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Canada
Residential school abuse deal being offered


The Canadian government has announced a settlement package to survivors of residential school abuse.

A press conference was held this morning. Phil Fontaine, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations, participated. "Justice has prevailed," Fontaine was quoted as staying.

According to CBC News, the deal includes:
* A national apology for pain and suffering caused by the system.
* An initial lump sum of up to $10,000 per person.
* Extra money for every year a victim spent in the schools, amounting to as much as $3,000 a year.
* Compensation for claims based on sexual and physical abuse, as well as loss of language and culture.
* A speeded-up process to get payments quickly to elderly claimants.
* Five-year funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

Overall, the deal will require $2 billion in (Canadian) in payouts, the Canadian Press reports. The total package could be worth $4 billion.

Get the Story:
$2B package unveiled for residential school survivors (CBC 11/23)
School abuse package to compensate natives (CBC 11/23)
Ottawa to unveil $4B for native school abuse (CP 11/23)
Residential school deal (CanWest News Service 11/23)

Residential School Abuse / Church Liability Decision:
Blackwater v. Plint (October 21, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Assembly of First Nations - http://www.afn.ca
Indian Residential Schools Resolution Department - http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english

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