A proposed class-action settlement of nearly $8 million has been announced in Canada, stemming from allegations of price manipulation involving beef products. This settlement could potentially provide compensation to Canadian consumers, pending court approval.
The class action alleges that certain companies participated in an unlawful conspiracy to fix, maintain, control, or lessen the production or supply of beef and fix, raise, maintain, or stabilize the price of beef sold to purchasers in Canada, starting at least as early as January 1, 2015. The class action began in 2022 and was brought forward by several legal teams, including CFM Lawyers LLP and Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP in British Columbia, and Belleau Lapointe LLP in Québec.
The National Beef Packing Company, LLC, also known as "National Beef," has agreed to the settlement terms. JBS has agreed to pay $7,498,700 to class members, while National Beef has agreed to pay $495,000. This means nearly $8 million could be distributed among eligible class members once legal fees and other related costs are deducted.
The settlement agreement defines "Class Members" as eligible customers who purchased fresh and frozen raw beef products for personal consumption or resale in Canada on or after January 1, 2015, and excludes certain purchases, including those made through the food service industry.
Under the settlement, the companies that agree to its terms would pay money to resolve the claims against them without admitting wrongdoing. The documents state that this represents "compromises of disputed claims." In other words, companies that agree to the settlement won’t have to go to court to dispute the claims, nor will the plaintiffs’ legal teams be required to submit evidence to support their allegations of price-fixing.
Canadians who want to opt out of the class action have until August 10, 2026, to do so. The first approval hearing will take place in a British Columbia court on September 10, 2026, covering British Columbia and all Canadian class members other than those in Québec. The Québec approval hearing will take place separately on December 1, 2026.
If the courts approve the settlements, details on when and how the money will be distributed among qualifying Canadians will be made public.