COOPER REGEL, along with KOSKIE MINSKY LLP, commenced a class action on January 25, 2018 against the Attorney General of Canada alleging that its operation of “Indian Hospitals” was negligent and breached fiduciary duties owed to First Nation, Inuit & Métis people.

The claim alleges, among other things, that between 1945 and 1981 Canada transported First Nation, Inuit & Métis people to dilapidated facilities converted into hospitals where they were isolated from their family, friends and communities. The hospitals were substandard, overcrowded, and rife with physical and sexual abuse.   Patients were tied to their beds, placed in full body casts and not afforded the ability to be educated or retain their Indigenous culture and heritage. Patients left these hospitals physically and psychologically traumatized. The proposed class includes First Nation, Inuit & Métis people who were admitted to an Indian Hospital operated by Canada from November 1, 1945 until 1981 as well as certain family members.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: 

January 27, 2026

Claim forms are now being accepted by the court appointed Administrator. All information is available on their website: https://ihsettlement.ca/

To be eligible for compensation:

To be eligible for compensation, you must fill out, sign, and submit a completed Claim Form, along with any supporting documents. ALL CLAIM FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR by the Claims Deadline of July 27, 2028.

  1. The Claimant must have been admitted to one of 33 Federal Indian Hospitals included on the list in the Settlement Agreement during any period(s) when the hospital was operated by the Government of Canada within the Class Period. The list is available here à Schedule D – List of Federal Indian Hospitals included in the Settlement Agreement; and
  1. The Claimant experienced psychological, verbal, physical, and/or sexual abuse (not connected to medical treatment) while admitted at the Federal Indian Hospital; and
  1. The Claimant must also have been alive as of January 25, 2016 (claims may be denied if the person passed away before that date).
Help with the claims process

Here is the Claim Form: https://ihsettlement.ca/claims/

You can get help completing the Claim Form, or for further information about the claims process. Call 1-888-592-9101 for assistance. If you need assistance with a particularly serious or complex claim, our office may be able to offer some assistance. Make sure you send only copies of any other documents (photocopy, scan, fax or photo) – do not send original documents.

     

 If you or someone you are assisting experiences symptoms of trauma and/or needs to speak to someone, support is available:

June 26, 2025

We are pleased to announce that the Federal Court has approved the Settlement Agreement in this action. A copy of the Federal Court’s reasons for approving the Settlement can be viewed here. The approved Settlement Agreement can be viewed here.

The Claims Process is not yet open. Compensation is not yet available.  Information about how to claim will be provided in the future when Class Members can apply for compensation. Notice of the Claims Process will also be posted on this webpage and on the class action website here.

June 10, 2025

On June 10 & 11, 2025, Class Counsel appeared before the Federal Court of Canada to present submissions in support of the proposed settlement agreement reached between the parties. We now await the Court’s reserved decision.

March 6, 2025

A proposed settlement between the parties was announced in Ottawa. The full news release can be viewed here.

Compensation is not yet available. The Settlement Approval Hearing will take place on June 10 and 11, 2025 where the Federal Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement and Class Counsel Fees. The Court will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the class.

Please read this important update

Information about the settlement refers to sensitive issues, including physical and sexual abuse, which individuals may find triggering and traumatic. If you or someone you are assisting experiences symptoms of trauma and/or needs to speak to someone, support is available:

We have a QUESTIONNAIRE (not an application) if you wish to submit your information.  If you would like a Questionnaire, please contact our office at info@CooperRegel.ca or 1-800-994-7477, Once you have filled it out, please send it back to us (email, fax or regular mail).

DOCUMENTS

Cooper Regel: 1-800-994-7477 or info@CooperRegel.ca
Koskie Minsky: 1-866-777-6308 or indianhospitalsclassaction@kmlaw.ca

MEDIA – Indian Hospitals Class Action