Settlement approved in class-action lawsuit by former Alberta foster children

EDMONTON – An application for a settlement was granted Friday in a class-action lawsuit by former foster children who were victims of child abuse and other crimes.

The settlement will allow people who were in the care of the province between 1966 and February of 2008 to apply to Alberta Victim Services for financial compensation.

Lawyer Michael Peerless, who represented the class, says that includes people who would otherwise not have been able to make a claim, because too much time had passed since the crimes had been committed.

“We think, at least 300 or 400 people who would otherwise have been blocked from making a claim at all, now will be able to make those claims,” said Peerless.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We think, at least 300 or 400 people who would otherwise have been blocked from making a claim at all, now will be able to make those claims," said Peerless.

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“That’s on top of the 1,000 or 1,500 other people we expect to make claims whose limitation periods weren’t blocked, but who did not know they could make a claim.”

Peerless estimated the final payouts could amount to between $30 million and $50 million, with a typical claim being in the range of $15,000 to $30,000.

The settlement includes $7.5 million that has been set aside by the provincial government specifically to cover claims which would have fallen outside the time limitations.

An Edmonton judge granted the application for approval of the class-action settlement. The judge said he was satisfied the settlement was fair, reasonable, and in the best interest of the class.

Alberta’s minister of Human Services issued a statement:

“I am pleased the settlement will be moving forward, and I hope it provides a sense of closure for people who were victims of crime before coming into or while in the government’s guardianship.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I am pleased the settlement will be moving forward, and I hope it provides a sense of closure for people who were victims of crime before coming into or while in the government's guardianship.

“Government has a legal and moral obligation to provide for the safety and well-being of children in its guardianship.

“We believe this is a fair agreement that respects people who were in provincial guardianship as children and gives them access to legislated compensation similar to other victims of crime,” said Irfan Sabir.