Fund on target

The Anglican Church of Canada has collected about $18.6 million from its national office and 30 dioceses to cover potential damages sought by former students of the now-defunct Indian residential schools. As of April 12, 2006, $8.6 million had been paid out from the residential schools settlement fund to claimants who proved they had been physically or sexually abused in the school system.Under an agreement with the federal government reached in 2003, the church’s liability concerning the schools is capped at $25 million. Recently, the accord was revised to reflect a more-favourable agreement reached in 2005 between Ottawa and the Roman Catholic church and Anglican officials have said their church’s liability would likely be reduced to less than $16 million. However, the earlier agreement remains in place until the revision is approved by the federal cabinet and seven Canadian courts. It is likely to become effective in late 2006 or early 2007.