Former residents of 12 Ontario institutions for people with developmental disabilities have won a $36-million class-action settlement against the province.
And one of those institutions was located here in Thunder Bay.
The Northwestern Regional Centre operated from 1974 until 1994 at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital.
At that time, it was known as the Mental Retardation Unit, and housed up to 300 people.
The Superior Court of Justice has approved a tentative settlement to compensate people who suffered harm while living at the 12 facilities.
The law firm handling the class action suit says the residents were emotionally, physically and psychologically traumatized by their experiences.
It's unclear how many people could sign on for the settlement.
Former residents have up to four months to ask for a copy of their personal files from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and will be informed on how to apply for compensation.
(TBT News)
