After years of waiting, victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in central and western Nova Scotia are finally on track to receive compensation following the resolution of a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth nearly four years ago.
Lawyers have confirmed that checks are expected to be dispatched by mid-September, addressing concerns raised earlier this year by both some claimants and the presiding judge regarding the prolonged delay in payouts and perceived lack of communication.
Timothy Clark, who suffered abuse in the mid-1980s as a teenager and publicly expressed frustration with the case in the spring, expressed relief as the process nears conclusion, stating that he feels a sense of emotional relief. Despite some dissatisfaction with the process itself, Clark acknowledged the impending completion of the compensation process.
The class-action settlement encompasses victims who experienced abuse between 1954 and 2020, with over 65 individuals approved for compensation ranging from $21,799 to $303,294 based on the severity of the abuse and resulting harm.
In November 2022, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Christa Brothers sanctioned a settlement requiring the archdiocese to pay $10 million, including $3.2 million allocated to the law firms handling the class action.
Delays in disbursing funds to victims were attributed to various issues, such as a surge in claims towards the submission deadline in 2023. Interviews with claimants were necessary to clarify details, with some individuals hesitant to discuss the abuse they endured.
John McKiggan, one of the lawyers leading the class action, noted that several cases were referred to a third-party adjudicator. Payments were contingent on assessing all cases to determine the amount each victim would receive based on the total number and nature of claims.
Expressing relief at reaching a resolution, McKiggan acknowledged the stress endured by survivors throughout the process, particularly those who had been approved for compensation early but faced years of waiting for disbursement.
Archbishop Brian Dunn of Halifax-Yarmouth expressed satisfaction that the compensation marked a closure for victims, emphasizing the archdiocese’s commitment to providing redress. Melanie Comstock, representing the archdiocese, highlighted that the compensation amounts were among the highest in Canada for historical abuse class actions and stressed the fairness of the process to victims and the church.
Compensation delays were partly due to a unique approach to determining compensation, giving claimants the option of submitting a written claim or providing additional evidence for a higher compensation level. This approach aimed to ensure valid claims were compensated while avoiding payouts for unsubstantiated claims.
For Clark, who was abused at 14 years old, joining the class action was about seeking acknowledgment rather than monetary gain. Despite initial hopes of engaging with archdiocesan leadership about his abuse, Clark accepted the limitations of the process, emphasizing a perceived focus on legal procedures rather than victim-centric outcomes.
Improved communication from the law firms handling the class action addressed concerns raised by Clark and others regarding the delays, with Clark expressing gratitude for the approximately $52,000 compensation he will receive, intending to use it to alleviate debt incurred in supporting his children’s education.