At least one of these class actions has been certified, but there is no settlement and no claims process yet. The proceedings section shows where each one stands.
Talc Baby Powder Class Action
Reviewed by Marty Mikhail, lawyer licensed by the Law Society of OntarioLast verified How we verify
What these lawsuits allege
The lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson and related companies sold talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder without adequately warning users about potential health risks. The claims say that using the powder in the perineal (genital) area over a prolonged period increased users' chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer. The plaintiffs allege negligence, including failure to warn and negligent testing, design and manufacturing, along with breaches of consumer protection laws and the federal Competition Act, and they seek damages. None of these allegations has been proved in court.
Who the class includes
The British Columbia court certified the case as a multi-jurisdictional class action for persons in Canada, other than Quebec residents, who used Johnson's Baby Powder in the perineal (genital) region and were later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, with a class period ending September 23, 2024. A separate Quebec proceeding was authorized in 2018 for Quebec residents. The Ontario court certified its action in March 2026 for a broader class: all persons resident in Canada, including Quebec, who purchased or used Johnson's Baby Powder perineally, with a subclass for those later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, and a family subclass. The Ontario class definition is set out in the court's certification decisions of June 2025 and March 2026. Johnson & Johnson is appealing the Ontario certification decision, so the class definition could change.
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 certification 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)
- Certification (completed)
- Resolution
- Claims process
Courts in British Columbia and Ontario have certified these cases as class actions, which means they may move forward toward trial or another resolution on behalf of the class. Certification decides only that the case can proceed as a class action; it does not decide whether the allegations are true. The court materials also mention proceedings in Quebec (authorized but apparently dormant) and Alberta (dormant). There is no settlement and no claims process yet, and timelines are uncertain and often run years. According to class counsel, Johnson & Johnson is appealing the Ontario certification decision. No notice of certification or opt-out period has been announced.
Case background
Read more
These class actions concern talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder. The lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson and related companies marketed the powder without adequate warnings, and that using it in the perineal (genital) area increased users' chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer. The claims allege negligence, including failure to warn, and breaches of provincial consumer protection laws and the federal Competition Act. Cases were filed in more than one province over the same alleged conduct. The Supreme Court of British Columbia certified its case as a multi-jurisdictional class action in September 2024, excluding Quebec residents, and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified its case in March 2026. The two certified classes differ in scope. The Ontario class is broader: it includes Quebec residents and does not require a cancer diagnosis or a minimum period of use. The BC class is limited to people diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer after long-term use. The court materials also refer to a Quebec case authorized in 2018 and an Alberta case filed in 2019; the Ontario court noted in March 2026 that neither appeared to have advanced. Certification means only that the cases may proceed as class actions. None of the allegations has been proved, and there is nothing to file at this stage.
The proceedings
The court filings behind the proposed class actions.
British Columbia
Ennis v. Johnson & Johnson
CertifiedSupreme Court of British Columbia · S179011
Filed
Certified
Class counsel: Merchant Law Group LLP
Ontario
Strathdee v. Johnson & Johnson Inc.
CertifiedOntario Superior Court of Justice · CV-16-00553046-00CP
Filed
Certified
Class counsel: Rochon Genova LLP, Howie Sacks & Henry LLP
Class counsel
- Rochon Genova LLP
- Howie Sacks & Henry LLP
- Merchant Law Group LLP
Common questions
Do I need to do anything right now?
Usually no. The cases have been certified as class actions but there is no settlement and no claims process, so there is nothing to sign up for or claim at this stage.
Is there any money available now?
No. Certification only allows the cases to proceed as class actions; it does not decide whether the allegations are true or provide any compensation. Money could become available only if the plaintiffs win at trial or if a settlement is later reached and approved.
Who might be included in the class?
It depends on the proceeding. The Ontario class, certified in March 2026, includes all persons resident in Canada who purchased Johnson's Baby Powder for female perineal use or used it on the female perineum. It also has a subclass for those later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, and a family subclass for certain relatives. The British Columbia class is narrower: persons in Canada, other than Quebec residents, who used the powder perineally and were later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. The Ontario certification is under appeal, so the class definitions could change.
What has to happen before a claims process could open?
The certified cases would need to be resolved, either by a trial that the class wins or by a settlement that a court approves. Only then could a claims process be set up, and there is no certainty that will happen.
When might this case resolve?
It is impossible to say. Class actions of this kind often take years to resolve, and no timeline is stated in the court materials.
Source documents
Stay informed about future claims.
New class action claims open across Canada throughout the year. Join the monthly digest and you'll get a short list of new claims once a month. Free, and no account needed: a working email address is all it takes. Your email is never shared and you can unsubscribe with one click.
At least one of these actions has been certified or authorized, which makes it officially a class action, but there is no settlement and no claims can be filed. I'm following these proceedings and will add this case to the class action tracker if a claims process opens.