Lutheran Church Class Action

This claim involves allegations against Lutheran Church–Canada, its Alberta–British Columbia District, and related entities and advisors for misuse and mismanagement of funds deposited by members and others in the Church Extension Fund (“CEF”), which was represented as a safe, low-risk vehicle for financing churches and schools.

Instead, the defendants are said to have breached trust, fiduciary, and contractual duties by diverting tens of millions of dollars of CEF deposits into highly risky and speculative seniors’ housing and real estate developments, despite conflicts of interest, insolvency risks, and departures from governing policies.

The claim further alleges that losses and financial distress were concealed from depositors while deposits continued to be solicited, ultimately leading to insolvency proceedings and substantial losses to depositors, for which the plaintiffs seek recovery on behalf of a proposed class

Partial Settlement Agreement 

A partial settlement agreement has been reached with the Defendants Francis Taman, Bishop & McKenzie LLP, a Partnership, Ronald Chowne and Prowse Chowne LLP, a Partnership on behalf of the following class of persons:

1. 1. A class of people resident in Alberta, including persons, estates of depositors, corporations and societies, sole proprietorships and partnerships and congregations affiliated with the Lutheran-Church Canada; and

   2. An extra-provincial class of people outside of Alberta, including persons, estates of depositors, corporations and societies, sole proprietorships and partnerships and congregations affiliated with the Lutheran-Church Canada; and

   3. A class of people resident in Alberta who were resident in Alberta, and the estates of such persons, who were not members of the Lutheran-Church congregation, including corporations and societies, sole proprietorships and partnerships and any other depositors; and

   4. An extra-provincial class of people resident outside of Alberta, and the estates of such persons, who were not members of a Lutheran-Church congregation, including corporations and societies, sole proprietorships and partnerships any other depositors; AND WHO

   5. Invested in the Lutheran-Church-Canada Alberta and British Columbia District’s Church Extension Fund as depositors toward the fund.

Your Rights 

If you fall within this class, this settlement may impact your rights. Please view the attached documents for further information concerning the proposed settlement.