Federal Court Approves 'Historic' $2.8 Billion Residential Day Schools Settlement

A 2.8 billion dollar settlement has been reached between the Canadian government and plaintiffs representing 325 First Nations whose members went to residential day schools.

Justice Ann Marie McDonald approved the agreement yesterday, calling it historic and transformational.

"This settlement is historic both in terms of the quantum of the settlement and its unique structure," McDonald said.

"As Canada remarked, the $2.8-billion settlement is not intended to put a value on the losses suffered by the Band Class members, as that is an impossible task."

McDonald noted that the agreement does not release the federal government from future lawsuits related to children who died or disappeared at residential schools.

The lawsuit was originally brought forth by two B.C. First Nations, the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc, and the shishalh, more than a decade ago, for members who were ineligible for the 2006 settlement reached between Canada and full-time students at the schools.

The settlement is intended to help take steps to reverse the losses of language, culture, and heritage through an Indigenous-led not-for-profit body.