B.C. ombudsperson critiques Doukhobor compensation [Video]

British Columbia’s ombudsperson has a list of criticisms for the province over the way it has treated Doukhobor survivors months after the premier apologized for the government’s removal of the children from their families in the 1950s.

A statement from Jay Chalke says the government is being vague about who is eligible for promised compensation, and its communication is so inconsistent and unclear that survivors are coming to his office for help.

Hundreds of children whose parents were members of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor religious group were taken from their homes more than 70 years ago and sent to live in a former tuberculosis sanatorium in New Denver, B.C.

Chalke’s statement says given Eby’s “solemn apology” in the legislature, he’s surprised the province’s follow-up communication fell so short.

He says the government has confirmed that each survivor unjustly taken to New Denver will get $18,000 in compensation, which he …