Manitoba pays $4M settlement to three men wrongfully convicted of 1973 murder

Allan Woodhouse (left) and Brian Anderson pose for a photo outside of the Manitoba law courts on July 18, 2023. The pair, who were originally convicted of killing a restaurant worker in Winnipeg in 1973, were acquitted after a new trial was ordered the previous month. (Image source: Jon Hendricks/CTV News Winnipeg)

Three men who were wrongfully convicted in a 1973 murder of a Winnipeg restaurant worker have received a settlement from the Manitoba government.

A statement posted in the province’s financial disclosure shows the province has paid $4 million to Brian Anderson, Allan Woodhouse and Clarence Woodhouse, who were initially convicted in the 1973 murder of Ting Fong Chan. In 2023 and 2024, the convictions of the three men were vacated and they were acquitted after the federal justice minister ordered new trials.

The three were exonerated after a review of the cases found system discrimination and coerced confessions played a role in their convictions.

The trio sued all three levels of government after having their convictions for murder overturned.

A spokesperson for the city told CTV News that they’ve already reached a settlement, but was unable to share the terms.

A spokesperson for Canada’s justice department also confirmed they had reached a settlement, but would not comment on the specifics, citing confidentiality.

CTV News has reached out to the province for comment, and is awaiting a response.