Claims process begins in residential schools settlement affecting people who attended schools in Cartwright, North West River, Makkovik, Nain and St. Anthony that were run by the International Grenfell Association or the Moravian Church, announces Koskie Minsky, LLP.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador authorized this notice.
This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.

ST. JOHN'S, NL, Nov. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - The $50 million settlement ("Settlement") between the Federal Government of Canada ("Canada") and former students of the Schools in Cartwright, North West River, Makkovik, Nain or St. Anthony run by the International Grenfell Association ("IGA") or the Moravian Church (the "Schools") has now been approved by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the claims process has now started.  The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador authorized this press release, and other forms of notice, as part of a notification program to inform former students about their legal rights in this class action settlement.

Former students sued Canada about the management and operation of the Schools and the harms and abuses committed against the children who attended them. The lawsuits claimed that Canada exposed former students to child abuse, neglect, and physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. The Plaintiffs claimed that Canada did not protect students' physical and mental well-being even though it was its duty to do so.

The application to have these Schools added to the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement ("IRSSA") was denied. These Schools are not considered eligible Indian Residential Schools in IRSSA, and former students were not able to get compensation for attendance or pursue abuse claims as part of the Individual Assessment Process in that settlement.

Instead, the claims for these Schools were litigated for almost nine years and the lawyers for the Plaintiffs began presenting their claims at the trial which started in September 2015 and was adjourned in February 2016 to allow for settlement discussions.

The representative former students and Canada then reached the $50 million Settlement that provides compensation for former students who attended. The Settlement has now been approved by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Unless they have previously removed themselves from the lawsuit, the Settlement is available for anyone who was alive as of November 23, 2006 and who attended the IGA or Moravian Schools in the following locations between the dates listed ("Class Members"): 

			i.	Cartwright - April 1, 1949 to June 30, 1964
			ii.	Northwest River - April 1, 1949 to June 30, 1980
			iii.	Nain - April 1, 1949 to June 30, 1973
			iv.	Makkovik - April 1, 1949 to June 30, 1960
			v.	St. Anthony - April 1, 1949 to June 30, 1979

The class action no longer includes claims for the "Family Class" (family members of the former students who attended the schools). These claims were discontinued at trial by a decision of the Court. There is no compensation available for the Family Class in this Settlement and any further claims are now barred.

If a class member does not live in Newfoundland and Labrador but attended the schools above, they must advise the Claims Administrator that they want to participate in the Settlement ("opt-in") by May 1, 2017.

Eligible Class Members could receive:

• between $15,000 and $20,000 just for living at the Schools, depending on how long they lived at the Schools; and
  
  
• between $50,000 and $200,000 depending on the level of harm they suffered while living at the Schools.

Class Members must complete a Claim Form and send it to the claims office by the deadline of May 1, 2017 to get money. The Claim Form is available at www.NewfoundlandResidentialSchoolsSettlement.ca or from the Claims Administrator by calling 1-866-542-0369 or emailing [email protected].   

More information on the Settlement can be found at www.NewfoundlandResidentialSchoolsSettlement.ca or from the Claims Administrator by calling 1-866-542-0369.

SOURCE Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador

PRESS CONTACTS: Kirk Baert, Lawyer, Koskie Minsky, Office 416 595 2117; Steven Cooper, Lawyer, Ahlstrom Wright Oliver & Cooper LLP, Office [phone], Toll Free 1-800-994-7477, Cell [phone], [email protected]; Ches Crosbie, Lawyer, Patient Injury Law, Office [phone], Toll free 1-888-933-2437, Cell [phone], [email protected]