BackSeven months after the Premier’s historic apology to the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor survivors and their families in the BC legislature, the BC Ombudsperson is pleased to learn survivors of detention at New Denver in the 1950s are finally being compensated for government’s actions.
“I am encouraged that government is compensating these elderly British Columbians for what happened to them as children, as we recommended 25 years ago. This is a welcome development,” said BC Ombudsperson Jay Chalke. “While I am glad to see the funds being distributed, I am concerned with how poorly the government has communicated with New Denver survivors, their families and descendants in developing the compensation program. Government has been vague about who is eligible for compensation, the applicable criteria and the application process and deadlines – for no good reason.”
Following the Premier’s apology in the legislature earlier this year, community members called on the Premier to work with them to ensure fair compensation, and the Premier committed “to make this right.” Unfortunately, it seems that the lack of a clear plan has resulted in inconsistent and unclear communication with survivors and descendants. On many occasions, survivors and descendants have sought information from the Ombudsperson about government’s plans as they had been unable to obtain answers from government.
“Given the solemn apology in the legislature by the Premier and the subsequent commitment to make things right, I am very surprised government’s follow-up communications fell so short,” said Chalke. “I am disappointed that government has made decisions without adequately consulting with the community and has not shared information about its decisions in a clear and accessible way. What makes this especially surprising is that government is well-versed in communicating compensation programs arising from events that occurred many years ago. For example, contrast this with government’s much clearer approach in its 2018 compensation program for pre-1974 residents of Woodlands.”
The funds earmarked for survivors and their descendants are being paid through a contract with the Red Cross. Media reports have indicated that survivors received between $10,000 and $18,000 in compensation. In response to the Ombudsperson’s questions about the reported difference in amounts, government has confirmed that all living survivors who were unjustly taken to New Denver will receive $18,000. The institution expects government to provide an additional payment to any survivors who received less.
Further complicating matters, government has not provided clear information to survivors or descendants about any financial consequences of receiving this money. Many survivors are living on a fixed income, and government must ensure that accepting compensation does not have negative financial impacts on means-tested government programs. This is important to ensure that the compensation is not clawed back, for example, through reduced seniors benefits or increased long-term care fees. Government told us that the Red Cross is facilitating access to free tax services for survivors, but this is not sufficient.
The institution also expected that in its work to “make this right,” government would reconsider the allocation of funding within the $10 million “recognition package” to ensure adequate compensation for survivors and descendants. They are disappointed that government has not committed to doing so. As it stands, nearly two-thirds of the $10 million will go to purposes other than individual compensation.
Government advised the office that over the coming weeks, it will continue to contact survivors and descendants about their eligibility for compensation. “Government can do better,” said Chalke. “I call on government to develop and share, with the community, its plan for contacting all survivors and descendants, providing timely, accurate information about government’s compensation program and responding to their questions.”
The ombudsman institution will be closely monitoring the next steps in this process and will continue to report publicly as required.
Source: The British Columbia Ombudsperson, Canada
