Disabled homes' abuse lawsuit certified

A class-action lawsuit by former residents of two institutions for developmentally disabled people in Ontario can go ahead.

The institutions are Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls and the Southwestern Regional Centre near Chatham.

The former residents claim they were physically and mentally abused.

They also allege unnecessary administration of medication took place from 1963 to a few years ago when the institutions closed.

A judge has already approved a similar $1-billion class action lawsuit against the provincial government on behalf of former residents of the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.