Question Period Note: Litigation - McLean – Federal Indian Day Schools

N.A.

• The Government is committed to advancing reconciliation and healing for Survivors and their families through a survivor centered approach.
• As of today, more than 187,000 claims have been accepted into the claims process and $6.7 billion has been provided to 160,000 survivors for the harms that they have suffered.
• The Department continues to work with Survivors and Indigenous partners to advance reconciliation and support the healing and commemoration of those affected by the harmful policies of the past.

N.A.

If pressed on Claims Process
• The claims period for the Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement is now closed.
• As ordered by the Federal Court, all missing information must have been received by the Claims Administrator, Deloitte, on or before June 27, 2025.
• The parties are working collaboratively with the claims administrator to ensure the claims process moves forward in an efficient and timely manner. If pressed on Other Claims
• We are dedicated to righting past wrongs through negotiation rather than litigation and the proposed settlement agreement brings us one step closer to lasting and meaningful resolution to the legacy of Federal Day Schools.
• We know that there are other Childhood Claims where the federal government does not have as a direct a role. If pressed on Reclassified Claims
• Some class members will receive a letter from the Claims Administrator notifying them that based on the information provided in their claim form, their claim has been assessed at a lower level than originally selected.
• This decision is NOT final and class members who receive a notification that their claim is being leveled down have 120 days to provide additional information and seek a reconsideration of that decision from the Claims Administrator.
• We strongly encourage class members to reach out to Class Counsel, Gowling WLG, for assistance with the reconsideration process. If pressed on Ineligible Claims
• The Federal Indian Day School Settlement Agreement was open to all former students who attended a Federal Day School and suffered harm as a result of their attendance.
• Individuals will only be found to be ineligible for compensation if they did not attend a school listed in Schedule K of the settlement, have already received compensation for their attendance in another proceeding, passed away prior to July 31, 2007, opted out of the settlement or did not provide information required to process the claim by the Missing Information Deadline. If pressed on McLean Day Schools Settlement Corporation
• The Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement Agreement provided $200 million to the McLean Day Schools Settlement Corporation – an independent organization – for legacy projects to support commemoration projects, health and wellness programs, truth-telling events, and the restoration and preservation of Indigenous languages and culture.
• Canada supports the work that the McLean Settlement Corporation is undertaking. If pressed on Health Supports
• Any process that involves revisiting past abuse can be very difficult for survivors.
• In addition to the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program and the Hope for Wellness Help Line, health services are also available from psychologists, social workers, and skilled Indigenous community-based partners. If pressed on attempted fraud and scammers
• The parties are aware that scammers are targeting former students of Federal Indian Day Schools. Scammers may say that additional monies are available.
• Compensation through the Settlement Agreement is provided in the form of a cheque, issued in the class member’s name and mailed to the class member’s home address, unless a person is under disability, has retained non-class counsel to represent them or is the estate of a deceased class member.
• I encourage class members to remain vigilant, be aware of upfront fees, and to not give out personal information.