Canadians can claim part of $7.9-million beef price-fixing settlement
Anyone who bought beef in Canada since January 2015 may be eligible for compensation, with JBS and National Beef agreeing to settle class-action lawsuits.
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Canadians who have bought beef products from the grocery store could claim part of a massive proposed settlement following allegations of price-fixing.
On Thursday, law firms CFM Lawyers, Strosberg Wingfield Sasso, and Belleau Lapointe announced that proposed settlements have been reached with JBS USA Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland Inc., JBS Canada ULC, and National Beef Packing Company in class actions. The class actions allege price fixing and related conduct in respect of the sale of beef in Canada.
JBS has agreed to pay $7,498,700 to class members, and National Beef has agreed to pay $495,000, for a combined total of $7,993,700. Both companies have agreed to cooperate with plaintiffs pursuing claims against non-settling defendants — there are still ongoing class actions against certain Cargill and Tyson defendants.
The settlements are not an admission by JBS or National Beef of liability, fault, or wrongdoing, but are compromises of disputed claims, according to the law firms.
The B.C. settlement class includes anyone in Canada (except Quebec members) who bought beef for resale or personal use between January 1, 2015, and the date the class action is certified for settlement approval. The Quebec settlement class includes anyone who bought beef in the province during the same period. The class action excludes products purchased from the food service industry.
Canadians who could be eligible do not need to do anything at this time. However, if you want to opt out, you must send a signed written election to the class counsel by August 10, 2026, via pre-paid mail, courier, fax, or e-mail. The settlements still need to be approved by the courts before they become effective.
