Canadians who made beef purchases after 2015 may qualify for a portion of nearly $8 million in a potential settlement with companies following accusations of price-fixing. Multiple Canadian law firms have disclosed that JBS USA Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., and JBS Canada ULC are set to pay $7.49 million, while National Beef will pay $495,000.
The agreement is subject to court approval and does not imply any admission of guilt by the companies. A settlement hearing for members in all provinces except Quebec is scheduled for September 10, with Quebec’s hearing set for December 1 this year.
The class-action lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleges that beef-selling companies participated in an illicit conspiracy concerning the supply or pricing of beef in Canada.
Legal teams including CFM Lawyers LLP in B.C., Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP in Ontario, and Belleau Lapointe LLP in Quebec brought forth the settlement. The settlement excludes beef products and beef purchased by the food service industry.
Class actions are ongoing against certain defendants from Cargill and Tyson companies. Eligible Canadians who wish to opt out, potentially to pursue their lawsuits, must do so by August 10.
This settlement follows the distribution of payments to Canadians in May related to a bread price-fixing class action. Loblaw and its parent company, George Weston Ltd., agreed in 2024 to pay $500 million to resolve the class action, allowing Canadians who bought bread between 2001 and 2021 to apply.
