Close X
Sunday, March 2, 2025
ADVT 
National

Ottawa sues law firm for alleged legal fee fraud in residential schools case

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jan, 2015 02:49 PM

    REGINA — The federal government is suing a Saskatchewan law firm, alleging lawyers fraudulently over billed for their work with victims of Indian residential schools.

    In a statement of claim not yet proven in court, the government says an audit shows the Merchant Law Group claimed tens of millions of dollars in work time entries that were inflated, duplicated or made up.

    The suit says some individual lawyers even billed for more than 24 hours of work in a single day.

    The firm says in a statement that the allegations are groundless and the government is avoiding paying its bill.

    The Regina-based law group was one of several that was to receive legal fees after a $5-billion settlement between Ottawa and residential school survivors in 2005.

    The firm originally claimed $80 million in fees and the courts ordered the government to pay $25 million until the cost could be verified.

    The firm also filed a lawsuit this week demanding the government pay what it owes.

    It says the verification process shows the firm should get $15 million on top of the $25 million it previously received.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Bombardier selling military training unit to CAE, including NATO pilot school

    Bombardier selling military training unit to CAE, including NATO pilot school
    MONTREAL — Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B) has signed a deal to sell its military aviation training business for C$19.8 million to CAE Inc. (TSX:CAE).

    Bombardier selling military training unit to CAE, including NATO pilot school

    4.8-magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Haida Gwaii; No Tsunami Expected

    4.8-magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Haida Gwaii; No Tsunami Expected
    HAIDA GWAII, B.C. — A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Haida Gwaii, B.C., on Sunday afternoon. There have been no reports of damage and a tsunami is not expected.

    4.8-magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Haida Gwaii; No Tsunami Expected

    Government's Re-tooled Anti-Terror Law To Be Introduced Friday, Says Stephen Harper

    Government's Re-tooled Anti-Terror Law To Be Introduced Friday, Says Stephen Harper
    OTTAWA — The Conservative government's overhaul of anti-terrorism legislation will be introduced by the end of week and will make it crime to promote terrorism, Stephen Harper told party faithful on Sunday.

    Government's Re-tooled Anti-Terror Law To Be Introduced Friday, Says Stephen Harper

    Obama Visit: Barack-Modi Chemistry On Display; India, US Achieve Breakthrough In Civil Nuclear Deal

    Obama Visit: Barack-Modi Chemistry On Display; India, US Achieve Breakthrough In Civil Nuclear Deal
    India and the US Sunday announced the much-anticipated breakthrough agreement on commercial implementation of their landmark civil nuclear deal, six years after it was signed, and also entered a new strategic phase of co-production of some defence projects, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting US President Barack Obama held talks marked by much warmth and camaraderie.

    Obama Visit: Barack-Modi Chemistry On Display; India, US Achieve Breakthrough In Civil Nuclear Deal

    Federal Parties Struggle To Stay On Top Of Offensive Facebook Comments

    Federal Parties Struggle To Stay On Top Of Offensive Facebook Comments
    OTTAWA — The recent terror attacks in Paris have unleashed a barrage of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant comments on the Facebook pages of federal politicians and their parties in Canada — much of it plainly visible to the public.

    Federal Parties Struggle To Stay On Top Of Offensive Facebook Comments

    Moncton RCMP Search For Suspicious Man Reportedly Carrying Firearm

    Moncton RCMP Search For Suspicious Man Reportedly Carrying Firearm
    MONCTON, N.B. — RCMP officers are searching a neighbourhood in Moncton, N.B., after receiving a report today of a suspicious male walking down a street with what appeared to be a firearm.

    Moncton RCMP Search For Suspicious Man Reportedly Carrying Firearm