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Canada
Canada slow to compensate Native abuse victims


Canada has settled fewer than 10 percent of claims filed by Natives who were abused at residential schools, according to newly released statistics

As of November 1, the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Department has settled less than 1,300 cases out of 11,315 unresolved claims. The government says it has resolved 1,729 cases but this figure includes claims that have been dismissed or that were "voluntarily" dropped.

The statistics show the government has spent $74.8 million (Canadian) on settlements and trials. But out of every $5 spent on the system, only $1 has actually gone to abuse victims.

The breakdown of the resolved/settled cases is as follows:
Settled before trial 1052 claimants
Settled in pilot projects 198 claimants
Trial decisions 15 claimants
Resolved in Alternative Dispute Resolution process 3 claimants
Dismissed and discontinued 461 claimants
Total 1729 claimants

Get the Story:
Native abuse claims settled slowly, documents say (CBC 11/4)

Relevant Links:
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Department - http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english

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