Sixties Scoop class members approved for payments
- EFN Staff | June 04, 2020
Eligible Sixties Scoop Class members are approved for interim payments of $21,000 as part of a national settlement between the Government of Canada and plaintiffs. In a recent announcement, the Federal Court of Canada stated over 12,500 eligible applicants will receive individual payments approved in the months to come.
“We recognize the huge emotional toll this process and delay has had on applicants. Under these circumstances, the fair and necessary thing to do was to make sure no one’s application is denied while we’re still in this period of uncertainty,” said Doug Lennox of Klein Lawyers in a media release. Lennox represents one of the four law firms that helped negotiate the Settlement and provides ongoing counsel to Class Members.
“Because of this decision, it will take a little longer to determine the total number of eligible applications and, therefore, the final individual payment amount that each person will ultimately receive,” said Lennox. “Class Members deserve and are owed justice…the interim payment is about keeping that process of justice moving. It’s the right thing to do.”
For the applicants that are still awaiting a decision on their application, Lennox acknowledges their understandable anxiety and frustration.
“We know this has been very hard on people. We want applicants to know that, while the Administrator is not denying any claims right now, they are still doing the work to approve them. Those efforts may be more difficult because of the pandemic, but they are happening,” according to the release.
Currently, the Administrator is closely monitoring provincial public health updates and is in discussion with Indigenous partners to determine a threshold for when it will be safe and fair to reinstate timelines for incomplete applications and resume the process of issuing denials, where appropriate.
“All the parties will return to court at a later date to seek an order that will answer that question,” he said. “Making your claim—that was a tremendous step on this long and difficult journey. I honour the strength of every person who is going through this process. We are fully committed to keeping you as informed as possible through this uncertain time. We are grateful for your patience.”
For more information, please visit: https://www.sixtiesscoopsettlement.info/