Historic $36 Million Settlement for Nova Scotia Deaf Schools Approved

Emotions ran high in a Halifax courtroom on Friday as a Supreme Court judge approved a significant settlement in a class action case regarding abuse at two deaf schools.

Justice Peter Rosinski of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court authorized $36 million in compensation for alumni of the Halifax School for the Deaf and the Interprovincial School for the Education of the Deaf in Amherst, which operated from 1913 to 1995.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2015, arose from accounts of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse experienced by former students. Allegations were directed against the Nova Scotia Attorney General and the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority for negligence in safeguarding these vulnerable children.

Michael Perrier, one of the leading plaintiffs, expressed immense relief upon hearing the news. “We’ve finally received our answer. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for,” he remarked.

Richard Martell, another plaintiff, reflected on the emotional significance of the ruling, saying, “Today has been an emotional rollercoaster, and I feel relieved. It’s now time for us to move forward.”

The settlement comprises $36 million for the claimants, $3 million allocated for collective benefits like educational support and interpretation services, and $2.5 million for settlement administration costs.

Perrier shared that the compensation will assist those who lacked educational opportunities and faced lifelong difficulties. “We missed out on a lot during our youth. Many deaf individuals are stuck in low-paying jobs despite having potential for much more,” he noted.

Ray Wagner from Wagners Law Firm, which spearheaded the lawsuit, declared the agreement “monumental” and highlighted that it may be the largest class action settlement in Nova Scotia's history, with roughly 900 individuals eligible for compensation.

Additionally, a public apology from the province and the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority will be forthcoming.