A Quebec Superior Court judge has approved a $31.5-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec, which will be paid out to victims of sexual abuse by staff dating back to 1940. Around 200 people have already joined the class action, and other victims have 90 days to submit a claim outlining their alleged abuse and its impact on their lives. The settlement is led by representative plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc, who were sexually assaulted by parish priests in the 1950s and 1960s. As part of the agreement, the defendants will also cover costs associated with administering the claims process.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-16,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Archdiocese of Quebec has been ordered to pay out $31.5 million to victims of sexual abuse by staff dating back to 1940, after a judge approved a class-action lawsuit settlement. Quebec Superior Court Justice Danye Daigle made the decision, ending years of legal action for claimants who were abused by members of the Archdiocese. Two representative plaintiffs, Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc, who were both sexually assaulted by parish priests in their teenage years, led the lawsuit. The settlement will be financed by the Archdiocese, as well as three other organizations: the Séminaire de Québec, Collège François-de-Laval (formerly known as the Petit Séminaire de Québec), and the Mutual Insurance of Quebec Fabriques. 19 claims have been made, with 3 being uncertain, under the settlement. This historic settlement is a significant step towards providing justice to victims of abuse, who have waited decades for their stories to be heard.
Written for “Sex Abuse Settlement Reaches” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
No quote from the article could be verified for this score. The
model gave a number without evidence that survives checking, so
there is nothing here for you to read against the original.
Leaning score -0.20 for article 814 (low confidence, 0 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-26
Archdiocese of Quebec to pay out $31.5M to sexual abuse victims after judge approves settlement
Lawsuit covers people who say they were sexually abused by staff dating back to 1940
A Quebec Superior Court judge has approved a historic $31.5-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec.
asserted
judge → pay → Quebec
The deal ends years of legal action for claimants who said they were sexually assaulted by members of the Archdiocese since 1940.
asserted
they → end → 1940
Quebec Superior Court Justice Danye Daigle approved the settlement earlier this week, led by representative plaintiffs Gaétan Bégin and Pierre Bolduc.
asserted
Daigle → approve → plaintiffs
Both men have said they were sexually assaulted by parish priests starting in the 1950s and 1960s when they were aged 14 and 12 respectively.
asserted
they → say → 1950s
Daigle heard emotional testimony from victims during a public hearing in July, to determine whether the out-of-court agreement and the requested fees, were in the best interests of the class members.
asserted
agreement → hear → members
After the hearing, Bégin described it as a historic day.
asserted
Bégin → describe → day
Now 86, Bégin said the boy whose life was was robbed, is still with him every day.
asserted
life → say → him
But he said the worst isn't so much what happened to him, but the suffering he says he unwittingly inflicted on his family.
asserted
he → say → family
"The collateral damage is indescribable," Bégin said.
asserted
Bégin → say → ?
Around 200 people have already joined the class action.
asserted
people → join → action
The Dufresne Wee law firm says other victims have 90 days to to submit a claim outlining the alleged abuse and its impact on their lives.
uncertain
victims → say → lives
Lawyer Justin Wee has said the $31.5 million settlement is one of the biggest against a diocese in Quebec.
asserted
settlement → say → Quebec
The compensation fund will be financed by the Archdiocese of Quebec, the Séminaire de Québec, Collège François-de-Laval — formerly known as the Petit Séminaire de Québec — and the Mutual Insurance of Quebec Fabriques.
asserted
fund → finance → Fabriques
In addition to the $31.5-million compensation fund, the defendants have agreed to cover the costs associated with administering the claims process, including adjudicators’ fees and expenses such as obtaining medical records and expert opinions when necessary.
uncertain
defendants → agree → records
The amount each person receives will be determined by two retired judges appointed to assess the claims.
uncertain
person → receive → claims
Victims will also receive a written apology form the Archdiocese of Quebec.
asserted
Victims → receive → Quebec
In an online statement, Diocesan officials welcomed the news, saying they hope this next phase of reparation will help victims "continue their journey toward peace and healing.
asserted
victims → welcome → peace
"
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
asserted
you → ’re → 911
For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.
asserted
you → look → database
