Beekeepers Class Action for Government Negligence
This class action is on behalf of Canadian beekeepers who assert that Canada negligently, or through abusive administrative action, denied them their lawful right to seek import permits for honeybee packages from the U.S. by abdicating its regulatory authority to a third-party industry group dominated by beekeepers that wanted to keep the border closed to U.S. packages. In so doing, Canada substituted political opinion for what the law required to be an evidence-based assessment of pest and disease risk, and enabled some beekeepers to profit from the denial of rights of others.
This class action is on behalf of:
All persons in Canada who keep or have kept more than 50 bee colonies at a time for commercial purposes since December 31, 2006.
If you are a class member, please call 1 800 216 3016 or email beekeepersclassaction@kmlaw.ca.
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Latest Developments
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May 31, 2021
The parties have now completed the discovery phase and the trial is set to begin on November 15, 2021.
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August 12, 2019
The parties are in the discovery phase of the litigation.
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November 5, 2017
The opt out period has now expired and the parties are entering the discovery phase of the class action.
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July 18, 2017
Please find enclosed a copy of the notice of certification and the opt out form in English and French.
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June 13, 2017
This action was certified as a class proceeding on February 17, 2017.
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May 31, 2021
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FAQS
What is a class action?
A class action is a lawsuit which provides a method for a large group of people with common claims to join together to advance one large claim. Class actions are a more efficient and cost-effective way for groups of people with common claims to gain access to the legal system and seek justice.
What does certification mean?
In order for an action to proceed as a class action, the court must determine whether it is appropriate for the case to be treated as a class action. Some of the factors the courts consider are the extent to which the claims of the class
members are common, and whether a class action is preferable to other methods (such as individual actions) of advancing the issues. The decision as to whether a class action should be certified takes place at a certification hearing and is decided by a judge. If certified, a representative plaintiff will advance the action on behalf of all of the class members.How do I know if I am a Class Member?
The certification order will always contain a description of who is a class member. We post the certification orders in our actions so that you can review them. You do not need to “sign up” to become involved in a class action. If you are included in the class description, you are automatically a class member who will be affected by the outcome of the class action unless you decide to “opt out”.
Are Class Members notified of the certification of the class proceeding?
Yes. After the claim has been certified, the court will authorize notice to be given to the members of the class.
Can I opt out of a class action and pursue independent legal action?
Yes. When a class action is certified, class members are always given an opportunity to opt out of the action. A deadline is imposed for opting out. If you do not opt out by the given deadline, class members will be bound by the outcome of the class action, whether it is successful or unsuccessful. If you opt out, you will not receive any benefit if the action is successful.
Will there be any cost to class members for legal fees?
Typically, class actions are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means that the class action lawyers will be paid only if the class action is successful at trial or settled. In that case, class counsel fees may be paid by the defendants or out of the settlement or judgment proceeds as approved by the court. In addition, the plaintiff may seek funding assistance from the Class Proceeding Fund which, if funding is granted, may provide funding for disbursements.
I still have questions…
Please feel to contact us by using the contact information on this site.
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Contacts
Toll Free Hotline: 1 800 216 3016
