Federal Court approves Indian day schools class-action settlement

August 19, 2019:

The Federal Court has approved a nation-wide class settlement to compensate survivors for harms suffered while attending Federal Indian Day Schools and Federal Day Schools. The settlement includes compensation for eligible Survivor Class Members ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 based on the level of harm experienced as well as the creation of a Legacy Fund of $200 million to support commemoration projects, health and wellness projects, and language and culture initiatives. To be eligible for direct compensation, a person must have attended at least one of the Federal Indian Day Schools or Federal Day Schools funded, managed and controlled by Canada.

To be eligible for direct compensation, a person must have attended at least one of the Federal Indian Day Schools or Federal Day Schools funded, managed and controlled by Canada.

Information about how to make a claim will become available on this website in the coming weeks. You can complete a registration form to receive information about the settlement as it becomes available. There is no deadline to register. If you have any questions or need support, please call 1 (844) 539-3815.

The following information is from the Day School Class Action website:

Do you want to opt-out of this claim?

Class Members have until November 18, 2019, to opt-out of the settlement by removing themselves from the Class. Opting out is a serious and permanent decision. Those choosing to opt-out of the settlement will receive no compensation from this settlement but will retain the right to bring an individual claim against Canada for harms suffered, if they wish to do so. Anyone choosing to opt out must complete and submit the Opt Out Form.

What else should I know?

Survivors will be able to apply for compensation, however, compensation will not be issued until after the implementation date. Claims for compensation will begin to be processed for compensation 120 days from August 19, 2019, subject to any appeals that are brought.

You can review the Claims Form here. You are encouraged to review the form and requirements. Information about how to make a claim will become available in the coming weeks.

Once the claims process has started, Class Members will have two and a half years to complete the Claims Form. To be eligible for compensation, Survivor Class Members must have attended one of the identified Day Schools listed on Schedule K.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in this FAQ section.