The Claims process is currently open
The deadline to submit a claim is October 4, 2023, at 11:59 p.m EST.
Claimants should act quickly to ensure that they do not miss the claims deadline. You can apply online or contact the Claims Administrator (Deloitte) at: dayscholarsclaims@deloitte.ca or 1-877-877-5786.
The Indian Residential Schools Day Scholars Class Action was brought on behalf of Day Scholars – students who attended Indian Residential Schools (“IRS”) during the day only but did not sleep there overnight, and their Descendants (their children).
The lawsuit claimed that IRSs destroyed Class Members’ language and culture, violated their cultural and linguistic rights, and caused psychological harms.
The Federal Court has approved a settlement agreement that resolves the Day Scholar Survivor and Descendant Class claims
What does the settlement contain?
The settlement contains benefits for both Day Scholar Survivor Class and Descendant Class:
- Survivor Class: $10,000 Day Scholar Compensation Payment. Each Day Scholar who attended an Indian Residential School during the day only (but did not sleep there overnight) is eligible to apply for a $10,000 Day Scholar Compensation Payment. In cases where the Day Scholar died on or after May 30, 2005, the deceased Day Scholar’s estate Executor/Administrator/Trustee/Liquidator or if there is none, highest priority heir may apply for the Day Scholar Compensation Payment.
- Survivor and Descendant Class: A $50 million Day Scholars Revitalization Fund to support healing, wellness, education, language, culture, heritage and commemoration activities for the benefit of Survivor and Descendant Classes.
Band Class Information
The settlement does not affect the Band Class. The Band Class claims will continue to trial. Learn more.
What you should know
Day Scholars (Survivor Class Members) are students who attended an IRS only during the day only but did not sleep there overnight. All Day Scholars who attended an IRS during the day only, for part of or all of a school year, are included in this settlement.
“Schedule E” lists Indian Residential Schools that had or could have had Day Scholars. In order to be eligible for a Day Scholar Compensation Payment, you must have attended one of these schools.
Settlement Agreement & Important Documents
Learn more about what the Day Scholars Survivors and Descendants settlement means for you or read important documents that explain what you need to know.
Who can apply?
Check the lists of all Indian Residential Schools that had or could have had Day Scholars to see if you are eligible to apply.
Settlement milestones
June 4, 2021
The Day Scholar Survivor and Descendant Class settlement agreement is signed.
September 7-8, 2021
A Settlement Approval Hearing was heard by the Federal Court in Vancouver, B.C. Justice Ann Marie McDonald heard from lawyers for the class (Class Counsel), lawyers for the Government of Canada, and from Class Members.
September 24, 2021
Justice McDonald approved the settlement agreement as being fair, reasonable and in the best interests of the Survivor and Descendant Classes.
Updates
September 3, 2021
Watch the residential schools day scholar class action
The Settlement Approval Hearing will start on September 7 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) and may run for several days.
July 21, 2021
September 7th settlement approval hearing
For Survivor and Descendant Class Members, you have the right to participate in the settlement approval process, including appearing at the settlement approval hearing to tell the court what you think about the proposed settlement. We have an update on how to do this.
