Articles 2019

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Today

Post-Judgment Individual Issues Decisions Offer Guidance for Predominance Analysis at Certification

  • March 26, 2021
  • Jody Brown and Joshua Mandryk, Goldblatt Partners LLP

The new legislative requirement that common issues “predominate” over individual issues in order to certify a class action will serve to intensify attention on potential individual issues at certification. Although Ontario has little judicial authority on individual issues litigation, the authority to date shows that individual issues litigation can be structured to ensure that individual questions will be determined in accessible and effective ways, even in large, complex proceedings.

Class Actions, Student Forum

Raising Limitations Issues Before the Close of Pleadings: Further Guidance from the Court of Appeal

  • March 26, 2021
  • Megan Percy, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

A recent unanimous decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Kaynes v. BP p.l.c. provides welcome guidance to the class actions bar, as it confirms the circumstances in which an early-stage Rule 21 motion to challenge a statute-barred claim may be appropriate, and clarifies when a claim for fraudulent misrepresentation is discoverable under the Limitations Act.

Class Actions, Student Forum

Objection, Your Honour! Can class members dispute settlement orders in class actions?

  • March 04, 2021
  • Daniel MacDonald, student caseworker – Class Action Clinic | Windsor Law

A feature unique to class actions is that class members are not always happy with settlements. Occasionally, class members object to settlements but judges approve them anyway. Is there recourse for class members when this situation arises? Alberta Court of Appeal ruled in Macaronies Hair Club and Laser Center Inc. v Bank of Montreal that unhappy class members have no right to appeal a settlement order and have no other recourse.

Class Actions, Student Forum

The Power To Be Bold: A New Chapter for Novel Claims in Class Proceedings

  • March 04, 2021
  • Craig Lockwood and Stephen Armstrong, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Novel claims present a significant challenge for courts in the context of interlocutory proceedings such as motions to strike or amend pleadings, or to certify class proceedings. In Atlantic Lottery Corp. Inc. v. Babstock, the Supreme Court of Canada provided welcome guidance on how courts should approach motions to strike pleadings of novel causes of action. Notably, the Court held that a plaintiff’s claim will not survive a motion to strike simply because it is novel.

Class Actions, Student Forum

Wong v. Pretium Resources Inc.: Finally, the First Decision on the Merits of a Securities Class Action Alleging Secondary Market Misrepresentation

  • March 04, 2021
  • Michael Rosenberg, Caroline H. Humphrey, Aya Schechner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

The OSC has finally decided the merits of a class action under the secondary market liability provisions of the Ontario Securities Act. Belobaba, J. began by noting that “leave to proceed will be granted if there is enough evidence to clear the ‘reasonable possibility’ hurdle,” but “when the matter is litigated in full and the plaintiff’s hurdle is the more demanding ‘balance of probabilities’, the defendants may prevail and the securities class action will be dismissed."

Class Actions, Natural Resources and Energy Law, Student Forum

Proximity and Pure Economic Loss

  • February 06, 2021
  • Emily Assini and Sabrina Lombardi, McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP

Historically, plaintiffs seeking damages for pure economic loss have faced multiple challenges from defendants, as well as skepticism from the Courts.  In two recent decisions, the Courts have emphasized that categories for claims for pure economic loss while not closed, are fact driven, and that a finding of proximity is key.  These cases could have important implications on the success of future class proceedings.

Class Actions, Student Forum

Fresco v. CIBC – Ontario Superior Court of Justice grants summary judgment to plaintiff in overtime class action

  • January 05, 2021
  • Jean-Marc Leclerc, Sotos LLP

In a series of decisions released in the spring, summer and fall of 2020, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted summary judgment to the class in an overtime class action brought on behalf of approximately 35,000 front-line employees of CIBC. The decisions represent the first merits determination in an overtime class action case in Canada and could serve as a template for future cases.

Class Actions, Student Forum

Pre-Certification Stays in Multijurisdictional Class Actions: Ravvin v Canada Bread Company, Limited

  • December 22, 2020
  • Mike Eizenga, Justin Lambert, Ashley Paterson and Keely Cameron, Bennett Jones LLP

In the wake of COVID-19, which has strained already limited judicial resources, the Alberta Court of Appeal has issued a decision addressing the need for judicial economy and the avoidance of duplicative and overlapping proceedings in multijurisdictional class actions.

Class Actions, Student Forum

“Exclusivity Orders” - an End Run Around Carriage Motions?

  • December 17, 2020
  • Ashley Seely

An exclusivity order prevents the commencement of another action on the same facts without leave of the Court, effectively deciding carriage of the matter. In Harpreet v Cronos, the Court ruled that carriage would be dealt with when and if another proposed class action on the same subject matter was commenced. The Court viewed the request for an exclusivity order as “a form of end-run around a potential carriage motion."

Class Actions, Student Forum