Government of British Columbia

B.C.'s use of “birth alerts” flagged expectant and new parents to child welfare authorities without their consent, sometimes leading to newborns being apprehended.

This proposed class action concerns British Columbia's use of “birth alerts,” a practice in which expectant or new parents were flagged to child welfare authorities without their knowledge or consent, sometimes leading to newborns being separated from their mothers. The practice disproportionately affected Indigenous families. The Province of British Columbia has reached a proposed $66 million settlement, which the Supreme Court of British Columbia will consider approving at a Settlement Approval Hearing on December 4, 2026. Eligible class members would receive a minimum of $2,000, with additional compensation for Indigenous class members.

• People who had a birth alert issued about them in British Columbia between May 31, 1980 and May 8, 2026.
• You may qualify even if you were never told that an alert was issued.
• Indigenous class members are eligible for additional compensation.