Thalidomide Survivors Contribution Program Class Proceeding
April 11, 2019
Yesterday the Government of Canada announced new details of the program sought to rectify the problems with the Thalidomide Survivors Contribution Program. The news release can be found here. The Order-in-council establishing the program can be found here.
Class counsel and the Representative Applicant are reviewing and considering the details announced. There are a number of details that are still unknown such as, how the administrator will make the decisions, what standard of proof will be applied, what the diagnostic algorithm for thalidomide embryopathy measures, and how and when the multi-disciplinary committee of medical and legal experts will order a genetic test or a medical assessment, among many other questions. It is also not clear when all this will happen, or whether the details are still to be determined by an administrator. We will be seeking more information about the program from the Attorney General of Canada.
Class counsel and the Representative Applicant continue to consider the announcement and any new information that might be provided to assess the impact on this proceeding.
