A landmark $31.5 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec has been approved by a Quebec Superior Court judge. This agreement brings an end to years of legal battles for individuals who alleged they were victims of sexual assault by Archdiocese members dating back to 1940.
The settlement, sanctioned by Quebec Superior Court Justice Danye Daigle following a public hearing, was spearheaded by representative plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc. 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 fairness of the out-of-court settlement and requested fees for the class members. Bégin, now 86, expressed relief at the outcome, highlighting the profound impact of the abuse on his life and family.
Around 200 individuals have already joined the class action, with the opportunity for other victims to submit their claims within 90 days detailing the alleged abuse and its consequences. The $31.5 million compensation fund, one of the largest against a diocese in Quebec, will be funded by the Archdiocese of Quebec, Séminaire de Québec, Collège François-de-Laval, and the Mutual Insurance of Quebec Fabriques.
In addition to financial compensation, the defendants have agreed to cover administrative costs associated with processing claims, including adjudicators’ fees and expenses for medical records and expert opinions as needed. The distribution of funds to victims will be determined by two retired judges appointed for this purpose, along with each victim receiving a written apology from the Archdiocese of Quebec.
Diocesan officials have welcomed the settlement, expressing hope that it will aid victims in their journey towards healing and peace.