Case name:
Illegal rate increases imposed by Videotron and Cogeco in violation of section 11.2 of the Consumer Protection Act.
Quebec Superior Court file #:
500-06-001334-248
What this class action is about:
Every year, Videotron and Cogeco send notices to their customers informing them of rate increases to their telecommunications services (telephone, TV and Internet). Section 11.2 of the Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act (“CPA“) provides strict rules that companies must comply with in notifying their customers of price increases, failing which the price increase is without effect and unenforceable.
Videotron’s most recent price increase in September 2024 notified customers of an increase of $2.00 per month (plus taxes) for each of the following services: Helix TV package, Helix Internet Plan and telephone, coming into force on December 4, 2024. Cogeco recently increased the price for their services by $5.99 per month (plus taxes). However, both Videotron and Cogeco sent deficient notices to their clients that were in contravention of section 11.2 CPA, notably because they failed to mention the original total price and the newly modified total price, and only mentioned the amount of the increases.
The law is clear that these rate increases were invalid and, as such, this class action seeks the full reimbursement of the amounts of the rate increases (which likely add up to tens of millions of dollars in the aggregate, if not more), plus punitive damages of $200 per customer.
Proposed Class:
All persons whose monthly rate for one of Videotron’s or Cogeco’s services was unilaterally increased by Videotron or Cogeco in contravention of section 11.2 of the Consumer Protection Act since September 20, 2021.
Status:
Class action authorization application filed on September 20, 2024, in the Superior Court of Quebec, district of Montreal. You may consult a copy of this proceeding below. Currently pending authorization hearing.
