IRSRC - News Room

New Release

Federal Government Takes Steps to Speed Up Resolution of Abuse Claims at Indian Residential Schools

OTTAWA (October 29, 2001) – The Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Herb Gray, announced today that the federal government will now offer 70 per cent of the compensation found to be owed jointly by the federal government and church organizations to victims of sexual and physical abuse at Indian residential schools. The 70 per cent offer applies to validated claims in alternative dispute resolution or through out-of-court settlement arrangements.

"I personally felt it was time to move in this way, in the interests of former Indian residential school students found to have valid claims for compensation and who are ready to settle without court trials," Mr Gray said. "However we will continue to work with the church organizations to get an agreement on how compensation should be shared."

The initiative, which is effective immediately, is an interim measure to address the serious needs of the victims and to ensure their interests are not set aside during our ongoing negotiations with the four church denominations involved in running the schools. In doing so, the federal government is going beyond its strict legal liability to offer a generous share of compensation. The church organizations can participate in these arrangements, by agreeing to pay the balance beyond what the Government of Canada pays. Where they do not, the victims will retain the right to seek compensation from them through the courts.

Mr. Gray, appointed as Special Representative by the Prime Minister in September 2000, has been trying to reach an agreement with the church organizations to enable the federal government to return to the most important issue – the legitimate claims of abuse which were perpetrated by some workers at Indian Residential Schools.

Mr. Gray went on to say, "We have been seeking a balance between the responsibility of church organizations and their capacity to pay, in order to end the difference over financial matters that has been holding up the claims resolution process for far too long. After months of negotiations and many meetings with the church organizations, there remains some distance between us in resolving this important matter."

The Government of Canada and Catholic, Anglican, United and Presbyterian church organizations participated in developing and operating a system of schools for aboriginal children across Canada for over 100 years. Today, some former students are pursuing their claims for abuse and other matters against the federal government and church organizations in court and through alternative dispute resolution projects. Currently, there are more than 4,500 court cases involving over 8,500 individuals.

As the resolution of abuse claims proceeds, the federal government will join with claimants to plan for increasing the dispute resolution processes. Individual settlements would be arrived at following validation of the claims and negotiations between the claimants and the government. Amounts paid would be confidential and take into account previous court awards in similar situations.

"While we remain committed to reaching agreement in the long term with the churches, victims of sexual and physical abuse at Indian residential schools should not suffer further extended delays due to the inability of the federal government and church organizations to come to terms on compensation issues," said Mr. Gray.

For further information, contact:

Suzanne Cowan
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
(613) 952-4900

Cindy Clegg
Office of Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada
(613) 996-2607