By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

U-of-L files statement of defence calling allegations against Pronghorns staff scandalous and abuse of process

Nov 21, 2018 | 4:45 PM

LETHBRIDGE —  The University of Lethbridge and two employees are denying the allegations levelled against them in a lawsuit brought by four women, and they are calling for the case to be dismissed.

A statement of defence has been filed by the Calgary law firm Scott Venturo Rudakoff LLP on behalf of the university, Sport and Recreation Services executive director Ken McInnes, and women’s Pronghorns hockey coach Michelle Janus.

They’re being sued by Olivia Alexander, Alannah Jensen, Chelsea Kasprick and Brittney Sawyer, four of six members of the hockey team who had earlier submitted a list of complaints under the school’s harassment and discrimination policy. That submission resulted in an internal investigation that found the school’s harassment policy had been violated, and outlined a number of steps in response, including counselling and in-depth training for Janus.

The women are claiming damages in excess of $1.1-million, saying they were “subjected to the harassing and demeaning conduct, representations, omission and/or negligence of McInnes and Janus,” while playing for the Pronghorns.

The statement of defence denies any and all wrongdoing. It also claims the allegations fall outside the jurisdiction of the court and is an abuse of process. It argues the plaintiffs’ statement of claim is “scandalous, frivolous, and vexatious.”

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“The University Defendants state that the Investigation was initiated pursuant to the provisions of the University’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy and conducted in a fair, thorough and professional manner, in accordance with the Harassment Policy,” it says.

According to the statement, following the completion of the university’s investigation, the plaintiffs attempted to appeal to the Canada West conference, but the conference replied that it did not fall within Canada West’s jurisdiction.