OTTAWA – In the coming months, the Federal Court will be asked to approve the proposed settlement for a nation-wide class action lawsuit against Canada to compensate survivors for harms they suffered while attending federally operated Indian Day Schools. If approved, survivors will be eligible to claim compensation.
The proposed settlement with Canada includes everyone who attended a Federal Indian Day School. Compensation ranges from $10,000 for harms associated with attending a Federal Indian Day School to a maximum of $200,000, depending on the severity of abuse suffered. Eligible Class Members will receive a payment reflecting the most severe harms they suffered while attending an Indian Day School, irrespective of the number of schools attended.
The proposed settlement also includes a $200M Legacy Fund to support commemoration projects, health and wellness programs, as well as language and culture initiatives for communities.
Information on how to make a claim for compensation will become available if the proposed settlement is approved in the months ahead.
In 2009, Garry McLean launched a class action lawsuit against Canada to seek compensation for the harms suffered by Indigenous students forced to attend Federal Indian Day Schools across Canada. Survivors of Federal Indian Day Schools were excluded from the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Mr. McLean passed away in February 2019. This settlement is his legacy for all Federal Indian Day School survivors.
Further information about the proposed settlement, including timelines and how class members can register their support or objection to the proposed settlement agreement, will be made available in the coming days at www.indiandayschools.com.
Gowling WLG, counsel for the Class, will answer any questions from potential class members free of charge: phone: 1 (844) 539-3815 or email: dayschools@gowlingwlg.com
