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Air Canada has been directed by the Quebec Court of Appeal to pay over $10 million in damages following a class-action lawsuit. The suit, initiated by a consumer advocacy group and a passenger approximately 15 years ago, alleged that the airline charged more than the advertised ticket prices.
Justice Judith Harvie stated that Air Canada exhibited "ignorance and laxity" by assuming exemption from a provincial Consumer Protection Act, as air transport falls under federal jurisdiction. Harvie described the airline's actions as "recklessness and serious negligence towards consumers" and emphasized the need for punitive damages to denounce such behavior.
Initially, a lower court ruled that the breach, involving unadvertised extra fees, did not harm consumers and thus did not warrant damages. However, the Court of Appeal reversed this decision, asserting that Air Canada prioritized its commercial interests over consumer protection.
