Ontario residents may soon be able to cash in on proposed $60M settlement

Former residents of Ontario training schools may soon be eligible to receive compensation under a proposed multi-million-dollar class-action settlement.

A $60 million settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit involving individuals who suffered harm while living at specific provincially-operated training schools, formerly known as juvenile detention centres.

If approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the settlement would provide compensation of up to $100,000 to eligible former residents who experienced physical or sexual abuse or were subjected to solitary confinement.

The lawsuit was first certified in 2018. Koskie Minsky LLP, one of Canada's leading class-action law firms, is representing the plaintiffs in the case against the Province of Ontario.

According to information published on the firm's website, anyone who was alive as of December 8, 2015 and resided at one of the following 13 institutions between 1953 and 1984 may be eligible to participate in the settlement:

• Pine Ridge School, Bowmanville (formerly The Ontario Training School for Boys), between Jan. 1, 1953 and its closure in 1979
• Cold Springs Forestry Camp between Jan. 1, 1963 and its closure in 1976
• Hillcrest School, Guelph (formerly known as Ontario Training School for Boys, Guelph), between Jan. 1, 1953 and its closure in 1978
• Brookside School, Cobourg (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Galt, and Ontario Training School for Boys, Northumberland and Ontario Training School for Boys, Cobourg) between Jan. 1, 1953 and April 2, 1984
• Trelawney House, Port Bolster (formerly known as Ontario Training School for Girls, Port Bolster Trelawney House) between August 1959 and its closure in 1973;
• Kawartha Lakes School, Lindsay (formerly Ontario Training School for Girls, Lindsay), between 1962 and its closure in 1979
• Glendale School, Simcoe (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Simcoe) between 1962 and July 30, 1974
• White Oaks Village, Hagersville (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Hagersville (Junior School) between 1966 and its removal from the regulations under the training schools legislation in 1978
• Sprucedale School, Hagersville (formerly Ontario Training School for Boys, Hagersville (Senior School) between 1966 and April 2, 1984
• Cecil Facer School, Sudbury, between 1971 and April 2, 1984
• Project DARE – Portage Lake between June 1971 and 1976
• Project DARE – Wendigo Lake, South River (formerly Project DARE Wendigo Lake) between 1972 and April 2, 1984
• Syl Apps Youth Centre (formerly Ontario Training School for Girls, Galt (Reception and Diagnostic Centre); Reception and Diagnostic Centre, Galt; Reception, Diagnostic Treatment Centre, Galt; and the Reception and Assessment Centre, Oakville) between 1958 and April 2, 1984.

In order for the settlement to take effect, it must be approved by the Ontario Court first. A hearing has been scheduled for May 1, 2026, when the court will decide whether the proposed agreement is fair and reasonable.

Koskie Minsky LLP says further details about the claims process, including how eligible individuals can apply for compensation, will be provided if the settlement is approved.