Cheques begin rolling in for Woodlands survivors

Survivors excluded from a previous Woodlands settlement have finally started receiving their compensation payments for years of systemic abuse at the B.C. institution.

Individuals who lived at Woodlands before 1974 will now receive $10,000 in ex gratia payments, which means they are voluntarily paid out without admission of liability. Those who lived at Woodlands post-1974 and who received compensation as part of a 2010 settlement will also receive a top-up to a maximum of $10,000.

Bill McArthur, a former Woodlands resident and survivors’ advocate, received his payment on Monday from Minister of Health Adrian Dix.

“It’s been a bittersweet victory in that I’m very happy I was able to gain compensation for all the people who weren’t able to get it and to represent all those who have no voice,” said McArthur, who was sent to Woodlands at age five.

“But it’s been bittersweet in that I regret there are so many who have passed away in this long crusade for justice.”

McArthur said he was happy about Monday’s milestone but said “it should not have had to take so long.” The B.C. government first announced in March of this year that it would be paying out compensation to those excluded by the 2010 settlement. “I think it’s very important to acknowledge that a wrong was done,” McArthur said. “That there was wrongdoing against some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“I think it’s very important ... to give these people back some sense of dignity and self-respect and recognition.”

As of Monday, a total of 314 pre-1974 Woodlands survivors had been identified and contacted by officials. Dix estimates there are up to 1,500 survivors who have yet to be compensated and invited those people to come forward. The government estimates the compensation would total between $9 million and $15 million and expects payments to be complete by April 2019.

New Westminster’s Woodlands Institution was opened in 1878 and housed individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness. The facility was run by the Ministry of Health before being handed over to the Ministry of Human Resources in 1974.

The facility was closed in 1996.

I regret there are so many who have passed away in this long crusade for justice”

Bill McArthur