Canadians who made beef purchases post-2015 may qualify to receive a portion of almost $8 million as part of a proposed resolution with companies regarding accusations of price manipulation. Various Canadian legal firms disclosed that JBS USA Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., and JBS Canada ULC have consented to a payment of $7.49 million, with National Beef agreeing to pay $495,000. The settlement, which remains subject to court approval and does not imply any admission of guilt by the companies, has set a hearing for settlement approval for members in all provinces except Quebec on September 10, while the Quebec hearing is scheduled for December 1 of this year.
In 2022, a class-action lawsuit was initiated alleging that beef-selling companies participated in an illicit scheme involving the supply or pricing of beef in Canada. Noteworthy legal teams, including CFM Lawyers LLP in B.C., Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP in Ontario, and Belleau Lapointe LLP in Quebec, proposed the settlement, excluding beef products and purchases by the food service sector like restaurants.
The settlement does not encompass beef items and beef procurements by the food industry, such as restaurants. The law firms stated that class actions are ongoing against specific defendants from Cargill and Tyson companies. Eligible Canadians who wish to opt-out, a prerequisite if they intend to file their lawsuit, must do so by August 10.
This resolution concerning beef follows the commencement of payments to Canadians in May relating to a bread price-fixing class action against various companies. Loblaws and its parent corporation, George Weston Ltd., agreed in 2024 to pay $500 million to resolve the class action, allowing anyone who bought bread from 2001 to 2021 to apply for compensation.