$145 Settlement Reached in Canadian Government LGBT Purge Class Action Lawsuit
For approximately half a century, thousands of LGBT workers in the Canadian Military and Civil Service were targeted, investigated and had their careers and lives ruined by the LGBT Purge.
TORONTO, Nov 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Following the official apology by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the state-sponsored, systemic oppression, and rejection of LGBTQ citizens, McKiggan Hebert Lawyers has announced that an Agreement in Principle was recently reached between counsel for the class members and the Department of Justice to settle the LGBTQ Purge class action lawsuit.
The "LGBT Purge" refers to the Canadian government's systematic campaign between the 1950s and the 1990s to identify and purge lesbians, gay men, and those suspected of being gay from the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence.
"It caused an enormous amount of pain, anguish and heartache to those impacted by this horrible movement initiated by the government," stated John McKiggan, partner at McKiggan Hebert Lawyers. "This purge, which lasted for decades, denied individuals their basic human rights and treated fellow Canadians like outcasts."
"I am pleased that after a great deal of hard work the parties have managed to reach an Agreement in Principle to settle the class-action," stated McKiggan. "Not only does the settlement provide compensation to address the harms suffered by class members, it also provides significant funding to reconciliation measures to I help class members heal and to educate Canadians about this chapter of our history."
McKiggan Hebert LLP is co-counsel in this class action with Koskie Minsky LLP and Cambridge LLP, IMK LLP. McKiggan Hebert Lawyers also recognizes the efforts of the representative plaintiffs, Alida, Martine and Todd in leading this groundbreaking class-action lawsuit and the courage they showed in sharing their deeply personal stories.
Highlights of Settlement
- A total financial settlement valued at up to $145 million
- A fund for individual compensation valued at up to $110 million
- Individual compensation will range based on harm suffered from a minimum of $5,000 up to a maximum of $150,000
- A fund for Reconciliation and Memorialization measures of at least $15 million
- Read all settlement highlights here.
Next Steps & Settlement Details
There are several steps that must be completed before this settlement is finalized and funds are available to victims. The Minutes of Settlement must be finalized and submitted to the Court for approval. Class Members will also be given notice of a fairness hearing and will have the opportunity to "opt out" if they choose. If more than 250 class members opt out, the government has the option of cancelling the deal. The claim will be administered by a neutral third party, who will accept applications for payment and determine which class members are entitled to payment and how much they are entitled to receive. Learn more about the settlement process and distribution of funds here.
SOURCE McKiggan Hebert Lawyers
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