Indian Hospitals were operational throughout Canada between 1936 and 1981. They were operational specifically in British Columbia between approximately 1936 and 1971. They were purportedly established to treat and care for Indigenous Persons with certain diseases such as tuberculosis.
In reality, these institutions advanced Canada’s policy of assimilation. Indigenous Persons were forcibly removed from their families and communities and then confined and isolated in Indian Hospitals for extended periods of time, often far away from their homes.
These Institutions were also poorly maintained, managed and staffed. Staff members at Indian Hospitals were often predators who inflicted physical, sexual, verbal, and even psychological abuse on patients.
This proposed Class Action concerns the creation, funding, operation, and maintenance of Indian Hospitals by the Government of Canada and Canada’s placement of Indigenous people. Most often it was children, in these institutions, that suffered egregious abuse and harm.
Canada’s actions in creating, operating, and maintain these institutions created an environment where abuse and other harms were tolerated and even encouraged. Canada’s conduct, and that of its servants, was negligent and in breach of the fiduciary duties that Canada owes to its Indigenous Persons. This resulted in serious and lasting harm to the Class Members.
If you believe you were removed from your family and community and confined to an Indian Hospital, please complete this form and our office will contact you as soon as possible.
“The negotiations were conducted by plaintiffs’ counsel with experience in class proceedings.”
“I am satisfied it is apparent from the material, which is complicated, and, I might say very well organized...”
“Plaintiff’s counsel are senior members of the bar who have extensive experience in personal injury litigation and class actions..”
“Mr. Klein is experienced and able in relation to class proceedings. Over time he has acquired expertise that permits him to make a valuable contribution...”
“The lead class counsel is experienced and has been recognized by the courts in approving settlements in other class actions.”
“Counsel for the plaintiffs in the various jurisdictions appear to be experienced in class proceedings, and to be recognized as skilled litigators.”
“…Plaintiff’s counsel retained the British Columbia law firm of Klein Lawyers to assist in the litigation. That firm has extensive experience...”
“Klein Lawyers is a litigation firm focusing on class actions. The firm is based in Vancouver but also has a Toronto office.”
“The proposed Class Counsel have excellent qualifications…”
“Mr. Klein of Klein Lawyers has over 20 years of experience in the field of class action litigation and has appeared as plaintiffs’ counsel in over 25 certified class actions...”
“Class counsel, Klein Lawyers LLP and Kim Orr Barristers P.C., are highly experienced in class action litigation. Both firms have practiced in the specialized area of class action litigation for over 20 years”
“British Columbia class counsel took on this case on a contingency basis, and faced a real risk of not being paid at all for their services.”
“Class counsel pursued this litigation to completion on their own rather than with a consortium of counsel from various provinces.”
“Klein Lawyers has continuously posted updates about the case on its website during the litigation, and has posted the court decisions...”
“There is little doubt that the lawyers of the firm expended a great deal of time in prosecuting the action, in negotiating a settlement...”
“…Class counsel undertook an extensive communication plan to advise potential class members of the proposed settlement and to advise them of the...”
