In January 2021, the Manitoba government announced a 3-year plan to transition all residents at the MDC to alternative supported living arrangements in the community by March 31, 2024. This page is dedicated to the history of the closing of the Manitoba Developmental Centre, the steps towards its closure and the transition into the community for its current residents. You can also find on this page information about the class action lawsuit against the province of Manitoba regarding the Manitoba Developmental Centre and the claims process. Media resources regarding the MDC and de-institutionalization can be found in our resources under the media and publications headings.
This winter, the Province of Manitoba marked the end of an era for the institutionalization of people with intellectual disabilities.On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the province acknowledged the closure of the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage la Prairie with a ceremony at the provincial legislature building. In attendance were former residents of the centre, along with family members and supporters.
“I offer my most sincere and heartfelt apology to all former residents of the Manitoba Developmental Centre and their families. I am profoundly sorry for the harms that you experienced, for the loss that families endured, and for government policies and practices that restricted you from living in community and with your family,” Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said at the ceremony.
A plaque was unveiled at the ceremony, which will be placed in the MDC Cemetery. The future of the MDC land and facility has not been determined.
In a press release marking the last person leaving MDC, Valerie Wolbert, the President of People First of Manitoba and Treasurer of People First of Canada had this to say: “We have been fighting to get people out of MDC for decades and I’m very proud that we have reached our goal.
Minister of Families, Nahanni Fontaine; David Weremy and Sean Traverse (former residents of MDC) are shown here in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.
Click here to read more about the ceremony at the Manitoba Legislature.
Click here to watch a video of the ceremony and the unveiling of the commemorative plaque.
Click here to read the full press release about the closing of MDC, from the Deinstitutionalization Task Force.
In September 2006, Community Living Manitoba filed a formal complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission which stated that the Department of Families (Provincial Government) and the Public Trustee had systematically discriminated against persons living at the Manitoba Developmental Centre based on age and disability.
In November 2009 the Commission affirmed that these organizations failed to provide a coordinated effort to plan for the transitions of MDC residents to the community and create community placement resource.
In January of 2021 the government of Manitoba announced their 3-year transition plan for the closure of the Manitoba Developmental Centre. With a closure date of March 31, 2024.
In December of 2023 the government of Manitoba announced that the transition process would need to continue past the designated date of March 31, 2024, with an extension to the Fall of 2024. Community stakeholders and government are working together to transition all existing residents of the centre into homes in the community.
In October 2018, David Weremy of Winnipeg, Manitoba sought out legal counsel with the goal to start a class action lawsuit against the Government of Manitoba in regards to the Manitoba Developmental Centre and the abuse he and many others said to have endured in their time spent living there. MDC has been the residence for Manitobans labelled with an intellectual disability for over a century. Members of the class action suit say they were physically, sexually, and psychologically abused at MDC and that the Province of Manitoba had a responsibility to its residents, but failed to care for and protect the residents. This failure resulted in loss or injury, including psychological trauma, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
The Court has now approved the Settlement. If you or someone you know was a resident at MDC, they may be eligible now to make a claim for compensation.
You can find more information about the MDC settlement at mdcclassactionsettlement.com
The Settlement is for “all persons who resided at MDC between July 1, 1951, and May 29, 2020, and were alive as of October 31, 2016″.
If you are wanting to submit a claim for compensation in the MDC Settlement, you will need to complete a claim form.
The claim forms can be found at: mdcclassactionsettlement.com
To claim compensation in the Settlement, you must submit your claim by June 27, 2024.
If you have questions about the class action lawsuit, you can contact the Claims Administrator at 1-844-306-0263 or info@mdcclassactionsettlement.ca
With the support of our donors, Community Living Manitoba continues to make a difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Together we are breaking down barriers and building the leadership of families, self-advocates and community supporters. This is only possible because of thoughtful contributions from people like you.
There are many ways in which you can get involved and help lend your support. We continue to change and adjust with emerging issues as resources allow.