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
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
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.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.