NEWS RELEASE: From the Office of the Premier John Horgan

On March 31, 2018 Premier John Horgan announced that there will finally be justice for the former residents of Woodlands. Woodlands was an institution in New Westminster in operation from 1878 until 1996 which provided care for children and adults with developmental disabilities, along with mental illness.

In 2002, former provincial ombudsperson, Dulcie McCallum, determined that the residents suffered widespread abuse sexually, physically, and psychologically. Unfortunately, the Province sought out a ruling at the B.C. Court of Appeal to exclude residents who lived at Woodlands prior to August 1, 1974 from any settlement.

David Klein of Klein Lawyers, and Minister Adrian Dix began working on gaining justice for the excluded residents in 2006. Their work paid off and the B.C Government announced on March 31, 2018 that the residents who were previously denied compensation will receive $10,000.00 in an ex-gratia payment. It is expected that the settlements will be paid out by March 31, 2019.

The BC Government asks that any former residents or their residents/caregivers to contact them prior to February 28, 2019 to apply for payment via one of the following methods:

Call Toll Free 1-888-523-7192 or Email: woodlands.care.facility.residents@gov.bc.ca

They are also asked to provide the following:
Full Name
Date of Birth
Address and
Name and address of their legal representative or guardian, if they have one