Federal Indian Hospitals Class Action
If you were admitted to a Federal Indian Hospital, you may be eligible to receive money as part of a Canada-wide Settlement that has been reached to compensate individuals for harms they suffered.
The Settlement was approved by the Federal Court on June 24, 2025.
Compensation is not yet available. More information on how to submit a Claim for compensation will be shared when available.
News release
What to know about the Settlement
From 1936 to 1981, the federal government operated hospitals referred to as Federal Indian Hospitals. In the class action, Ann Cecile Hardy v. The Attorney General of Canada (Court File No. T-143-18), individuals who were admitted to Federal Indian Hospitals sought damages or monetary compensation from Canada for abuses, including psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse, they experienced while admitted.
On June 24, 2025, the Federal Court approved a Settlement Agreement that address claims of psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse at Federal Indian Hospitals.
The Settlement provides for direct compensation to eligible Class Members ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $200,000, for psychological, verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse experienced at Federal Indian Hospitals.
To be eligible for direct compensation, you must have been a patient at one of 33 Federal Indian Hospitals.
The Settlement also provides for a Healing Fund, a Research and Commemoration Fund, and health and wellness supports for Class Members through Indigenous Services Canada.
Class Members who passed away on or after January 25, 2016, may also be eligible through the Estates process. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
What should I do now?
If you agree with the Settlement, you do not have to do anything right now. But if you disagree with the Settlement or have concerns, you have the right to opt out by August 25, 2025.
More information is available in the Short-Form Notice and Long-Form Notice and in the FAQs.
