Firing of ex-lacrosse association official was fair: court filing
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THE Manitoba Lacrosse Association has denied its former executive director’s allegations he was wrongfully terminated amid ongoing harassment and discrimination over his mental health.
The organization’s former director, Matthew Mason, filed his lawsuit in March, claiming he was dismissed on Aug. 11, 2025 without proper notice or compensation.
The association denies wrongdoing and asks the court to dismiss his claim, in a recently filed statement of defence.
“The MLA denies that the termination was unfair, harsh, reprehensible, malicious, or done in bad faith and nor does it constitute an independent actionable wrong,” reads the organization’s court filing.
The association argues Mason failed to mitigate his damages and notes his employment agreement allowed him to be terminated without cause and be given six weeks pay.
Mason claims that beginning in February 2023, he was subjected to persistent harassment from parents of athletes involved in lacrosse programs.
The claim alleges the harassment included multiple false and damaging accusations, such as allegations that he was incompetent, corrupt and misusing organizational funds. It further alleges the situation escalated in July 2025 when an online post accused Mason of being a pedophile.
Mason, who joined the non-profit governing body in July 2018, is characterized in his filing as a “dedicated and valuable employee” who helped expand lacrosse across the province.
He claims he repeatedly informed others at the association about the harassment and the toll it was taking on his mental health, but the organization failed to respond as required under workplace safety legislation.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca