The Manitoba government has agreed to pay 17-million dollars and issue an apology to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of former residents who say they were abused at a centre for people with intellectual disabilities.
The government is also prepared to fund a monument at the cemetery of the Manitoba Developmental Centre and fund educational programming under a proposed settlement agreement that still requires approval by a judge.
The lawsuit was filed by David Weremy, who lived at the Portage la Prairie centre in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.
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He alleges he was beaten and underfed, and other residents were also abused.
The government denies the allegations in a statement of defence and continues to deny liability in the proposed settlement.
David Rosenfeld, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, says the proposed settlement is good in that it offers both compensation and public education.
A court hearing to determine whether the settlement will be approved is set for May.
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