Desjardins Settlement

Welcome to the official Desjardins Settlement Website

Summary of class actions

  • Desjardins Group has reached an out-of-court settlement with the plaintiffs, who are represented by the law firms Siskinds Desmeules and Kugler Kandestin, in the class actions filed in connection with the privacy breach announced by Desjardins in 2019.
  • The settlement agreement is intended to resolve all claims related to the privacy breach by providing compensation to class members and releasing Desjardins from future lawsuits that relate to the privacy breach.
  • The settlement agreement was submitted to the Superior Court of Quebec for approval on May 24, 2022. The settlement was approved on June 14, 2022.
  • The claims period will begin gradually for the affected persons as of July 21, 2022.
  • From July 21, 2022 to mid-October 2022, Explanatory Notices will be sent directly to a large number of Class members via AccèsD or by letter, to inform them of the steps to follow in order to file a claim.
  • These notices will contain a hyperlink (for Notices sent by AccèsD) or unique reference number (for Notices sent by letter) intended for the member of the Class, allowing to file a claim more easily.
  • Members who did not receive the Explanatory Notice directly can file a claim as of October 18, 2022. 
  • Class members will be able to submit a claim as follows:
    1. Current members and clients using AccèsD: Visit the Desjardins AccèsD platform. In the messaging board, you will find a message about the Class Actions and specifically a personalized link to the Online Claims Portal. This link will provide you access to the Online Claims Portal.
    2. Current and former members and clients of Desjardins who can be reached by mail and who will receive a letter: The letter sent by Desjardins will contain instructions to login to the Online Claims Portal using a unique reference number.
    3. Anybody who is part of the group but who did not receive a message on AccèsD or a letter: The Online Claims Portal will be open to all members as of October 18, 2022.   

I do not want to participate in the Settlement.

You do not need to submit a claim, but you can no longer exclude yourself from the Class. The Settlement is binding on you unless you opted out by April 8, 2022. If you do not submit a claim, you will not receive compensation under the settlement. 

What if I do not submit a claim or do nothing?

You will not receive compensation from the settlement.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT DESJARDINS OR THE COURTS FOR INFORMATION.

CLAIM NOW

The Online Claims Portal will be open to all members as of October 18, 2022. Only Class Members that have received a personalized link on Desjardins AccèsD web platform or that have received a letter with login instructions can claim at this time. 


Class members

  • The group, known as a class, covered by the class actions includes anyone affected by the privacy breach publicly announced by Desjardins on June 20, 2019. 
  • Anyone covered by this definition, including former Desjardins members and clients, is automatically included in the class actions.
  • Class members are eligible to file claims under the following:
    • Subclass 1: means the subclass consisting of all Class Members who have spent time to take certain eligible steps in connection with the privacy breach. Each Subclass 1 Member who submits a Valid Claim will receive compensation. *No documentation required.
    • Subclass 2: means the subclass consisting of Class Members who have been the subject of an Identity Theft since January 1, 2017. Each Subclass 2 member who has submitted a Valid Claim will be entitled to a lump sum indemnity of $1,000, subject to the claims process and terms set out in the Administration Protocol, Schedule 5 of the Final Settlement Agreement. *Documentation required.

Key dates

The settlement is approved by the court. Below are the key dates pertaining to the settlement and claims period:

  • The court approved the settlement on June 14, 2022.
  • The claims period will gradually open for eligible individuals beginning July 21, 2022:
    • Notices to members and clients will be sent on AccèsD;
    • Notices to current and former members and clients who don't use AccèsD and can be reached by mail will receive a letter in the mail;
    • Notices will also be published in major Canadian media outlets;

  • These notices will provide more information on how to file a claim under the settlement;
  • The claims period will open to all class members on October 18, 2022. Until then, only members who have directly received an Explanatory Notice can file a claim;
  • RicePoint will indemnify Subclass 1 (loss of time) members who submit valid claims by cheque payable to the claimant or by Interac e-Transfer, within 90 days following the end of the Claims period for Subclass 1.  The deadline to submit a claim for the Subclass 1 is April 20, 2023, therefore the payment to members would be before July 19, 2023.
  • RicePoint will indemnify Subclass 2 (identity theft) members who submit valid Claims by cheque payable to the Claimant or by Interac e-Transfer, within 90 days following the end of the applicable Claim Year.
    • The deadline to submit a claim for year 1 is October 20, 2023, therefore the payment to members would be before January 18, 2024.
    • The deadline to submit a claim for year 2 is October 20, 2024, therefore the payment to members would be before January 18, 2025
    • The deadline to submit a claim for year 3 is October 20, 2025, therefore the payment to members would be before January 18, 2026.