Two years after the apology – Fairness in implementation still matters

From Ombudsperson Sandy Hermiston

Two years ago, the Premier of British Columbia apologized for the Province’s role in the confinement of Sons of Freedom Doukhobor children in New Denver the 1950s.

The Province acknowledged that children were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to conditions that caused lasting harm. The apology included a commitment to making this right.

An apology is significant. For those directly affected – and for their families – what follows matters just as much.

Over the past two years, government has introduced compensation payments and established funds intended to support healing, research, and legacy initiatives. Our office continues to hear from both living survivors and family members about how those commitments are being implemented.

Many of the concerns raised with us relate to how these commitments are being carried out, including:

A lack of clarity about eligibility criteria and how compensation amounts were determined
Short timelines for people to submit supporting information confirming that they, or a family member, were detained as children
Limited information about what happens if government records are incomplete, and how community knowledge or oral history is considered
Delays and gaps in communication after forms are submitted
Ongoing uncertainty about how legacy and research funds will be governed and how survivors’ and descendants’ voices will shape those decisions

To receive compensation, individuals have been required to complete a formal declaration confirming that they, or a family member, were detained as children. For some families, government records are incomplete or unavailable. Where documentation is limited, it is especially important that government clearly explain how evidence will be assessed and ensure decisions are fair, consistent, and transparent.

For many survivors and families, prolonged uncertainty and inconsistent communication can reopen painful wounds. Where government is responding to historical harm, implementation must be careful, compassionate, and grounded in fairness.

The 2024 apology signalled a commitment to address this history with clarity and care. Our role is to assess whether government processes reflect that commitment in practice.

We are reviewing the concerns brought to us and are communicating directly with government where fairness issues arise. We will continue to monitor developments and consider where further action from our office is required.

For background on our previous public statements, please visit:

To those affected by these events: apologies and announcements are only part of the journey. Fair and transparent implementation is essential to rebuilding trust.