Class action lawsuit proposed on coerced sterilization in Alberta
OTTAWA — A proposed class action has been filed against the government of Alberta on behalf of Indigenous women who say they were subjected to forced sterilizations.
The lawsuit seeks $500 million in damages, plus an additional $50 million in punitive damages, and has been brought on behalf of all Indigenous women sterilized in Alberta without their prior and informed consent before Dec. 14 this year.
The statement of claim, filed on Tuesday, alleges Alberta — including senior officials and ministers— had specific knowledge of widespread coerced sterilizations perpetrated on Indigenous women.
It also alleges the government turned a blind eye to that conduct and breached its fiduciary responsibilities.