This is a proposed class action. It has not been authorized, and no claims can be filed.
Maple Syrup Mislabelling Proposed Class Action
Reviewed by Marty Mikhail, lawyer licensed by the Law Society of OntarioLast verified How we verify
What this lawsuit alleges
The lawsuit alleges that 9227-8712 Québec inc., a maple syrup producer operating in Quebec, sold cans of maple syrup labelled as "pure" and "from Quebec" that were actually diluted with cane sugar or sourced in whole or in part from outside Quebec. It also alleges that grocery companies Metro Inc., Sobeys Group Inc., Groupe Épicia Inc. and Loblaw Companies Limited distributed or sold this syrup in their stores. The plaintiff seeks cancellation of the sales, refunds, compensatory damages and punitive damages. These are allegations only, and nothing has been proved in court.
Who the proposed class would include
The lawsuit proposes a class of all persons in Canada who, since October 5, 2010, purchased a can of maple syrup produced by 9227-8712 Québec inc., including those who purchased such a can in an establishment operated by Metro inc., Sobeys Group inc., Groupe Épicia Inc. or Loblaw Companies Limited. This definition could change before the court decides whether to authorize the case.
Do I need to do anything right now?
Generally, no. A claims process opens only once a class action is certified and a settlement is approved. Class members are usually included automatically unless they opt out at that stage.
Follow this case
Leave your email and a short note goes out when something major happens in this case: the authorization decision, a settlement, or the end of the proceeding, and a notice if a claims process ever opens. Nothing else.
What happens next
- Filed (completed)
- Authorization
- Resolution
- Claims process
The next step is an authorization hearing, where the Superior Court of Québec will decide whether the case may proceed as a class action. Authorization decides only whether the lawsuit can go forward on behalf of the proposed class; it does not decide who wins. Timelines are uncertain and class actions often take years to resolve. No claims process exists at this stage, and one may never open.
Case background
Read more
This proposed class action concerns cans of maple syrup produced by 9227-8712 Québec inc., a producer in the Montérégie region of Quebec that does business under names including Érablière Steve Bourdeau, Le sirop Angela and L'Érabeille. The lawsuit alleges that the syrup was labelled and sold as "pure" maple syrup and as a product "from Quebec", but that testing reported in a Radio-Canada Enquête investigation and by the ACER research centre suggests the syrup was mixed with cane sugar or came in whole or in large part from outside Quebec. The claim says buyers relied on the labels and would not have bought the cans, or would not have paid the same price, had they known. The application was filed in the Superior Court of Québec against the producer and against Metro Inc., Sobeys Group Inc., Groupe Épicia Inc. and Loblaw Companies Limited, grocery companies that are alleged to have distributed or sold the syrup in their stores. The plaintiff, a Quebec resident who says she bought several of the cans, asks the court to authorize a Canada-wide class action seeking refunds of the purchase price, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and an order stopping the producer from selling syrup labelled "pure", "Grade A" or "from Quebec". None of the allegations has been tested or proved in court.
The proceedings
The proposed class action is based on an application for authorization filed in the Superior Court of Québec, district of Montréal, later amended.
Maude Fraser-Jodoin c. 9227-8712 Québec inc., Metro Inc., Sobeys Group Inc., Groupe Épicia Inc. et Loblaw Companies Limited
Authorization pendingSuperior Court of Québec (Cour supérieure du Québec) · 500-06-000018-263
Who filed the lawsuit
- Slater Vecchio LLP
Common questions
Do I need to do anything right now?
No. There is nothing you need to do at this stage. If the court authorizes the class action, notices will explain any steps class members may need to take, but it could help to keep receipts or other proof of your maple syrup purchases in case they are needed later.
Is there any money available to claim now?
No. This is a proposed class action, and no settlement or judgment exists. Money could become available only if the case is authorized and later succeeds or settles, none of which is certain.
What has to happen before a claims process could open?
The Superior Court of Québec must first decide whether to authorize the case as a class action. Even if it is authorized, the case would then have to be won at trial or settled, and any settlement would need court approval, before any claims process could open.
When might this case resolve?
There is no set timeline. Class actions often take years to move through authorization, trial or settlement, and it is possible the case will not succeed at all.
How can I stay informed about the case?
Quebec class actions are entered in the national class action registry, and the plaintiff is represented by the law firm Slater Vecchio, which can be contacted about the case. If the case is authorized, the court will order notices to be published for class members.
Source documents
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This action is proposed. Because it has not been authorized, it is not yet officially a class action, and no claims can be filed. I'm following this proceeding and will add it to the class action tracker if a claims process opens.