Canada strikes deal on church abuse

Montreal, Canada - The Canadian Government has agreed a deal with the Anglican Church of Canada, to share the costs of thousands of law suits brought by native Canadians who were abused in residential schools during the 20th Century.

The government will pay 70% of the costs, leaving the Anglican Church to find up to $16m.

The government owns the schools but they were run by four Christian churches.

It is the first such deal between the government and the church.

Read the article at BBC News dated Wednesday, 20 November, 2002, 22:45 GMT