This class action concerns Canada’s decision to remove Indigenous children from their families and communities and place them in various forms of group accommodations across the country. These accommodations included group homes, hostels, dormitories, and similar residences. While living in these settings, the children attended provincial or territorial schools, often hundreds of kilometres away from home.
Starting in the 1950s and continuing into the 1990s, Canada carried out a policy of apprehending Indigenous children and placing them in group accommodations far from their communities. This was part of a broader effort to assimilate Indigenous peoples into non-Indigenous society. Canada’s actions separated children from their families, cultures, languages, and traditions, and denied them access to their communities and the opportunity to maintain their Indigenous identities.
Children placed in these group accommodations were vulnerable to physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse by staff and others. They were often discouraged or forbidden from speaking their languages or practicing their cultural traditions. Many suffered lasting harm, including loss of language and culture, disconnection from family, and severe emotional and psychological impacts. These harms continue to affect survivors and their families today.
The class action alleges that Canada’s conduct was negligent and a breach of its fiduciary duties, as well as its obligations under domestic and international law, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The lawsuit seeks damages and other relief for the survivors, along with compensation for family members who suffered related harms. Read more about the case in the filed Amended Statement of Claim.
This class action is distinct from the Indian Residential Schools Settlement and the Indian Boarding Homes Settlement.
Klein Lawyers is working with the plaintiffs to have this case certified as a class action.
Group Accommodations Class Action
If you would like more information about the Group Accommodations class action lawsuit, please complete the form below and someone from Klein Lawyers LLP will contact you shortly. By completing this form and submitting it to Klein Lawyers LLP you have not entered into a lawyer-client relationship with Klein Lawyers LLP. Any information you provide to us through the Website will be treated with care and is subject to our Privacy Policy and Website Use Agreement.
PLEASE NOTE: This form is for the Group Accommodations Class Action, which includes group homes, hostels, and dormitories. This is not the Indian Boarding Homes Class Action. If you would like information about the Indian Boarding Homes Class Action, visit here.
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