The Settlement: Who is it for?

The Government of Canada has agreed to settle several Class Action lawsuits commenced on behalf of people who became infected with the Hepatitis C virus through the blood system in Canada prior to 1986 and after July 1, 1990. The Settlement has been approved by the Courts.

To settle the lawsuits, the Government of Canada has agreed to establish a Compensation Fund in the amount of $ 962 million. People primarily or secondarily infected with Hepatitis C through the blood system in Canada either prior to January 1, 1986 or between July 2, 1990 to September 28, 1998 may apply for compensation under the Settlement. Estates of infected Class Members who have died, family members of infected Class Members, and dependants of infected Class Members whose death was caused by their infection with the Hepatitis C virus may also apply for compensation.

Under the terms of the Settlement, the Government of Canada does not admit liability.

Approved claimants will receive lump sum compensation based upon their age, current disease level and the probability of disease progression in the future. Compensation is also available for people who have lost income or household services as a result of their infection with Hepatitis C, for estates of infected Class Members who have died, and for dependants of claimants whose death was caused by their infection with the Hepatitis C virus.

The settlement is identical in the 4 class actions. Your province of residence will govern which of the 4 class actions you are a member of. Class members resident in British Columbia are members of the British Columbia class action. Class members resident in Alberta are members of the Alberta class action. Class members resident in Quebec are members of the Quebec class action. All other class members are members of the Ontario class action. If you are not resident in British Columbia or Alberta, but wish to opt into either the British Columbia or Alberta class actions, you may do so by sending a letter to the Administrator clearly stating that you wish to opt into the British Columbia class action or into the Alberta class action. The only effect of opting in to the British Columbia or Alberta class actions would be that any appeals regarding your claim would be heard by Courts in British Columbia or Alberta. It would not in any way affect your eligibility for compensation or the amount of compensation you may receive from this settlement.