The Sechelt and T’Kemlups First Nations have won certification for a class action lawsuit to get compensation for residential school day scholars.
The decision wasn’t expected until the fall, but it came down Wednesday, as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was wrapping up its events in Ottawa.
Earlier this week, the Sechelt Nation’s Garry Feschuk was in Ottawa to update the TRC on the case. He said they already have several other First Nations and individuals waiting to sign on and they’ve set up an “opt-in” model.
In a statement Wednesday Chief Calvin Craigan called the certification “… a strong signal from the court that Day Scholars count, and that Canada must answer for their treatment while they were attending school.”
The two First Nations launched the suit in 2012.
The day scholars, students who didn’t live at the schools, were left out of an earlier compensation agreement.
The federal government could still appeal the certification.
