A groundbreaking $31.5 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec has been approved by a Quebec Superior Court judge. This settlement marks the conclusion of legal proceedings spanning several years for individuals who reported being sexually abused by members of the Archdiocese dating back to 1940.
The approval of the settlement was granted by Quebec Superior Court Justice Danye Daigle following a public hearing where representative plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc led the proceedings. Bégin and Bolduc shared their accounts of being sexually assaulted by parish priests in the 1950s and 1960s when they were 14 and 12 years old, respectively.
During the hearing, emotional testimonies from victims were heard to assess the adequacy of the out-of-court settlement and requested fees for the class members. Bégin, now 86, expressed relief at the historic resolution, acknowledging the lasting impact of the abuse on his life and family.
Approximately 200 individuals have already joined the class action, with the Dufresne Wee law firm inviting other victims to submit claims within 90 days detailing the abuse they experienced and its repercussions. Lawyer Justin Wee highlighted that the $31.5 million settlement is among the largest reached against a diocese in Quebec.
The compensation fund will be funded by 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 committed to covering the expenses associated with managing the claims process, including adjudicators’ fees and necessary medical and expert assessments.
The distribution of compensation to each victim will be determined by two retired judges appointed to evaluate the claims, with victims also receiving a formal apology from the Archdiocese of Quebec. Diocesan officials expressed their support for the settlement, emphasizing their hope that this restitution phase will aid victims in their journey towards healing and peace.