Manitoba judge strikes claims against North West Company in proposed class action over grocery subsidy money

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-24 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Affordability, Justice]

A Manitoba Court of King's Bench judgment handed down by former Chief Justice Glenn Joyal struck all claims in a proposed class-action lawsuit against the North West Company regarding the federal Nutrition North Canada program. Plaintiffs Nellie Kusugak, Malaya Qaunirq Chapman, Isabelle Chapadeau, and Chief Darryl Wastesicoot had alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breaches of the Competition Act and provincial consumer protection laws, claiming the retailer kept millions in subsidy money meant to lower northern grocery prices. The court ruled the claims were certain to fail because third-party consumers have no right to sue under the federal funding agreement between the retailer and the government, and the unjust enrichment and consumer protection arguments lacked legal viability.