Ottawa Signs $27M Proposed Settlement With Former Students of Saskatchewan Residential School

The snow-covered Confederation building is seen in Ottawa on March 10, 2025. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

The federal government says it has signed a proposed financial settlement with former students of a Saskatchewan residential school that could see each student receive up to $15,000.

The agreement follows a long-running class action lawsuit and could see Ottawa pay out more than $27 million to former students. The Île-à-la-Crosse School operated from the 1860s until the 1970s and had approximately 1,500 students; predominantly Métis children from across northern Saskatchewan.

The agreement is separate from one made by the provincial government. Premier Scott Moe said in September 2025 the province had reached an agreement in principle to pay $40.2 million in restitution to former students of Île-à-la-Crosse.

Under terms of the settlement with the federal government, those who attended the school for less than five years could receive up to $10,000, while those who attended for five years or more could receive up to $15,000, according to a Jan. 30 news release. The class action is open to students who attended only during the day and those who boarded at the facility.

The federal government said an independent party would be appointed by the court to administer the funds and determine the compensation for each former student.

Ottawa also agreed to pay an additional $10 million for “healing, wellness, protection of languages, education, and commemoration for former students.”

A non-profit organization will be set up to review funding applications and it will also set the criteria for eligibility, the release said.

The agreement is subject to review and approval by the courts, which is expected to happen in March. Former students will be able to review the settlement and give their comments to the court.

Once the settlement is approved, former students can make claims to the independent third party administrator.

Ottawa said the court will also consider the agreement reached between the province and former students during the March hearing.

The government said it would “work to make sure” former students and their families are made aware of how to participate in the settlement process.