A historic $31.5 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec has been approved by a Quebec Superior Court judge. The settlement brings an end to years of legal proceedings for individuals who claimed they were victims of sexual assault by members of the Archdiocese dating back to 1940.
The approval of the settlement by Quebec Superior Court Justice Danye Daigle this week follows representation from lead plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc. Bégin and Bolduc shared their experiences of being sexually assaulted by parish priests during 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 agreement and requested fees for the class members. Bégin, now 86, expressed the significance of the day, reflecting on the lasting impact of the abuse on his life and family.
Around 200 individuals have already joined the class action, with the Dufresne Wee law firm announcing that other victims have a 90-day window to submit claims detailing the alleged abuse and its consequences. Lawyer Justin Wee noted that the $31.5 million settlement stands as one of the largest against a diocese in Quebec.
The compensation fund will be supported by contributions from the Archdiocese of Quebec, Séminaire de Québec, Collège François-de-Laval (formerly Petit Séminaire de Québec), and Mutual Insurance of Quebec Fabriques. Additionally, the defendants have agreed to cover administrative costs related to processing claims, including fees for adjudicators and expenses for medical records and expert opinions.
The allocation of compensation to each individual will be determined by two retired judges appointed to evaluate the claims, with victims also set to receive a formal apology from the Archdiocese of Quebec. Following the announcement, Diocesan officials expressed hope that this reparative phase will aid victims in their journey towards healing and peace.