News

The Class Action Winds Up

On November 23, 2021, lawyers representing the LGBT Purge class members appeared in the Federal Court of Canada to obtain an order to wind up the class action. That order was granted on January 7, 2021 by Justice St-Louis.

Justice St. Louis ordered that the administration of the individual compensation claims process was terminated and that the Claims Administrator, Deloitte LLP, and the Claims Assessors, the Honourable Justice Marie Deschamps and Dr. Brunet, were discharged from their duties. In addition, the duties of Cambridge LLP, Koskie Minsky, McKiggan Hebert and IMK Advocates and the Representative Plaintiffs, Martine Roy, Todd Ross and Alida Satalic, [...]

The Ongoing Struggle to Access Historical Government Records

The LGBT Purge Fund continues to seek access to the full historical record of the LGBT Purge. We need these documents to tell the history of the LGBT Purge.

Many of the documents received so far have been eye-opening and startling. Here is one excerpt of a letter from the Minister of National Defence, Marcel Masse, to Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney, outlining the government’s calculated approach to Michelle Douglas’ historic lawsuit against the Canadian military, which challenged discriminatory policies against LGBT service members. In summer 1992, Masse wrote:

If we proceed to try the Douglas case, there will be [...]

Have your say on the LGBTQ2+ National Monument Proposals!

We are delighted to share the five finalist designs for the LGBTQ2+ National Monument. You’re invited to view these evocative concepts and provide your feedback, now until Nov 28th!

The LGBTQ2+ National Monument will tell the story of generations of all LGBTQ2+ people in Canada who have been persecuted, abused, dismissed and marginalized because of who they desire and how they identify. It will acknowledge discrimination experienced by LGBTQ2+ communities and the abuse perpetrated by the Canadian state, including during the LGBT Purge. While recognizing enduring injury and injustice, the LGBTQ2+ National Monument will educate, memorialize, celebrate and inspire. It will be guided [...]

Finalization of the LGBT Purge Class Action proceedings

On November 23, 2021 at 09:30 a.m., there will be a Federal Court of Canada hearing on matters relating to the LGBT Purge Class Action lawsuit (Todd Ross et al v. Her Majesty the Queen). Lawyers who represent the plaintiffs and the LGBT Purge Fund (Cambridge LLP) will be in court, as will lawyers representing the government. The class action proceedings are being finalized. Details of the proceedings will be sent to class members by their lawyers. It will be possible to watch the proceedings by Zoom link. You can register in advance at this link.

Advisory Council announced for CMHR exhibition on the LGBT Purge

We are delighted to share details of the Advisory Council, which has just been created to support a major project at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Co-chaired by delegates from the CMHR and the LGBT Purge Fund, the Council will guide the development of a major temporary exhibition due to open in 2024, a travelling exhibition, a long-term exhibit in the CMHR core galleries and programs and online content.

The members of the Advisory Council are:

Ex-officio: Michelle Douglas. LGBT Purge Fund Executive Director, Purge survivor, former Canadian Armed Forces officer. Ottawa. Co-chair: Douglas Elliott. LGBT Purge Fund board member, class action lead lawyer. Elliot [...]