Canadians who purchased beef products from grocery stores since 2015 could be eligible for a share of nearly $8 million in a proposed class-action settlement over alleged price-fixing. JBS has agreed to pay $7,498,700, while National Beef Packing Company has agreed to pay $495,000, according to the settlement announced on Thursday.
Allegations of Conspiracy
The lawsuit alleges that the companies participated in an unlawful conspiracy to fix, maintain, or stabilize beef prices and control production or supply, starting as early as January 1, 2015. Price-fixing occurs when competing businesses agree to set the same prices, potentially leading consumers to pay artificially high prices.
The class action seeks court orders for defendants to return any additional money gained from the alleged conspiracy. Two other companies, Cargill and Tyson, are also named but are not part of this settlement; class actions against them are ongoing.
Eligibility and Settlement Details
Class members include individuals who purchased beef for personal use or resale in Canada on or after January 1, 2015. Excluded are purchases by the food service industry, such as restaurants. The settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing by the companies.
There are two settlement classes: the B.C. settlement class covers all Canadians except those in Quebec, and the Quebec settlement class includes consumers who bought beef in Quebec during the same period. The exact amount individual claimants will receive has not been determined, pending court approval.
Court Approval Timeline
An approval hearing for all Canadians except Quebec is scheduled for September 10, 2026, while the Quebec approval hearing is set for December 1, 2025. Courts will decide if the settlements are fair and reasonable. If approved, details on payment distribution will be made public.
Canadians who wish to opt out must do so by August 10, 2026. More information is available on the class action website. The law firms involved are CFM Lawyers LLP, Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP, and Belleau Lapointe LLP in Quebec.
Context: Previous Bread Price-Fixing Case
This proposed settlement follows a separate class action against Loblaw and George Weston Ltd. for bread price-fixing, which resulted in a $500 million settlement. Payouts for that case began in May 2026.
