Information Update on the Common Experience Payment

June 2010

• To date, more than 100,000 CEP applications have been received, of which over 95,000 have been processed.
  
  
• More than 76,000 applicants have been approved for payment, which represents 95% of the estimated number of eligible former students.
  
  
• More than $1.56 billion has been approved for payment to more than 76,000 applicants.
  
  
• Approximately 21,000 applications have been found ineligible for the following reasons:
  • school was not included in the list of recognized Indian Residential Schools under the Settlement Agreement;
  • student did not reside at a recognized Indian Residential School;
  • school was not operating during requested period
  • applicant passed away before May 30, 2005; or
  • student attended a day school
    
    
• To date, approximately 96% of Applications for Reconsideration and 53% of Appeals to the National Administration Committee have been processed.

Canada 's role in the Common Experience Payment process

• According to the Settlement Agreement, Canada is the trustee for the $1.9 billion set aside for the CEP and accountable to the parties of the Settlement Agreement and to the courts.
  
  
• All CEP applications are reviewed to ensure that those entitled to receive CEP are compensated.
  
  
• In each stage of the CEP process (initial application, reconsideration r appeal) and when necessary, INAC will contact applicants to gain clarification or additional information surrounding their residential school experience to help with the research assessment.
  
  
• The process accommodates the reality that some case records may be incomplete, and when information is ambiguous, or incomplete, interpretation favours the Applicant.
  
  
• Applications are not approved based on the applicant's declaration of residence alone.
  
  
• In all stages of the CEP process, the elderly (65+) and seriously-ill applicants receive priority.

Information for Applicants

• The deadline for applying for the CEP is September 19, 2011. If you know someone who attended an Indian Residential School, but has not yet applied for the CEP, please let them know of the deadline. Application forms or information can be found by contacting 1-866-879-4913 or on Service Canada's  website.
  
  
• If your address has changed since you applied for the CEP and you have not received correspondence since submitting your application, it is important that you advise the CEP Response Centre of this change by calling 1-866-565-4526. With your permission, they will also ensure the change is noted at Service Canada.

Applicants can call 1-866-565-4526 for updates on their applications or visit the website for more information regarding the CEP process.

Reconsideration Process
Where an application is denied in full or in part, the Applicant is advised of the reasons and may seek reconsideration. The Applicant may provide additional information that relates to his or her claim, including: photographs, other documentary evidence of a connection with the school, or affidavit evidence.

If you do not apply for the Reconsideration Process, you will not be able to appeal your assessment any further.

Appeal Process
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Reconsideration Process, you can appeal to the National Administration Committee (NAC), a committee of 7 members made up of one representative from each party to the Settlement Agreement. After reviewing your appeal, the NAC will ake a decision and send it to the Appeal Administrator, along with the reasons or the decision. Applicants can get information about the status of their appeal by calling 1-866-879-4916.

Additional Information

• Application Forms