A proposed $10-million class action against Fanshawe College in London and its board of directors accuses them of negligence under the Ontario Consumer Protection Act.
It seeks damages for tuition and other costs associated with the program, loss of employment income and benefits, and other personal and special damages.
It was filed on behalf of hundreds of past and present students in Fanshawe's paralegal program since 2020. Eric K. Gillespie Professional Corporation, a law firm in Toronto, filed it.
The suit alleges the college has repeatedly failed to meet the requirements of the Law Society of Ontario and students were unprepared for licensing examinations and legal practice.
"The claim details -- numerous failures to report major changes to the program, make annual declarations, follow academic and field placement requirements, meet minimum instructional hours, meet faculty qualification requirements, and failing to teach the more than 300 required competencies," said a release from the law firm on Wednesday.
Fanshawe College released a brief statement regarding the legal action.
"We do not comment on any ongoing legal proceedings or issues," wrote Corporate Communications Officer Kyle Rooks. "We are very proud of our track record of high-quality education and student experience for students across the globe."
"As students, we were told the instructors were properly qualified. We were told they held Masters certifications. It has turned out these were "online courses" of a few weeks. We were told they had experience. It has turned out, for example, they had only recently graduated themselves, and their main experience was teaching yoga," alleges Isabel Koestner, one of the proposed representative plaintiffs.
Another representative plaintiff, Tony Trus, alleges the college lied about employability after graduation.
"We were also told more than 75 per cent of graduates were working within six months. Through the use of artificial intelligence, it appears the real number has been as low as four per cent," said Trus.
Counsel for the proposed class action, Eric Gillespie, said this is a national issue the public raised for some time.
"The claim also raises particular concerns regarding the treatment of international students by Fanshawe College," he said. "Our clients believe it is time to address it. Fanshawe College unfortunately appears to be a prime example (nationwide) of students not being treated fairly."
According to the Statement of Claim, international students thought the program would yield a Canadian work permit.
"The Defendants knew or ought to have known that the program was not in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Act. [The Act] requires students who come to Canada to study must have a State of Purpose for a single purpose, that is studying and not for immigration to Canada, which would be a dual purpose."
The class action was filed with the Ontario Superior Court and still needs to be approved by a judge to proceed.