Dozens of individuals who were victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in central and western Nova Scotia are on track to receive compensation, almost four years following the resolution of a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth. Lawyers have confirmed that checks are expected to be dispatched by mid-September, addressing concerns raised earlier this year by some claimants and the presiding judge regarding delays in payments and perceived lack of communication.
Timothy Clark, who experienced abuse by a priest in the mid-1980s during his teenage years and publicly expressed his frustrations with the case earlier this year, expressed relief that the process is nearing its conclusion. While acknowledging some dissatisfaction with the process, Clark noted a sense of emotional relief as the end approaches.
The class-action lawsuit encompasses victims who suffered abuse between 1954 and 2020. Over 65 individuals have been approved for compensation ranging from $21,799 to $303,294, based on the severity of the abuse and resulting harm. Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Christa Brothers sanctioned a settlement in November 2022 obligating the archdiocese to pay $10 million, including $3.2 million allocated to the legal firms managing the class action.
Legal representatives for both the class-action participants and the archdiocese cited various factors contributing to the payment delays, including a surge in claims filed towards the end of 2023 as the submission deadline approached. The process was prolonged by the need to conduct interviews with claimants at the archdiocese’s request to clarify details, with some individuals hesitant to discuss the abuse they endured.
John McKiggan, one of the lead attorneys in the class action, mentioned that some cases underwent evaluation by a third-party adjudicator. As the settlement earmarked a fixed sum for compensation, disbursements were contingent on assessing all cases to determine each victim’s entitlement based on the number and severity of claims.
Expressing satisfaction at reaching a resolution, McKiggan acknowledged the stress experienced by some survivors during the process. He highlighted the challenges faced by victims approved for compensation early on who had to endure years of waiting before receiving their funds.
Archbishop Brian Dunn of Halifax-Yarmouth conveyed the archdiocese’s contentment with providing compensation to the victims, describing it as a significant step for their closure. Melanie Comstock, a legal representative for the archdiocese, deemed the payouts among the highest in Canada for a historical abuse class action, emphasizing the fairness of the process to both victims and the church.
Comstock noted that the innovative approach taken to determine compensation, allowing claimants more flexibility in their proceedings, contributed to the process’s duration. Claimants could opt for a straightforward route involving a written claim and a brief interview or a more comprehensive route requiring additional evidence and detailed questioning for higher compensation claims.
Clark, who was a victim of sexual abuse at 14 years old, expressed that his motivation for joining the class action was not primarily monetary but to disclose his experiences and seek acknowledgment. Despite initial hopes for a direct dialogue with archdiocesan leadership, Clark has come to terms with the process’s limitations.
Acknowledging improvements in communication from the law firms handling the class action, Clark expressed gratitude for the expected compensation of approximately $52,000, intending to utilize it to settle debts incurred in supporting his children through university.