Indian Residential Schools
This class proceeding concerns allegations of sexual and physical abuse at Indian Residential Schools (“IRS”).
The action alleged that former residents of IRS operated by the Canadian Government were neglected, sexually and physically abused, and were subject to the systematic destruction of their cultural and family relationships, during the schools operation from 1920 to 1996.
On May 10, 2006 a national settlement of this action, and similar actions across the country, was approved by all parties involved. Courts across the country approved the settlement, which provides, among other compensation, $1.9 billion to compensate the class members. In particular, each class member would be entitled to a Common Experience Payment (“CEP”) of $10,000 for the first year, and $3,000 for each subsequent year of attendance at the IRS. The settlement also established a process whereby class members who suffered sexual or serious physical abuses are eligible to receive $5000-$25,000. Finally the settlement provides for funding of $125 million for healing programs, $60 million for research, documentation and preservations of class member experiences and $20 million for national and community commemorative projects.
You are eligible to receive a CEP if you are a former student who resided at a recognised IRS and were alive on May 30, 2005. This includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit former students. The deadline to apply for a CEP is September 19, 2011.
Further information is available at www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca.
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Latest Developments
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June 11, 2008
The Government of Canada issued an apology to the former students of the IRS in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Harper called the era a “sad chapter in our history”.
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August 20, 2007
The deadline to opt-out of the settlement expired. The deadline to apply for CEP is September 19, 2011.
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May 10, 2006
The Government of Canada announced a national settlement of IRS actions.
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June 11, 2008
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Contacts
You can obtain further information by visiting the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada (IRSRC) website at www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca.