Overview

The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) can file claims for clients who may be eligible to receive class action financial benefits. Sometimes, the PGT may also start class actions on behalf of clients.

On this page, you will find out what a class action lawsuit is and the PGT’s role in class actions.

Class action lawsuits 

In Canada, a class action is a type of lawsuit where a group of people with common issues bring a claim to court together instead of individually. This type of claim is usually pursued when many people have been harmed in a similar way. The group of people bringing the claim to court are called class action members. The defendant is the person or organization that the claim is against. Class actions can be started against a variety of defendants, including businesses, governments and other large organizations.

Class actions let affected people join together for compensation or other remedies from those responsible (the defendant). This allows everyone in the group to potentially get compensation without having to file their own separate lawsuit. The claim is managed by the same lawyers for all members of the group. However, if a member chooses, they can leave the group and get their own lawyer to make their own claim. 

Besides financial compensation, a class action may hold a defendant accountable to the people who have suffered harm. It may also prompt changes that can help prevent similar wrongs and losses in the future.

The PGT’s role in class actions

We actively watch for class actions that may apply to groups of PGT clients. 

We also investigate class actions on behalf of individual clients who receive notice that they may be eligible for a class action. 

Class action settlement eligibility

If you think you may be eligible for compensation under a class action and you are a PGT client, please contact your staff representative.