Certified: Class Actions in Ontario & Beyond

Luciana Brasil and Garth Myers talk about class actions in BC and the Federal Court, and why the recent changes to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992 will probably mean the end of Ontario's predominance over the Canadian class action landscape.

Valérie Lord talks about the differences between mass torts and class actions, and how her experience as a class member following the 2005 Air France plane crash inspires her work today.

Québec class actions lawyer Shaun Finn and I sit down to discuss our favourite subject - class actions history. From its origins in the mists of English medievalism to its adoption in the US and Québec, the class action is now an established part of Canadian law. It now knocks on the door of its ancestral home as class actions gain ground in England.

Should compensating class members be the goal of class actions, or is behaviour modification more important? Paul-Erik Veel and Professor Craig Jones argue that compensation is just the frosting - the "cake" of class actions is deterrence. After an hour of lively discussion, I remain unconvinced.

Mike Eizenga talks about the grandfather of class actions (clue: it isn't him), class actions in Ontario from the earliest days, and why he made that jump to the defence side.

I introduce myself and the podcast, and give an overview of future episodes