A pair of civil lawsuits alleging a former director of Minden’s Kilcoo Camp sexually assaulted a student camper and former staffer has been settled out of court.
In July 2023, David ‘Lub’ Latimer was accused of manipulation, false imprisonment and sexual assault in suits filed at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Bracebridge. He had been a director at Kilcoo from 1985 until his resignation in the summer of 2023, shortly before news of the suits became public.
The first plaintiff, a Toronto resident and 39 years old when the suits were filed, claims she was abused between 1990 and 1993, with the second plaintiff, a 33-yearold from Stouffville, saying they were first assaulted in 2009, shortly after becoming a staff member, and continuing until 2013.
None of the allegations contained in the suits were ever presented in court and there have been no criminal charges laid against Latimer, who has maintained his innocence. His lawyer, Scott Hutchison, declined to comment when approached by The Highlander this week.
Toronto-based civil litigation attorney, Gillian Hnatiw, who represented the two plaintiffs said the settlement was “resolved by mutual agreement of the parties… my clients are pleased to have things resolved. At the moment, they have no further comment.”
A report published by CBC last month claims a statement posted to the Kilcoo Camp website on Dec. 12 said, “the Camp and all involved have learned from, and are grateful for, the frank and positive discussions that have led to this outcome.” The statement further noted Latimer has retired as director and will have no involvement at Kilcoo moving forward.
The camp also said it has created a sexual harassment and abuse policy, and antibullying policy that will evolve to respond to camp management best practices – with both available on its website at kilcoo.com.
As of Jan. 8, all reference to Latimer had been removed.
Kim Bouchard, the camp’s director of operations, did not respond when asked to comment on the settlement. While Kilcoo was named as a defendant in the suits, Bouchard said in 2023 “these troubling allegations only involve the actions of the former director.”
Details of the settlement, which was announced Dec. 12, have not been released.
