In a landmark decision, a Quebec Superior Court judge has given the green light to a groundbreaking settlement of $31.5 million in a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec. This settlement brings an end to a long legal battle for individuals who claimed they were victims of sexual assault by members of the Archdiocese dating back to 1940.
The agreement, approved by Quebec Superior Court Justice Danye Daigle this week, was spearheaded by representative plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc. Bégin and Bolduc recounted their experiences of being sexually assaulted by parish priests in the 1950s and 1960s when they were 14 and 12 years old, respectively.
During a public hearing in July, emotional testimonies from victims were heard by Daigle to assess the fairness of the out-of-court settlement and requested fees for the class members. Following the hearing, Bégin expressed gratitude, describing the day as historic. He reflected on the lasting impact of the abuse on his life and his family, emphasizing the profound and irreparable collateral damage caused.
Approximately 200 individuals have already joined the class action, and the Dufresne Wee law firm has announced that other victims have a 90-day window to file a claim detailing the abuse they suffered and its consequences. Attorney Justin Wee highlighted that the $31.5 million settlement stands as one of the largest against a diocese in Quebec.
The compensation fund will be financed by the Archdiocese of Quebec, the Séminaire de Québec, Collège François-de-Laval, and the Mutual Insurance of Quebec Fabriques. In addition to the financial settlement, the defendants have agreed to cover the administrative costs of the claims process, including fees for adjudicators and expenses related to obtaining medical records and expert opinions where necessary.
The allocation of funds to individual claimants will be determined by two retired judges appointed to evaluate the claims. Furthermore, victims will receive a written apology from the Archdiocese of Quebec. In response to the settlement, Diocesan officials expressed hope that this step towards reparation would assist victims in their journey towards peace and healing.
