Bishop’s College School settlement approved

MONTREAL – A compensation package totalling $1.15 million has been approved as part of a class-action settlement for former students of Bishop’s College School who allege they were sexually and physical abused there some 50 years ago.

Justice Kevin Downs has approved the deal, proposed by lawyers for victims and the formerly all-male Lennoxville private and residential school.

The compensation package will be divided among former students enrolled there between 1953 and 1962 and who suffered abuse by Rev. Harold Forster or anyone who exercised administrative, educational or disciplinary functions there.

A former teacher and choirmaster, Forster was fired in 1962 and died in 1967.

Once there is formal notice of the settlement, alleged victims have 60 days to signify whether they plan to opt out.

A total of $50,000 is being set aside to finance truth and reconciliation sessions for victims and perpetrators to testify voluntarily about harm suffered or inflicted. Legal costs total about $240,000.

The remaining $895,000 is to be divided among the 30 to 35 former students lawyers expect will come forward to claim abuse, which would mean compensation of $25,000 to $30,000.