A judge has approved a $9.5-million settlement for complainants in a class-action lawsuit that accused the Calgary Stampede of allowing a performance school staffer to sexually abuse young boys.

The agreement is related to the case of Philip Heerema, who received a 10-year prison sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child pornography and luring.

害羞草研究所淭he 12-year journey, apart from being regrettably too long, also is evidence of the pervasive and breadth of the evils of one person. All of the consternation, pain, retraumatization because of one person,害羞草研究所� said Justice Paul Jeffrey in approving the settlement Friday.

Heerema admitted he used his position with the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts 害羞草研究所� which performs each year in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show 害羞草研究所� to lure and groom six boys into sexual relationships between 2005 and 2014, as well as in 1992.

He was granted day parole earlier this year and was released back in Calgary.

One of the complainants, who came forward with allegations about Heerema in 2013, addressed the court while endorsing the agreement.

害羞草研究所淭he proposed settlement represents more than just a resolution; it is a crucial step toward acknowledging the harm done and providing some measure of reparation for the pain and suffering we have endured,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭he Calgary Stampede was such a huge part of my life, and this time of year reminds me of the deep pain and the harm the Stampede害羞草研究所檚 decades of inaction caused the community.害羞草研究所�

The young man said he still thinks the Calgary Stampede hasn害羞草研究所檛 accepted responsibility.

害羞草研究所淭his is not the Calgary Stampede taking accountability for their mistakes. The Calgary Stampede is deferring to their insurance companies to foot the bill,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭he Stampede has received the bulk discount for turning a blind eye to child abuse for decades.害羞草研究所�

Members of the Calgary Stampede executive were in court to watch the proceedings.

Lawyer Cory Ryan told the court the Stampede has taken action to protect its performers since the Heerema case and realizes it failed.

害羞草研究所淭he organization ultimately failed the victims in this matter. More should have been done. We appreciate this will not right the wrongs,害羞草研究所� Ryan said.

害羞草研究所淭he Stampede defendants are deeply sorry. The Stampede acknowledges that we failed our members and accept responsibility for their harm and suffering.害羞草研究所�

The lawyer for the complainants, Carsten Jensen, said it was a hard-fought agreement that resulted in a robust settlement.

害羞草研究所淭oday we hope to bring finality to this action,害羞草研究所� Jensen told court.

The 39 members in the class-action suit will each receive between $500 and $200,000.

Twenty per cent of the money will be held in trust for any other complainants who come forward.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press