Ontario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions
Reviewed by Marty Mikhail, lawyer licensed by the Law Society of OntarioLast verified How we verify
Status
Claims openEstimated Payout
$2,000 to $68,000 per claimant
Claim deadline
(42 days left)
See all 2 forms
- Claim Form
- Statute-Barred Claim FormThis form is for class members who experienced staffing-related lockdowns before August 2014 and were legally incapable of starting a lawsuit at that time.
Claim.ca does not recommend any specific form. Always verify which form applies to your situation against the official settlement notice and contact the claims administrator if you have questions.
About this claim
If you were held as an inmate or immigration detainee at an Ontario correctional institution between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017 and experienced 16 or more staffing-related lockdowns, you may be eligible for a cash payment of $2,000 to $68,000. You do not need to live in Ontario to file a claim. Eligibility is based on meeting the class definition, not on where you live today.
See the questions the eligibility checker asks
The checker asks these questions. Use the Check Eligibility button to answer them and see a result.
- Were you an inmate or an immigration detainee at an Ontario correctional institution?This covers people remanded, serving a sentence, imprisoned after violating parole, or detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Were you held there at any time between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017?
- Was your detention only at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, the Ontario Correctional Institute, or the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre?These three institutions are not covered by the settlement.
- Did you experience 16 or more staffing-related lockdowns?A staffing-related lockdown is when detainees are confined to their cells due to staff shortages.
- Did you stay in the class rather than previously opting out (excluding yourself) in writing?
Read more
Two class action lawsuits, Lapple and Dadzie, were brought against Ontario and Canada on behalf of inmates and immigration detainees held at Ontario correctional institutions. The lawsuits alleged that the governments improperly subjected these people to chronic lockdowns caused by staff shortages, which the lawsuits said were negligent and breached their Charter rights. The governments denied the allegations and the court did not decide who was right.
Instead, the parties agreed to a voluntary settlement, which the Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved on October 22, 2025. The settlement creates a $59 million fund to compensate class members who experienced 16 or more staffing-related lockdowns. Eligible people can submit a claim to receive a payment, with the deadline to claim being December 1, 2026.
How to Submit Your Claim
- Submit Onlinehttps://portal.ontjailstafflockdowns.ca/
- Submit by Email[email protected]
- Submit by MailOntario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions Administrator, c/o Deloitte LLP, PO Box 7545 STN Adelaide, Toronto, ON M5C 0C4
Claim Administrator
- Deloitte LLP
- Phone1-844-742-0825
- Email[email protected]
- Websitehttps://ontjailstafflockdowns.ca
- MailOntario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions Administrator c/o Deloitte LLP PO Box 7545 STN ADELAIDE Toronto, ON M5C 0C4
Settlement Notices
Remind me before this claim closes
Drop in your email and you'll get two reminders before the Ontario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions deadline of : one 30 days out, one 7 days out. That's it. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can I receive?
Compensation depends on how many staffing-related lockdowns you experienced and the type of award you qualify for. A Basic Recovery Award ranges from $2,000 to $28,000, a Differential Impact Award ranges from $3,000 to $15,000, and Serious Harm Awards are $20,000 (Level One) or $40,000 (Level Two). The maximum amount available under the Compensation Protocol is $68,000, and all awards may be reduced proportionally if total claims exceed the money available.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
You must submit your Claim Form on or before December 1, 2026. Late claims may be considered in limited circumstances if received within 45 days after that date with written reasons, but after January 15, 2027 it will be too late.
How do I file a claim?
You can complete and submit your claim online at portal.ontjailstafflockdowns.ca, or download or request a paper Claim Form and submit it by email or by mail. You do not need a lawyer to file.
Do I need to provide supporting documents?
If you are claiming Basic Recovery only or Basic Recovery plus a Differential Impact Award, you do not need to provide supporting documents. If you are claiming a Serious Harm Award, you must provide documents that support your claim, such as hospital records, medical records, or a letter from a health professional.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you do not submit a claim, you will not receive any money from the settlement, and unless you previously opted out, you will give up the right to sue the governments over staffing-related lockdowns during the covered period.
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