Background

• Class action concerning abuse at the Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC) from 1951 to 2020.
• Class includes MDC residents alive as of October 31, 2016.

Settlement Agreement

• Fund: $17 million.
• Compensation:
  • "A Claimants": $3,000 with affirmation of harm.
  • "B Claimants": $4,500 - $85,000 for severe harm.
• Administration: Managed by RicePoint Administration Inc., with Irene Hamilton as claims supervisor.
• Legal Fees: $4.2 million plus taxes and disbursements to class counsel.
• Representative Honourarium: $15,000 to David Weremy.
• Reconciliation:
  • Legislative apology.
  • $1 million endowment fund for community projects.
  • $150,000 for counseling.
  • Memorial and archival initiatives for MDC.

Court’s Findings

• Fairness: Settlement deemed fair, reasonable, and beneficial for the class, offering timely compensation.
• Discovery: Extensive discovery (68,000 documents) ensured well-understood cases.
• Negotiations: Conducted without collusion, including a Judicially Assisted Dispute Resolution Conference.
• Legal Fees: 25% of the settlement fund, considered fair due to the complexity and risks involved.
• Honourarium: Recognized Weremy’s significant efforts beyond typical expectations.

Conclusion

The court approved the settlement, legal fees, and honourarium, confirming the agreement was reasonable and addressed class members' needs effectively.