Churches that helped run Native residential schools share liability for any abuse that occurred, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the court said churches can't escape the blame for physical, sexual and mental abuse of Native students. The court split the liability 75 percent on the Canadian government and 25 percent on churches.

The case involved former students of the Port Alberni Indian Residential School in British Columbia. The lead claimant has been awarded about $200,000 in damages for the abuse he suffered.

The Assembly of First Nations welcomed the ruling. AFN has filed a $12 billion lawsuit against the government for abuse that occurred at residential schools.

Get the Story:
Church immunity in abuse overturned (CP 10/22)
Court rules government and churches are liable for residential school abuse (The Anglican Journal 10/22)
Churches liable in abuse cases (The Daily Globe and Mail 10/22)
B.C. Natives church back on hook for school abuse (CanWest News Service 10/22)
Feds, church liable in residential school abuse (CTV 10/21)
Ottawa not fully liable for residential school claims: Supreme Court (CBC 10/21)

Get the 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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