Former residents of the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia, and two other institutions, have until Sunday to file claims for compensation under settlements reached a year ago in two class-action suits.
The people eligible were at one point living at the Huronia Regional Centre, the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls, or the Southwestern Regional Centre near Chatham.
The lawsuits stemmed after abuse and neglect by residents while living at the centres, all of which closed down between 2008 and 2009.
In the Huronia case, a $35 million settlement was reached in 2013; a $32.7-million settlement in the Rideau and Southwestern suit was also reached.
"These cases concern abuse that happened decades ago when many of the former residents were children and young adults," said Kirk Baert, who represents the plaintiffs. "I am happy that we are approaching a final resolution of these cases and that the former residents will be able to receive what is long overdue compensation."
The province has been forced to release more than 65,000 documents about operations, which the residents can use in their case for compensation.
The lawsuits say many suffered both psychical and sexual abuse at the overcrowded and understaffed prison-like institutions.
With files from the Canadian Press.
