The Claims Period is now open. Claimants have until July 27, 2028 to submit a Claim for compensation.
Settlement Background
Background
From 1936 to 1981, the federal government operated hospitals referred to as Federal Indian Hospitals. In the class action, Ann Cecile Hardy v. The Attorney General of Canada (Court File No. T-143-18), individuals who were admitted to Federal Indian Hospitals sought damages or monetary compensation from the Government of Canada for abuses, including psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse, they experienced while admitted.
On June 24, 2025, the Federal Court approved a Settlement Agreement that address claims of psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse at Federal Indian Hospitals.
The Claims Period is now open and Class Members have until July 27, 2028 to submit a Claim .
The Settlement
The Government of Canada has agreed to pay compensation to eligible Primary Class Members who suffered psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse while admitted to one of the 33 Federal Indian Hospital when it was operated by the federal government. Compensation ranges between $10,000 and $200,000, based on the severity of abuse.
The Settlement does not include compensation for medical malpractice or claims connected to medical treatment
Eligible Primary Class Members will receive a single payment reflecting the most severe abuse they suffered while admitted to a Federal Indian Hospital
The Settlement includes the creation of a Foundation which will manage two separate funds:
- A Healing Fund that will provide $150,000,000 to support healing, wellness, reconciliation, protection of languages, education and commemoration activities.
- A Research and Commemoration Fund that will provide $235,500,000 to support research, education and preservation of the history of Federal Indian Hospitals and locating burial sites associated with the Hospitals.
The Settlement also provides for a $150,000,000 funding increase to existing Indigenous Services Canada programs to support the health and wellness of Class Members through the implementation of the Settlement.
Who’s included
You may be eligible if:
- You were admitted to one of 33 Federal Indian Hospitals included in Schedule D (Class Members may know a Hospital by another name, Claims Helpers can help with this) while it was operated by the Government of Canada. A full list of the hospitals, and their years of operation, is available at www.IHSettlement.ca;
and
- you suffered abuse, including psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse, while admitted to one of these Federal Indian Hospitals.
Estates:
- Primary Class Members who passed away on or after January 25, 2016, may be eligible through the Estates process.
Family members:
- Family Class Members (close family members of a Primary Class Member) are not eligible for individual compensation under the Settlement.
All Class Members will benefit from the work of the Foundation and additional funding to existing Indigenous Services Canada programs. These initiatives will collectively support healing, wellness, truth, reconciliation, cultures, protection of languages, commemoration, and research and education.
This Settlement does not include:
- compensation for medical malpractice or claims related medical treatment.
- any Hospital not listed in Schedule D
Supports available
Free resources and supports are available to help you every step of the way:
The Claims Administrator can answer questions about the Claims Process and Claim Form. They can also provide status updates on your Claim.
Class Counsel can answer your legal questions about the Settlement and the Claims Process.
Claims Helpers are available to help you complete your Claim Form and answer general questions about the Claims Process.
You can hire your own lawyer. If you receive compensation, the lawyer who assisted you can request their legal fees be paid by the Government of Canada.
