” and praised the students for their courage. They called on the ruling Saskatchewan Party and Education Minister Dustin Duncan to end provincial school funding and strengthen oversight of private schools.
“I am determined to get to the bottom of these allegations,” Beck said.
Beck said she was angry. Duncan has known about the allegations and criminal investigation since at least June, but has taken no action. “How can you hear these accusations and not have any curiosity to get to the bottom of it?” she asked.
Students and opposition members are calling on Education Minister Dustin Duncan to freeze government funding for Legacy Christian Academy in light of abuse allegations. An official said he was not available for comment, but no action would be taken until police completed their investigation. (Matt Duguid/CBC)
She said a government that has no interest in protecting students “is quite clearly a government that has lost its way”.
Love said Duncan “has not only failed to act, he has actually increased funding for these schools. … He needs to step up and do his job or step down.”
An official said Duncan would not be available for comment. The official emailed a written statement saying the safety of all students is a top priority. He said no action would be taken at this time.
“No decisions will be made about further investigations or funding until the police investigation is complete,” the statement said.
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