The proposed settlement is not yet approved. The Court will be asked to approve the proposed settlement at the Settlement Approval Hearing.
Claims
Information to help you submit your Claim Form. You can submit a Claim now, but payments will not be made unless the Court approves the proposed settlement.
Who can submit a Claim?
Compensation may be available to people who were the subject of a Birth Alert in British Columbia between May 31, 1980 and May 8, 2026.
A Birth Alert was a communication sent by a child welfare worker from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and in some cases delegated Indigenous agencies, to a hospital before a baby was born. The communication stated or implied that a person was pregnant and expressed concern that the child might need protection after birth.
The proposed settlement addresses the Birth Alert itself. It does not address interactions with MCFD or child welfare authorities after the baby was born.
You may be included even if:
- you were never told a Birth Alert was issued
- your child was not taken into care
- you no longer live in British Columbia
- you do not have records or documents
Step by step
Guides and support to help you complete and submit your Claim Form.
Step 1: Access a Claim Form
There is one Claim Form to submit. The fastest way to submit your Claim is to complete the form online. You can also download a copy. If you need a Claim Form mailed to you, call a Claims Helper at 1-833-632-6557.
Step 2: Get help with a Claim Form
Claims Helpers are available at no cost to help you:
- Get a Claim Form
- Understand the questions
- Fill out the Form
- Find resources for getting identification
Step 3: Submit a Claim
When you are ready, you can submit your completed Claim Form in the way that works best for you.
Online
Many people choose the online option because it is the quickest and easiest way to submit a Claim. It is important to understand you need to have all your information ready to start and complete your online Claim in one session.
You can mail your completed Claim Form and copies of your identification documents (do not send originals) to:
P.O. Box 3355
London, ON N6A 4K3
Fax
You can fax your completed Claim Form and copies of your identification documents to the Claims Administrator at 1-604-259-2225
FAQs
Can I submit a Claim now?
Yes. Claims can be submitted now.
Payments will not be made unless the Court approves the proposed settlement.
Do I need to submit a Claim to receive compensation?
Yes, you must submit a complete Claim Form to be eligible for compensation.
Claims Helpers are available to help you understand the process and complete your Form.
What information is needed for a Claim?
The Claim Form asks for information needed to review whether you are eligible for the class action.
You do not need to know for certain that a Birth Alert was issued before asking questions or starting the process. Learn more about what’s needed.
Do I need proof that a Birth Alert was issued?
You do not need proof that a Birth Alert was issued about you. You may not know whether a Birth Alert was issued about you. Many people were never told.
The Claims Process includes your authorization for Class Counsel and the Administrator to review your hospital records to help determine whether there is evidence of a Birth Alert. You may be contacted if more information is needed.
Who reviews my Claim?
The Claims Administrator reviews Claims according to the rules set by the Court. The Claims Administrator is Verita.
Claims Helpers do not decide whether you are eligible and do not approve Claims.
How will hospital records be used?
With your authorization in the Claim Form, Class Counsel will request and review hospital records connected to the dates and hospitals listed in your Claim.
The purpose of reviewing these records is to help determine whether there is evidence that a Birth Alert was issued about you.
You are not required to obtain these records yourself before submitting a Claim. You may be contacted if more information is needed during the review process.
Do I need to provide my own medical or hospital records?
No. You are not required to provide your own medical or hospital records before submitting a Claim.
Instead, the Claim Form includes authorization that allows Class Counsel to request relevant hospital records directly from the hospitals you identify in your Claim.
Who decides whether a Claim is accepted?
The Claims Administrator reviews Claims according to Court-approved rules to make a decision on eligibility.
Can I update my contact information later?
Yes, it is important to keep your contact information current during the Claims Process. If your phone number, address, or email changes, please contact the Claims Helpers through the Info Line at 1-833-632-6557.
What happens if there is no record of a Birth Alert in my hospital records?
If there is no evidence of a Birth Alert in the hospital records, the Claims Administrator will inform you by mail or email. You will be given a chance to submit supplementary documentation.
Is there an appeal process if I do not agree with a decision about my Claim?
If you are told that your Claim was rejected, you have the option of requesting an appeal. Claims Helpers will be available to support you during this process.
Appeals must be in writing. You will have a maximum of five pages of text to describe the reason for the appeal. You are not permitted to submit documents that were not already provided to the Claims Administrator during the Claims Process.
What is the deadline to submit my Claim?
Further information on the Claims deadline will be available after the Court has reviewed the settlement and made its decision.
If you are thinking about submitting a Claim, it may help to begin gathering information and asking questions early, even if you are not ready to complete the form right away.
Why should I complete a Claim Form now if the Claims Process has not started yet? / Why is the Claim Form available now if the settlement has not been approved yet?
The Claim Form is available so people can take time to learn about the proposed settlement, gather information, ask questions, and receive support if they choose to.
Some people may need time to think about whether they want to participate or may prefer to complete the form at their own pace.
Making the Claim Form available early may help reduce pressure and give people more time to prepare.
Making the Claim Form available now will allow for a more efficient process for some people. Rather than wait until they find out the proposed settlement is approved, claimants can submit a Claim Form right away.
Can I make changes after I submit my Claim?
If you realize you made a mistake or need to update information after submission, contact a Claims Helper as soon as possible.
What happens after I submit my Claim?
Further information on the Claims Process will be available after the Court has reviewed the settlement and made its decision. The Settlement Approval Hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2026.
How long should I keep my confirmation number?
Keep your confirmation number until the Claims Process is complete.
You may be asked for it if you contact a Claims Helper about your Claim.
How can I check on the status of my Claim?
If you have questions after submitting your Claim, contact the Info Line at 1-833-632-6557 or email Info-BABC@BirthAlertsBC.ca.
Have your confirmation number available if possible.