Huronia lawsuit settled

(Update) 

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit filed against the Ontario government by former residents of an institution for the developmentally disabled.

The $35-million settlement includes an apology from the provincial government.

The suit had alleged residents of the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia, which was operated by the province for 133-years, suffered almost daily humiliation and abuse.

Premier Kathleen Wynne says she is pleased that both sides were able to reach a tentative agreement:

“It’s a history families needed to grapple with. They need closure and my hope is that there will be some closure for those families.”

The maximum individual payout under the agreement would be $42,000. Outside court, residents spoke about how they felt about the apology and the settlement.

Patricia Seth, former resident: “All I can say is that we can move forward now and tell our stories. We’re asking for a genuine apology. That’s all we ask.”

Edgar Riel, former resident: “It’s something. I didn’t come her just for money. I came here for justice. I came here for those kids who couldn’t speak.”

Kirk Baert is a lawyer for the residents: “I think it’s great. This is a great deal for the survivors. And it was good of the province to make a settlement because it means that people won’t have to testify at trial and relive all these terrible events that ocurred.”