Quebec and Ontario stores sold fake maple syrup—now a Class Action Lawsuit could pay you $100 or more

A can of maple syrup is supposed to make one promise: pure means pure, and “from Quebec” means it came from Quebec. A proposed class action says some shoppers got something else—cans sold as pure Quebec maple syrup that allegedly contained cane sugar or syrup from outside the province.

What happened

The story starts with 9227-8712 Québec inc., the Montérégie producer behind Érablière Steve Bourdeau. The initial filing says tests on five cans bought in different grocery stores found less than 50% maple syrup; the pleading alleges the rest was cane sugar or syrup from outside Quebec. Steve Bourdeau has said he did not modify the syrup and blamed his suppliers.

The syrup was sold in the kind of places shoppers trust without thinking twice. CBC reported cans turning up in Quebec and Ontario stores, while the National Post reported that the proposed case had expanded to major grocery chains. The latest filing names Metro, Sobeys Group, Groupe Épicia, and Loblaw alongside the producer.

Who’s concerned

The proposed class covers people across Canada who, since October 5, 2010, bought at least one can produced by 9227-8712 Québec inc., including cans bought at Metro, Sobeys, Épicia, or Loblaw stores. The court will decide who is ultimately covered.

The amended application asks the defendants to return all or part of the purchase price and pay at least $100 in punitive damages to each class member.

What happens next

The court must first decide whether the case can proceed as a class action. If it does, the court will set the class and the next steps for notice, claims or a settlement. There is no settlement, claim form, or claim deadline available yet. If you still have a receipt, can or photo, keep it—but there is nothing to submit today.

Canooq will update this article when the registry posts an authorization decision or an official claims process.