Update on Huronia Regional Centre class action process
April 29, 2010
The Honourable Justice Cullity has decided that the claims of the two women who were sent to Huronia as small children met virtually all of the requirements for a class proceeding, especially for the years 1961 to 1979. The law team would now like to find people who were in Huronia before 1961 and after 1979 who experienced similar mistreatment. That way no one will be left out of the potential claims. The legal team would also welcome people placed in other institutions in Ontario to come forward and swear affidavits about their treatment. We know that when Huronia got too big and the province opened other institutions such as Rideau and the Mid-western Regional Centre that staff from Orillia were sent to those institutions and carried on the same abusive practices. People placed in these other institutions will not benefit directly from this lawsuit but this legal action sets the very important precedent and the legal team is prepared to now launch further actions if people come forward.It is our goal to ensure that no one is excluded from the benefits that this action seeks.
The Judge also ruled that we must file an amended litigation plan to determine the process to follow to assist former residents, once a judgment is rendered.
We know that it is a huge responsibility to make sure we support the rights of all of the very vulnerable class members in this case. The lawyers have such a plan ready to take to the Judge. A date will be set for these matters to be addressed in court.
In all other respects, the Huronia case met the test for certification under the Class Proceedings Act, 1992.
Information can also be found at http://www.kmlaw.ca/Case-Central/Overview/Court-Documents/?rid=99
For legal assistance, please contact
David Rosenfeld
Koskie Minsky LLP
Barristers & Solicitors
20 Queen Street West, Suite 900
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3R3
Tel: (416) 595-2700
Fax: (416) 204-2894
email: drosenfeld@kmlaw.ca
website: www.kmlaw.ca
