Question Period Note: Non-Claim Records Held by the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat

• Our Government is committed to preserving the history of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

• Canada is already taking steps to comply with Justice Perell’s direction to file a proposal outlining the transfer of non-claim records held by the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

• The records pertain to the operations, management, and oversight of the Independent Assessment Process.

• As a result of COVID-19, Canada received an extension until to file the proposal with the court.

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If pressed on survivors’ documents (92)
• Canada recognizes the importance of preserving a record of the legacy of Residential Schools for survivors, their families, and future generations, while protecting and respecting former students’ privacy.

• Canada supports the decisions of claimants who elect to preserve their histories with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, but that decision must be the survivors and theirs alone.

• Canada fully supports the court’s direction to the Chief Adjudicator to provide notice to Independent Assessment Process claimants that they can preserve their records with the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission, should they wish.
If pressed on the appeal on the litigation (39)

• Canada has already begun to take steps to comply with Justice Perell’s direction with respect to the “non-claim records”.

• Canada’s position in the appeal will focus on ensuring that the privacy of the Independent Assessment Process claimants is protected.