Saint John Class Action Settlement

This class action relates to harm caused by sexual abuse committed by Kenneth Estabrooks while he was employed as a City of Saint John police officer between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975.

Only "Class Members" are eligible to submit a claim. "Class Members" includes all people who believe they suffered harm as a result of being sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks in the City of Saint John between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975.

You may submit a claim by completing the claim form for yourself or on behalf of a deceased Class Member, subject to additional requirements.

The administrator will review your claim as part of the claims process.

To be eligible to receive compensation from the settlement, you must submit a claim by sending a fully completed claim form (and supporting documents, if applicable) to the administrator on or before April 13, 2027, by:

By Email:

saintjohnclassaction@kpmg.ca

or

By Mail:

KPMG INC.
600 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West
Suite 1500, KPMG Tower
Montréal QC H3A 0A3
Attention: Administrator of Saint John Estabrooks Abuse Class Action

OR

In Person:

KPMG Saint John
City Hall Building, Suite 501
15 Market Square
Saint John, NB E2L 3V6

To get a copy of the Claim Form:

Download a PDF copy from the Documents page or Request a paper copy from the Administrator by Toll-free phone number:
1-855-609-2759 OR Email: saintjohnclassaction@kpmg.ca

Keep a copy of your claim form and all supporting documents for your records. If you submit your claim form by mail via Canada Post, request your post office to apply a postmark (the date stamped by Canada Post) on the envelope. This will be considered as the day the claim form was submitted to the administrator.

You must submit your claim form on or before April 13, 2027.

If you do not submit your claim form on or before April 13, 2027, you may not receive any compensation from the settlement.

The administrator will have limited ability to consider late claims received within three (3) months after April 13, 2027, where the person making the claim provides a reasonable explanation in writing as to why their claim was submitted late. As of July 13, 2027, it will be too late for your claim to be considered.

The supporting documents that you need to include with your claim form will depend on what you are claiming, and whether you are claiming on behalf of someone else.

• If you are claiming for Sexual Abuse only, you do not need to provide any supporting documents with your claim form.
• If you are claiming for Psychological Harm in addition to Sexual Abuse, you need to provide a diagnosis and/or documentation of an eligible psychological harm occurring after you were abused by Kenneth Estabrooks. See question “What is an Eligible Psychological Harm” for a list of eligible Psychological Harms.
• If you are claiming on behalf of someone who is eligible to make a claim and who passed away on or after May 16, 2024,, you need to provide proof that you have the legal authority to act on their behalf (see question “Can I submit a Claim on behalf of a Class Member who has passed away?”) and documentary, testimonial, and/or medical evidence in support of your claim that the deceased Class Member was sexually abused by Kenneth Estabrooks while he was a City of Saint John police officer between January 1, 1953 and November 1, 1975.

Yes. You must swear or affirm your declaration before a commissioner of oaths, lawyer, or another authorized official. This can be done in person or remotely over a video call. The commissioner or authorized official will complete the section provided in the form.

If you need help with this step, including finding a commissioner of oaths, you can contact class counsel (the lawyers representing members of this class action) or the administrator:

Yes, if you have legal authority to do so and the person was alive on or after May 16, 2024. If you are submitting a claim on behalf of someone who is eligible to make a claim but who is deceased, you must explain on the Claim Form why you have the authority to act on their behalf, and attach one of the following documents as proof:

1. Letters of Administration;
2. Letters of Administration with Will Annexed;
3. Letters Probate; or
4. A copy of the deceased Class Member's will appointing you as executor of their estate.

The administrator may contact you if more information is needed.

Your claim will be reviewed as part of the claims process.

You will be notified about the outcome of your claim once all claims have been reviewed.

You do not need to hire a lawyer to make a claim for compensation under the settlement, but you may find it helpful to have one.

Please note that if you decide to hire a lawyer, it will be at your own expense.

The administrator and the lawyers representing members of this class action (class counsel) can answer any questions you may have about the claims process at no charge.
Contact information is available on the Contact Us page.

Yes. You can contact the administrator if you have questions or need help.

In-person assistance is also available upon request.

You can also contact the lawyers representing members of this class action (class counsel) for assistance.
Contact information is available on the Contact Us page.

Under the Claims Process, an Eligible Psychological Harm is defined as any of the following: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorder, sleep disorder, substance use disorder, anger issues, self-harming, sexual dysfunction, intimacy problems, and/or other personality and/or psychotic disorders.

Making a claim for psychological harm is optional. People who are eligible to make a claim who choose to claim psychological harm must provide a diagnosis and/or documentation of an eligible psychological harm occurring after they were abused by Kenneth Estabrooks.

The amount of money paid for each approved claim will depend on the nature of the harm each eligible person suffered, and the number of claims that are approved. The settlement provides for compensation for various types of sexual abuse and certain Eligible Psychological Harms.

Yes. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential and used only for processing Claims.