Supreme Court approves B.C.’s class-action lawsuit against opioid providers

The British Columbia Supreme Court has officially certified the province’s class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Attorney General Niki Sharma confirms that British Columbia can now lead as a representative plaintiff on behalf of all Canadian governments involved in the legal action, aiming to recuperate the expenses of treating opioid-related disorders believed to be linked to the industry’s practices.

Sharma emphasizes that B.C.’s dedication to ensuring accountability from pharmaceutical entities for their contribution to the opioid crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016, remains unwavering. The Supreme Court of Canada had previously upheld the legality of legislation allowing B.C. to proceed with the class-action lawsuit on behalf of federal, provincial, and territorial governments following challenges by several opioid companies within the province.

The Supreme Court recognized the constitutional validity of B.C.’s law, respecting the legislative jurisdiction of other Canadian governments while granting them the option to participate or abstain from the legal action. Nearly all provinces, territories, and the federal government expressed their intent to partake in the class-action, affirming the weight of the case against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Sharma views the certification of the class-action as a pivotal step in proceedings commencing in 2018 when the province initially filed the lawsuit to address the healthcare expenditures related to opioid-related damages. The primary objective behind the legal action was not only to recover treatment costs but to hold accountable those responsible for deceptive marketing practices that allegedly fueled addiction rates and overdose incidents across Canada.

Recent data from the B.C. Coroners Service highlights a 9% decline in overdose deaths during the monitored period of last year compared to previous years. However, nationwide statistics from the Canadian government disclosed over 49,000 opioid-related deaths reported between January 2016 and June 2024, underscoring the severity of the crisis’s toll on the population.

The road to justice in the fight against the opioid epidemic is marked by momentum, with the certification of the class-action lawsuit in British Columbia setting a precedent for other government entities to stand up against pharmaceutical companies. As each province and territory prepares to engage in this legal pursuit, the hope remains that justice will prevail in holding those involved accountable for their role in the health crisis.