OVERVIEW

Indigenous Youth in Quebec

This case seeks compensation for systemic discrimination by the governments of Canada and Québec against Indigenous children and families in Québec since January 1, 1992; and Inuit children and families in Nunavik – northern Québec – since November 11, 1975.

The claim alleges that the governments breached constitutional rights to equality and other rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Québec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, as well as other rights under the Civil Code of Québec.

The alleged discrimination has taken several forms:

Failing to fund prevention services that would allow Indigenous children to stay with their families with the support they need;
Having policies, procedures, and practices that force child welfare agencies to disproportionately take Indigenous children away from their families, communities, and cultures;
Operating a wholly deficient and negligent child and family service system in Nunavik; and
Failing to provide essential services to Inuit children living in Nunavik.

Collectively, this discrimination perpetuates the cultural genocide of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop.

Sotos Class Actions is prosecuting this case before the Superior Court of Québec in collaboration with Kugler Kandestin LLP and Coupal Chauvelot s.a. in Montreal. The Superior Court of Québec will decide at a later date if the case will proceed as a class action.

Updates