Information on Residential School Claims Documents

If you are a residential school survivor who filed an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or Independent Assessment Process (IAP) claim for abuse committed at a residential school, please read this. It is about what will happen to the records of your claim, and decisions you need to make. You need to make your decision by September 19, 2027.

We want you to know about this program and to be able to make decisions about your records if you are ready to do so. We are sharing materials developed by the Independent Assessment Secretariat to help you. These include information on how to request your records and the forms required to request your records.

Other materials—such as a poster and brochure—are available from the My Records, My Choice website.

Background

In 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that your Alternative Dispute Resolution or Independent Assessment Process claim records are confidential and must be destroyed, unless you decide to keep them for yourself or transfer them to the archives at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). The NCTR is the permanent home for materials related to the residential schools system, including all statements, documents, and other materials gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Only you can make a decision about your ADR or IAP records; no one else in your family or community can.

What Records Are Involved?

This decision relates only to Alternative Dispute Resolution or Independent Assessment Process records. Any material or testimony that you gave to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been deposited in the archives of the NCTR.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution or Independent Assessment Process records in question are:

1. Your application
2. The transcript of your testimony
3. The recording of your testimony
4. The decision on your claim

These materials include your personal information, details of the abuse you suffered, and the calculation used to decide on compensation.

If you request a copy of these materials for yourself, you will receive all of this information. If you request a copy of your records for the NCTR, you will get to decide how much of your personal material is available to researchers. You have full control of how much information is made available.

How to Proceed

You need to make your decision by September 19, 2027. After that date, all remaining records will be destroyed.

You have four options regarding your Alternative Dispute Resolution or Independent Assessment Process records:

1. If you want your records destroyed, you do not have to do anything. Records will be destroyed beginning September 20, 2027.
2. f you want a copy of your records for yourself, you can download the Request Form below, fill it out, and submit it by email, mail or fax.
3. If you want a copy of your records sent to the NCTR, you can download the Consent Form below, fill it out and submit it by email, mail or fax.
4. If you want a copy of your records for yourself AND sent to the NCTR, you can download both the Request Form and the Consent Form below, fill them out, and submit them by email, mail, or fax.

Mailing Address:

Email: MyRecordsMyChoice@epiqglobal.ca

Fax: 1-888-842-1332

There are many things to consider in making your decision. These include whether you want your story to be part of the permanent historical record on residential schools. There are many other personal considerations as well.

We know that having to revisit your experience and make these decisions may be very difficult. We urge you to seek support in your community of faith and other places of healing. We pray that you will be able to make these decisions in a good way.