Proposed settlement reached in Nunavut School Abuse class action lawsuit

A class action lawsuit has culminated in a proposed $8 million settlement with the Territory of Nunavut for former students subjected to sexual abuse at schools in Resolute Bay and Clyde River.

The lawsuit involved incidents attributed to teacher Maurice Cloughley, spanning from April 1, 1969, to July 30, 1981. The court has certified the lawsuit as a class action, appointed representative plaintiffs, and designated the law firms Cooper Regel of Sherwood Park, Alberta, and Morris Moore of Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador as class counsel.

According to the settlement terms, the Territory of Nunavut will pay $8,000,000 to establish a settlement fund. This fund will compensate the victims, cover the legal fees and expenses totalling $2,000,000 plus taxes, and manage disbursements incurred up to approximately $95,014.17, including applicable taxes. Moreover, the agreement awarded $15,000 to each representative plaintiff and allocated funds to administer the settlement.

The plan will distribute the settlement funds based on the severity of the injuries, capping individual claims at $250,000. This structured approach aims to fairly compensate those affected by Cloughley's conduct during his tenure at the schools.

The agreement reached by the representative plaintiffs and the Territory of Nunavut aims to avoid further litigation, thereby reducing the costs and risks associated with extended court proceedings. Pending court approval, this settlement is a beneficial resolution for all parties, especially the class members who will benefit directly from the fund.

The Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit has scheduled a hearing on June 4 to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement. Class members have the option to attend this hearing in person, though it is not mandatory. Detailed information about the settlement, including the complete notice and settlement agreement, is available at the Cloughley Sex Abuse Class Action website. This site also outlines class members' legal rights and options, including how to object to the settlement and submit a claim if the court approves the agreement.