PRINCE GEORGE (CANADA)
Prince George Citizen [Prince George, BC, Canada]
December 20, 2025
By Bob Mackin
The accuser has written a book and screenplay about the case
The presiding judge made key rulings before the partial settlement of a man’s sexual assault lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince George, religious orders and the estates of deceased clergy members.
BC Supreme Court Justice Kevin Loo, in Dec. 8 reasons for judgment on pre-trial applications, allowed plaintiff Dr. Nicholas John Harrison to make amendments to his notice of civil claim.
Harrison accused Brother Leopold and Father Rayner of physically and sexually assaulting him at Sacred Heart Elementary School between 1973 and 1977. He also accused institutions, such as the diocese and Catholic school board, of negligence.
Loo originally notified the parties of his decision in a Nov. 13 memorandum. The trial was scheduled to get underway four days later, but it was adjourned.
One of the amendments Loo allowed involved Harrison’s claim that he was coerced into observing a defendant engage in a sex act with a dog. Loo said the evidence was included in documents delivered by Harrison in June.
“Further, the plaintiff has written a book and screenplay, of which the defendants were aware, and the incident in question is described in the screenplay,” Loo said.
Lawyers for the defendants did not deny that their cross-examination would refer to the incident.
“It would be unfair if the defendants could cross-examine the plaintiff on his failure to bring this allegation sooner, while precluding him from advancing the allegation in the action at this time,” Loo said.
But Loo dismissed Harrison’s proposal for five witnesses to testify about abuse they allegedly suffered at Sacred Heart.
“There are insufficient similarities or unifying features in this case, and that the probative value of the proposed evidence exceeds its prejudicial effect,” Loo said.