Tories approve res-school deal

The Conservative government has approved a $2.2 billion deal to compensate about 87,000 aboriginal survivors of residential schools, with early payments to the elderly of $8,000, starting on May 30.

Jim Prentice, the minister of Indian affairs and northern development, announced his cabinet’s approval of the deal last week in the House of Commons.

“We hope that this settlement agreement will bring closure to this unfortunate chapter in our history and help us move forward in a new spirit of partnership with aboriginal Canadians,” Prentice said.

At least 4,000 Inuit are likely eligible for compensation.

The next step is for courts in nine jurisdictions to accept the deal. After that, Inuit organizations will provide information about how people may apply for compensation.