Claims process for class action lawsuit brought by female firefighters in Leduc is complete

A class-action lawsuit involving 155 female firefighters against the City of Leduc has reached its conclusion, resulting in a total payout of $9,527,500. This settlement stands out as one of the highest per-person payouts in Canadian legal history regarding workplace sexual misconduct. The lawsuit shed light on systemic discrimination and harassment experienced by female firefighters between the years 2002 and 2023.

The settlement marked the end of a three-year legal battle for Christa Steele, one of the first women to take a stand against the city in 2022 for sexual harassment and bullying, recounting years of disturbing incidents. Steele emphasized the importance of bringing the truth to light, seeking validation, and peace. She was pleased with the compensation received by class members, hoping it would aid them in their healing process.

The Court of King’s Bench approved the settlement on July 4, 2023, ensuring that compensation would be provided to the victims. During a hearing on Jan. 31, 2025, the Plaintiffs requested to disclose the total number of claimants and settlement amounts, but the City of Leduc opposed this. However, the Court ultimately granted disclosure on March 31, making the information public.

Robert Martz, the lead lawyer on the case from the BD&P law firm, commended the courage of the women who came forward and shared their stories. He acknowledged the bravery required to seek justice and hoped these settlements would serve as a form of reparation for the victims. One of the settlement conditions included an apology from Leduc’s mayor, which occurred last year.

Steele expressed her optimism in expecting significant changes within Leduc’s fire halls, emphasizing the need to address the toxic “suck it up” culture that pervades the workplace. She highlighted the importance of ending this negative environment to create a safer workspace for all employees, especially the newcomers. Steele also aimed to encourage more women to speak out against workplace misconduct and champion transparency and genuine change.

Steele urged communities to acknowledge that workplace harassment and discrimination exist within their midst, stressing the collective effort required to make meaningful societal changes. She hoped her advocacy would empower others to step forward and initiate a chain of positive changes in their workplaces.