Pan-Canadian Claimants' Compensation Plan (PCC)
Reviewed by Marty Mikhail, lawyer licensed by the Law Society of OntarioLast verified How we verify
This settlement resolves 2 claims
Each claim in this program was resolved by the same settlement. Coverage can overlap, so you may be included in more than one. Review each one that may apply to you.
- Quebec Class Action Administration Plan (QCAP)Covers Quebec. Claim deadline:
- Pan-Canadian Claimants' Compensation Plan (PCC)Covers Canada-wide. Claim deadline: You are reading this one
Status
Claims openEstimated Payout
Up to $60,000 per person
Claim deadline
See all 5 forms
- Claim Form
- Physician FormThis Physician Form is completed by a licensed physician to verify a Tobacco Victim's diagnosis and diagnosis date when medical records are unclear or unavailable.
- Physician Form (Quebec)This Physician Form lets a licensed physician certify a Tobacco-Victim's diagnosis and date when medical records proving diagnosis cannot be found.
- Compensation Plan Authorization of Co-Executors (Outside Quebec)For a co executor, co trustee, co administrator, co attorney, co guardian, or co committee authorizing another co authority to act on a claim.
- Compensation Plan Authorization of Co-liquidator and Co-mandatary (Quebec)This form authorizes a co-liquidator or co-mandatary to act on behalf of a tobacco victim or their estate in a claim.
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 smoked at least 87,600 cigarettes sold by the Canadian tobacco companies between 1950 and 1998 and were diagnosed with lung cancer, throat cancer, or severe emphysema or COPD between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019, you may be eligible for $14,400 to $60,000 depending on your disease and when you started smoking.
See the questions the eligibility checker asks
The checker asks these questions. Use the Check Eligibility button to answer them and see a result.
- Do you currently reside in Canada (or, if you are claiming for someone who has died, did they reside in Canada at the time of their death)?
- Did you smoke at least 87,600 cigarettes (twelve pack-years) sold by the Canadian Tobacco Companies between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998?This equals any combination adding up to 87,600 cigarettes, for example 10 cigarettes a day for 24 years or 20 a day for 12 years, even with breaks in between.
- Were you diagnosed between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive) with primary lung cancer, primary throat cancer, or emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV)?
- Did you reside in a Canadian province or territory on the date of that diagnosis?Your place of residence is the province or territory that issued your health insurance card or driver's licence.
- Was the person who was diagnosed alive on March 8, 2019?If the person has since died, their estate may still claim as long as they were alive on March 8, 2019.
Primary lung cancer or primary throat cancer
- Were you (or the person you represent) diagnosed with primary lung cancer or primary throat cancer between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019?
Emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV)
- Were you (or the person you represent) diagnosed with emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019?GOLD Grade III (severe) and IV (very severe) are the two most severe categories of COPD.
Read more
In March 2019, Canada's three major tobacco companies, Imperial Tobacco Canada, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and JTI-Macdonald, entered insolvency proceedings after a Quebec class action judgment ordered them to pay over $13.5 billion. Through court-supervised mediation, the companies reached a global settlement with their creditors, including the provinces and territories, the Quebec class action plaintiffs, and court-appointed counsel representing tobacco victims across the rest of Canada. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved the settlement on March 6, 2025.
The settlement created two compensation plans for smokers and ex-smokers diagnosed with certain tobacco-related diseases. The Pan-Canadian Claimants' (PCC) Compensation Plan, with $2.521 billion available, compensates people across Canada diagnosed between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 with lung cancer, throat cancer, or severe emphysema or COPD. A separate plan, the Quebec Class Action Administration Plan (QCAP), covers Quebec class members diagnosed before March 12, 2012. A person can only be paid under one plan, for the disease and plan that provide the highest compensation.
Claim types
This case covers more than one type of claim. Each has its own payment, proof requirements, and eligibility. Review the type that applies to you.
Primary lung cancer or primary throat cancer
For Tobacco-Victims diagnosed between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 with primary lung cancer or primary squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx, or hypopharynx (throat cancer).
Payment: $60,000 maximum if the victim started smoking before January 1, 1976; $48,000 maximum if they started smoking on or after January 1, 1976. Amounts may be reduced proportionately if the $2.521 billion fund cannot pay all eligible claims.
Proof: Documents required
Who qualifies
- Diagnosed between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive) with primary lung cancer or primary throat cancer (squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx, or hypopharynx)
- Smoked at least twelve pack-years (87,600 cigarettes) sold by the Canadian Tobacco Companies between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998
- Resided in Canada on the date of diagnosis and currently resides in Canada (or resided in Canada at death)
- Alive on March 8, 2019
Emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV)
For Tobacco-Victims diagnosed between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 with emphysema or severe COPD classified as GOLD Grade III or IV.
Payment: $18,000 maximum if the victim started smoking before January 1, 1976; $14,400 maximum if they started smoking on or after January 1, 1976. Amounts may be reduced proportionately if the $2.521 billion fund cannot pay all eligible claims.
Proof: Documents required
Who qualifies
- Diagnosed between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive) with emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV)
- Smoked at least twelve pack-years (87,600 cigarettes) sold by the Canadian Tobacco Companies between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998
- Resided in Canada on the date of diagnosis and currently resides in Canada (or resided in Canada at death)
- Alive on March 8, 2019
How to Submit Your Claim
- Online claimant portalhttps://www.tobaccoclaimscanada.ca/en/Login
- Submit by Email[email protected]
- Submit by Fax1-866-262-0816
- Registered MailTobacco Claims Canada, Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 2958 STN B, Ottawa ON K1P 5W9
Claim Administrator
- Tobacco Claims Canada (Epiq)
- Phone1-888-482-5852
- Email[email protected]
- Websitehttps://www.tobaccoclaimscanada.ca/en/HomePCC/Plan
Agent
If you need help completing a claim form, contact the Agent.
- PCC Agent (Epiq)
- Email[email protected]
- Phone1-888-482-5852
- Websitehttps://www.TobaccoClaimsCanada.ca/en/HomePCC
Remind me before this claim closes
Drop in your email and you'll get two reminders before the Pan-Canadian Claimants' Compensation Plan (PCC) deadline of : one 30 days out, one 7 days out. That's it. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation can I receive?
The maximum payment is $60,000 for lung or throat cancer and $18,000 for emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) for victims who started smoking before January 1, 1976; the maximums are $48,000 and $14,400 for those who started smoking on or after that date. Payments may be reduced proportionately if the $2.521 billion available is not enough to pay all eligible claims, and each claimant is paid for the one disease that results in the highest payment.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
The PCC Claim Form and all supporting documents must be received (or postmarked, for registered mail) by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 3, 2027. Medical and estate documents can take time to obtain, so start gathering them early.
What proof do I need to submit?
You must provide medical documentation confirming the diagnosis, such as a pathology report for lung or throat cancer or a spirometry test report for emphysema or COPD. Quebec residents can instead authorize the Claims Administrator to confirm the diagnosis through Quebec health registries. Smoking history is provided on the Claim Form itself, which must be sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public.
When will I be paid?
If your claim is approved, payment will be issued after the September 3, 2027 claim deadline, once all claims have been reviewed and decisions finalized. The payment date will be posted at https://www.TobaccoClaimsCanada.ca once determined.
What if my claim is rejected or I was diagnosed with a different disease?
If your claim is rejected, you will receive a Notice of Rejection with a Request for Review Form, and you may request a review by an independent Review Officer within 60 days. If you do not meet the PCC criteria but reside or resided in Quebec and were diagnosed before March 12, 2012, you may qualify under the separate QCAP Plan through the QCAP Agent, Proactio, at 1-888-880-1844 or [email protected]. Only lung cancer, throat cancer, and emphysema or COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) are compensated, but a $1 billion charitable foundation was created to fund research and programs for other tobacco-related diseases.
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