Ontario residents can now cash in on $60 million settlement

Ontario residents affected by provincially operated training schools may soon be able to cash in on a $60 million settlement fund reached through a class action lawsuit. 

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice officially approved the multi-million dollar settlement this month for individuals who suffered harm while living at specific training schools (also known as child and juvenile detention facilities). 

The centres were used to house children under the age of 16 who were deemed "unmanageable" or were accused of minor crimes. The schools operated between the 1930s and 1984, when the last of its kind closed for good. 

Eligible class members are now able to make claims for compensation from the settlement, and may receive up to $100,000 for the "historic harm" they endured. 

"These schools operated in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Any abuse that kids suffered at these schools was wrong. It was wrong then. It is wrong now. We acknowledge and regret the harm that kids experienced in these institutions. One goal of this settlement is to assist former Training Schools residents to move forward with their lives," said Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario. 

"This settlement is similar to other settlements regarding historical harms at other institutions. While we cannot change the past, we can compensate victims today and hopefully help them as they heal." 

Residents who were alive as of Dec. 8, 2015, and residents at any of the following institutions during the following time periods are considered class members: 

• Pine Ridge School, Bowmanville, between Jan. 1, 1953, and 1979
• Cold Springs Forestry Camp, between Jan. 1, 1963, and 1976
• Hillcrest School, Guelph, between Jan. 1, 1953, and 1978
• Brookside School, Cobourg, between Jan.1, 1953, and April 2, 1984
• Trelawney House, Port Bolster, between August 1959 and 1973
• Kawartha Lakes School, Lindsay, between 1962 and 1979
• Glendale School, Simcoe, between 1962 and July 30, 1974
• White Oaks Village, Hagersville, between 1966 and 1978
• Sprucedale School, Hagersville, 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 between 1972 and April 2, 1984
• Syl Apps Youth Centre between 1958 and April 2, 1984

Eligible class members have until Sept. 22, 2027, to submit a claim, and estate representatives are also able to submit claim forms on behalf of deceased class members who passed away on or after Dec. 8, 2015. 

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has appointed a third party that will decide all claims according to a compensation plan set out in the settlement.