Bell Canada Prison Calls
This case alleges that the defendant breached Ontario consumer protection and other laws by extracting exorbitant fees from individuals placing and accepting telephone calls from correctional facilities in Ontario since 2013.
The defendant is the exclusive provider of telephone services for incarcerated persons in Ontario correctional facilities. The defendant charged unconscionable telephone service rates and made misrepresentations concerning the cost of telephone calls placed from correctional facilities in Ontario.
The Court will decide at a later date if the case will proceed as a class action.
The case seeks to represent all persons currently or formerly incarcerated in an Ontario correctional facility and all persons in Canada who accepted and paid for a collect call originating from a person incarcerated in an Ontario correctional facility.
- December 11, 2024: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued its decision in the plaintiffs’ application. The CRTC ruled that it did not have authority to give the plaintiffs and the class the relief sought. The plaintiffs therefore intend to pursue justice in the court together with their claim against the province. Bell Canada and Ontario have sought to appeal this decision and have also asked the CRTC to re-consider its ruling. Further updates will be provided here when available.
- February 8, 2024: The Supreme SCC denied leave to appeal. We are proceeding in the CRTC.
- November 10, 2023: The plaintiffs have filed an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for the determinations specified by the Court of Appeal. In the meantime, the defendants have sought leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision to the Supreme Court of Canada; the decision is pending.
- May 2, 2023: The Court of Appeal partially granted the plaintiffs’ appeal and changed the lower court’s permanent stay of this class action with a temporary stay subject to certain steps to be first taken before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. The plaintiffs are contemplating next steps. You can find a copy of the Court of Appeal’s decision here.
- February 21, 2023: The appeal was heard on February 21, 2023. The decision is under reserve by the Court of Appeal.
- April 26, 2022: The Superior Court of Justice dismissed and permanently stayed the plaintiffs’ action on jurisdictional grounds. You can find a copy of the decision here. The plaintiffs have appealed that decision.
- August 25, 2021: The plaintiffs issued their Amended Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim.
- June 30, 2021: Bell Canada served its certification and jurisdiction motion materials.
- June 30, 2021: The Ontario Government served its certification motion materials and its jurisdiction motion.
- April 23, 2021: Certification motion will be held on December 7-8, 2021. Details of the hearing will be posted here.
- January 6, 2021: The plaintiffs served their certification motion record.
- July 24, 2020: The Superior Court of Justice allowed plaintiffs to amend their statement of claim. The Province of Ontario was added as a defendant to the lawsuit in the Amended Fresh Statement of Claim.
- February 5, 2020: Plaintiff issues Statement of Claim in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
- Order (November 15, 2023)
- Decision of Court of Appeal (May 2, 2023)
- Amended Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim (August 25, 2021)
- Responding and Cross-Motion Record of Bell Canada (June 30, 2021)
- Cross-Motion Record of Ontario (June 30, 2021)
- Responding Motion Record of Ontario (June 30, 2021)
- Plaintiffs’ Reply Motion Record (July 15, 2021)
- Responding and Cross-Motion Record (June 30, 2021)
- Cross-Motion of Defendant (June 30, 2021)
- Responding Motion of Defendant (June 30, 2021)
- Motion Record (Certification) (January 6, 2021)
- Amended Fresh Statement of Claim (July 24, 2020)
- Statement of Claim (February 5, 2020)
- Bell made more than $64-million from jail calls at issue in lawsuit, gave $39-million commission to Ontario, The Globe and Mail, August 9, 2024.
- ‘Pure opportunism:’ Bell received more than $64M from jail calls and gave $39M ‘spoils’ to Ontario, National Post, August 9, 2024.
- Ontario government, Bell won’t say how much money they made from inmate phone calls, Global News, May 16, 2023.
- Bell Canada asked to set aside phone charges for Ontario prisoners during COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Lawyers, March 26, 2020.
- Class Action Alleges Bell Canada Charges Exorbitant Fees for Prison Calls, Cision, February 10, 2020.
What is a class action?
A class action is a special form of lawsuit in which one plaintiff brings a claim against one or more defendants based on allegations which are common to a group, or class, of people. In order for the action to become a class action, it must proceed through a stage known as “certification”.
Who brings a class action lawsuit forward?
A statement of claim is issued on behalf of a “representative plaintiff”. The representative plaintiff’s role is to work with class counsel to bring the action forward and to represent the class members in court.
What is certification?
In order for an action to proceed on behalf of the entire class, a judge must decide (among other things) whether the members of the proposed class have common issues, and whether a class action is the preferred way to resolve the issues. The process to decide these issues is known as the “certification motion”. If the judge is satisfied that the case meets all of the requirements for certification, he or she will issue an order which certifies the action as a class action.
Do I have to do anything to “join” the lawsuit?
No. If the lawsuit is certified, and you are included in the class as defined, you are automatically included in the lawsuit.
Once I am part of the class do I have to do anything?
No. We will work primarily with the class representative.
What if I do not want to be included in the lawsuit?
Those who do not wish to remain in the class will be given the option to opt-out by sending an opt-out form at the appropriate time to us.
What are the benefits of proceeding as a class action?
Certification as a class action will enable us to prove the facts in a single lawsuit rather than in numerous individual lawsuits. This has obvious benefits to the class members and to the courts.
How long does it take for a class action to be resolved?
There is no timeframe. We will move the case forward diligently but it can take a considerable period of time to reach trial.
Can a class action lawsuit be settled without going to trial?
Many class actions settle and thereby remove the need for a trial. However, we cannot predict with any certainty whether or not there will be a settlement in a given action.
What are the chances of winning the action?
The chances of “winning” can never be accurately predicted.
Will be liable for any costs or legal fees?
Class action lawsuits are typically brought on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyers will only be paid if the action is successful at trial or results in a settlement in favour of the plaintiffs. Legal fees would then be paid out of the settlement or judgment proceeds as approved by a judge.
Disbursements (i.e. out-of-pocket expenses, including expert reports) may be dealt with in one of two ways.
Most commonly, the lawyers will absorb the cost of disbursements. The lawyers may seek funding assistance from the Class Proceeding Fund, which may provide funding for disbursements if granted.
In some cases, disbursements may be funded by the class members, including the class representative. This typically occurs in smaller class actions brought on behalf of an organization or network of individuals where each member of the class is easily identifiable and known to the representative plaintiff. If the class action is successful, amounts advanced for disbursements are re-paid from the proceeds of any judgment or settlement to class members (and others).
Will I be liable for costs of the action if it is unsuccessful?
Only the class representative may be liable for costs of the common issues portion of the action if it is unsuccessful.
When can I expect to receive a payout from this class action?
A “payout” or an award for damages is never certain.
The action may settle or it may proceed to trial, at which time a judge will determine the amount of damages, if any, to which the class members are entitled to. Regardless, the amount of “payout” cannot be predicted, and we cannot predict when the action may settle or when the trial will conclude.
How will counsel keep me updated on the progress of the case?
If the lawsuit is certified as a class action, you will receive a formal notice from the court explaining the nature of the case and providing you with the opportunity to opt out if you wish. General information about the lawsuit will be posted on Sotos LLP’s website at https://www.sotosclassactions.com.
Where can I send any documents that I have that may be relevant to a class action?
We ask that you keep a copy of any documents, correspondences, records, invoices, receipts, etc. that you feel might be relevant to your individual claim in the class action. If there is a “payout,” this documentation may be required in order to support your claim for compensation.
It is not required that you send any documents to us at this time.