Manitoba agrees to pay $17 million and apologize to settle disabled abuse lawsuit
The Manitoba government has agreed to pay $17 million and apologize in the legislature to settle a lawsuit filed on behalf of former residents who say they were abused at a centre for people with intellectual disabilities.
The class-action settlement agreement, which still requires court approval, would also see a monument built at the Manitoba Developmental Centre's cemetery and funding flow to projects that help people with disabilities live in the community.
"There's a legacy that's associated with this particular settlement that, in addition to the compensation for harms, will benefit all class members and all Manitobans," David Rosenfeld, lawyer for the plaintiffs, said Tuesday.
The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by David Weremy, who lived at the Manitoba Developmental Centre in the 1950s, '60s and '70s.
The centre in Portage la Prairie is one of the last large-scale institutions of its kind in Canada and is slated to close in 2024 as part of a trend to have people live in the community with personal support.
The facility opened in 1890. At its peak in the 1970s, it housed some 1,200 people but is now home to fewer than 160. The Manitoba government stopped accepting new residents at the centre in 1996, except for short-term and court-ordered placements.
The statement of claim sought $50 million and alleged staff beat residents, deprived them of food and allowed sexual assaults to occur between residents.
Weremy alleged he was often hit with a whip or a wooden board, frequently underfed, and punished for trying to run away by being placed in solitary confinement or being forced to sleep naked on the floor.
The government denied the allegations in a statement of defence and said the centre was run in accordance with the standards of care at the time. It maintains that denial is part of the proposed settlement agreement, and also denies liability.
The Progressive Conservative government did not provide a comment Tuesday.
Rosenfeld said the $17-million settlement is a good result, as it includes commitments to ongoing education that could not happen if the case went to court.
"A court can't make a government apologize for what may or may not have happened in the past, and you can't set up an endowment," Rosenfeld said.
It's too early to say how many people may file claims for compensation or join the lawsuit, he added.
Out of the $17 million, $1 million would be set aside for an endowment fund that would generate money annually for projects such as educational programming on the history of institutionalization and initiatives that promote or support community inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
There would also be audiovisual productions highlighting the stories of people who lived at the centre.
A court hearing to determine whether the agreement will be approved is scheduled for May.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2023
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.