Canada delays resolution of school abuse settlement

Thursday, January 18, 2007  

A $1.9 billion settlement for victims of residential school abuse is being delayed because the Canadian government has filed an appeal.

The government is not challenging payments that will be made to former residential school students. The appeal centers over how much lawyers who handled the case will receive.

The move was criticized by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "We strongly encourage the government of Canada and the Saskatchewan court to sever this legal issue so that the $1.9-billion settlement process can proceed without further delay in settlement payments for survivors," he said.

Some law firms stand to gain anywhere from $25 million to $100 million while Native survivors will receive a lump sum of $10,000, plus $3,000 for each year spent in school. Additional money can be sought for those with documentable abuse claims.

Get the Story:
Ottawa fights decision on residential school legal fees (CBC 1/17)

Residential School Abuse / Church Liability Decision:
Blackwater v. Plint (October 21, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Assembly of First Nations - http://www.afn.ca
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Department - http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english

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