People who suffered abuse at an “Indian hospital” operated by the federal government can now submit a claim for compensation.
The claims period for the federal Indian hospitals class action settlement opened on Tuesday.
“Today is an important milestone for the settlement,” stated Doug Lennox, an attorney at Klein Lawyers and a class counsel representative.
People can submit claims for psychological, verbal, physical and sexual abuse they experienced while admitted at Indian hospitals operated by the Canadian government.
Between 1936 and 1981, the federal government ran 33 racially segregated Indian hospitals across Canada.
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In 2025, the federal government and survivors of abuse at Indian hospitals reached a settlement agreement. The agreement was approved by the federal court in June last year.
Individual compensation will range from $10,000 to $200,000.
The settlement includes a $150-million fund to support healing, wellness, protection of language, education and commemoration activities, and a $235.5-million fund to support research, education and preservation of the history of the hospitals.
Indigenous Services Canada also agreed to provide $150 million to extend existing federal health and wellness supports to class members.
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Free resources are available to help people throughout the claims process, including help understanding what’s in the settlement, how to submit a claim, and how to access mental health and wellness supports.
“People do not have to go through this alone,” stated Steven Cooper, a lawyer at Cooper Regel and a class counsel representative.
“People can take the time they need.”
