Class actions

Presentation
Representative work
Specialists

Presentation

Our clients can count on a team of talented lawyers with recognized expertise in class actions. Our team has acted in the context of several significant class actions, notably in the context of applications for authorization to institute class actions on behalf of national classes, and even global class. This also includes settling class actions that raise complex issues related to compensation for members or the scope of releases granted to the defendants.

Our attorneys provide unique strategic insight, gained through representation of Canadian and international clients in all industries – from manufacturers to financial institutions, from retailers to transportation companies – across the spectrum of class action proceedings, including:

Antitrust, competition and price fixing
Product liability
Securities law, misrepresentation and shareholder rights
Privacy law
Consumer protection law and misleading advertising
Insurance law
Professional negligence
Environmental law

Class action litigation can be expensive and time-consuming for defendants. Hence the importance of taking full advantage of opportunities that can lead to the early dismissal of the action, narrow the issues raised or limit the scope of the proceedings or the size of the class. Our strategic skills and understanding of the key issues allow us to do so effectively.

When a class action is authorized, we have the experience to skillfully guide clients through the next steps. Regardless of the path taken by the litigation, our team has the experience and judgment to find the best solutions.

Representative work

Hydro-Québec

Representation of Hydro-Québec in the context of a class action related to the setting of electricity rates by the Régie de l'énergie du Québec and the return rates generated by the state-owned company. This class action seeks the payment of a sum exceeding one billion dollars.
Representation of several Quebec and foreign technology companies

In the context of an application for authorization to institute a significant class action based on allegations of non-consensual dissemination of explicit images and videos on high-traffic websites. The application requests the authorization of a worldwide class of members and seeks the award of damages amounting to 600 million dollars.
Wal-Mart Canada Corp.

Representation of the retail giant in challenging the settlement of a class action instituted against Visa, Mastercard, and the banks and credit card issuing companies on behalf of retailers who were victims of the defendants’ anticompetitive practices.
GE Railcar Services Corporation

Representation of General Electric, the lessor of certain oil tank cars involved in the July 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic. in the context of the application for authorization to institute a class action on behalf of the victims of the derailment, as well as in the context of the proceedings for an arrangement with the creditors of Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co., which led to a comprehensive settlement of this dispute.
Global Fuels Inc.

Representation of a distributor of gasoline at the pump in class actions against a series of defendants over their alleged involvement in a gasoline price-fixing scheme in several regions of Quebec.
Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ)

Representation of the FMSQ in a class action launched by plaintiffs who alleged damages stemming from training days taken by medical specialists.
PolyOne Canada Inc.

Representation of one of the largest polymer manufacturers and distributors in the world in a class action alleging the release of environmental contaminants.
Kaba Ilco

Representation of a push-button lock manufacturer in a class action raising issues of product liability and false and misleading advertising under the Consumer Protection Act.
Hydro-Québec

Representation of Hydro-Québec in a class action by a group of non-unionized employees alleging the right to maintain pre-determined premiums for their group life insurance.
Canaccord Genuity

Representation of a large wealth-management firm in class actions launched by secondary market investors claiming $140 million on the basis of alleged market manipulation and insider trading.
HSBC Securities

Representation of a brokerage firm in a class action alleging market-timing practices in the management of mutual funds.
Tokai Rika Co.

Representation of a major Japanese company that manufactures automobile parts in class actions alleging violations of the Competition Act in the automobile parts manufacturing industry.