Question Period Note: St. Anne’s Request for Independent Review

• The mistreatment of Indigenous children, including those who attended St. Anne’s Indian Residential School, is a devastating part of Canada’s history.
• To restore the confidence that survivors may have lost in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Canada sought a court-ordered, independent review of St. Anne’s Independent Assessment Process claims which were decided without consideration of Canada’s 2015 updated Persons of Interest reports.
• The Independent Review determined that that St. Anne’s claimants were not prejudiced and no further compensation was warranted.
• Canada has provided funding to St. Anne’s survivors to support healing during this process.

N / A

If pressed on Independent Special Reviewer
• The court designated former Justice Ian Pitfield to conduct the independent review.
• Justice Pitfield was previously appointed by the court, and currently holds the position of Independent Special Advisor under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
• Former Justice Pitfield has knowledge of the Independent Assessment Process and is well-placed to conduct a timely, transparent, and independent review.
If pressed on Compensation for St. Anne’s survivors
• Canada deeply regrets its past policies that removed Indigenous children from their communities and denied them their families, language and culture.
• We are committed to reconciliation, healing and justice for former students of St. Anne’s, and all Indian Residential Schools.
• 96% of all claimants from St. Anne’s Residential School have received compensation.