Proposed settlement reached in class-action suit over abuse at Manitoba Developmental Centre

A proposed settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit that alleged abuse and neglect at the Manitoba Development Centre for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Manitoba government and a lawyer for the plaintiffs say the settlement must still be approved by the courts, and details cannot be released publicly at this time. 

Lawyer David Rosenfeld says the proposal is fair, reasonable and in the best interests of the members of the class-action suit.

The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by David Weremy, who lived at the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage la Prairie, about 85 kilometres west of Winnipeg, in the 1950s, '60s and '70s.  

The statement of claim sought $50 million and alleged staff beat residents, deprived them of food and allowed sexual assaults to occur between residents.

The Manitoba government denied the allegations in a statement of defence in 2019 and said the centre was run in accordance with the standards of care at the time.

In January 2021, the Manitoba government announced a three-year plan to transition all residents at the MDC to alternative supported living arrangements in the community by March 31, 2024.