Bell Canada Reached A Settlement In A Quebec Class Action Lawsuit & You Could Get A Credit

Despite denying allegations that it misled consumers, Bell Canada has agreed to pay $2 million — a credit of $8 per eligible customer — following a class-action lawsuit launched in Quebec in March 2017.

According to the settlement agreement posted to law firm LPC Avocat Inc.'s website, the plaintiff, Shay Abicidan, claimed the telecom giant misled consumers into believing they had access to a fully fibre-optic network.

"The Plaintiff alleged that Bell Canada misled consumers by using the term Fibe and/or fibre optics when offering services that were, in fact, hybrid (i.e. composed of fibre optics and copper), in violation of Quebec's Consumer Protection Act," the case summary reads.

If the settlement is approved in court, anyone living in Quebec who subscribed to FIBE TV or FIBE Internet between May 1, 2012, and March 30, 2017, and who was not connected to a 100% fibre-optic network, will be able to claim a one-time credit of $8 plus taxes on their account.

There are three non-negotiable criteria to qualify for the credit:

• You subscribed to Bell's FIBE Internet or FIBE TV services between May 1, 2012, and March 30, 2017
• You were connected to Bell's network via a fibre-to-the-neighbourhood (FTTN) connection
• You remain subscribed to FIBE Internet or FIBE TV services as of the distribution date (60 days after the final judgement)

The hearing to approve the settlement agreement between the two parties will take place on the morning of November 24 at the Montreal courthouse.