optimum points settlement in QC

[jayjjj]

2017/08/16
Class Action: Option consommateurs signs an agreement regarding the Pharmaprix Optimum Program – Optimum Points could be distributed
Montreal August 16 , 2017 – Option consommateurs has entered into an agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation, 911979 Alberta Ltd., Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. and Pharmaprix Inc. (collectively “Pharmaprix”) in a class action regarding the Pharmaprix Optimum Program.
Pharmaprix has agreed to pay 2,354,032,174 Optimum Points as part of this agreement, having a value of $4,350,102 without admission of liability.
The agreement must be approved by the Superior Court of Quebec during a hearing which will be held at the Montreal Courthouse on September 6, 2017 at 9:30am in Room 2.08.
Overview of facts
Starting in 2010, Option consommateurs filed a class action against Pharmaprix. The organization blames the company for modifying the Pharmaprix Optimum Program on March 8, 2008, May 2, 2009 and July 1, 2010. The class action seeks to compensate the members of the Optimum Program for the loss of value of their Optimum Points resulting from the modifications made to the Optimum Program.
Pharmaprix denies any wrongdoing or liability and contests the merits of the class action.
If this settlement is approved, it will put an end to the class action.
Members affected
This agreement has been concluded for the individuals who are currently active members of the Pharmaprix Optimum and were active members of the Pharmaprix Optimum Program at the time of the modifications.
How to receive compensation
In order to receive the compensation to which they are entitled, the members covered by the agreement do not have to take any action. A points credit will be applied directly to the Pharmaprix Optimum accounts if they fulfil the admissibility criteria provided for in the agreement. To access these criteria,

[Ciel]

I thought the numbered Alberta corporation was the parent holding company for Shoppers/Pharmaprix entities. Shoppers has three legal versions of itself?

[mulock]

Interesting. I've been a member since the late 1990s, and hoard my points until I hit 95,000 and then would only redeem during the Mega Bonus Redemption Events to get even more dollar value. I was pissed when the program was devalued and I received less for my points. Although is this settlement only for Quebec members?

"Optimum members of Pharmaprix may have more points in their account in the next few weeks under an agreement with Option consommateurs. A collective action was initiated in 2010 by the consumer advocacy group to compensate Quebec members of the program for the loss of value of their points caused by changes made in 2008, business. The agreement announced Wednesday will provide Pharmaprix with more than two billion points for its current customers. Option Consommateur and Loblaw - the owner of the sign Pharmaprix - agree that the agreement does not constitute an admission of guilt on the part of the company. A Loblaw spokeswoman said by e-mail that the company still believes it has acted according to the rules in place when it decided to make changes to the Optimum program. "Although the company continues to believe that it has complied with the law ... it has accepted, without an admission of guilt, to offer compensation to eligible Optimum members through points," said Tammy Smitham. In a statement, Option consommateurs noted that Pharmaprix had agreed to pay more than 2.35 billion Optimum points, representing approximately $ 4.35 million. "There have been negotiations," explained Élise Thériault, counsel for Option consommateurs. We agreed that it would be better to settle the matter in light of the costs that might have been incurred by the court proceedings. " When a Quebec judge gave the green light to collective action in 2012, the loyalty program was estimated to have some 1.4 million members. Ms. Thériault did not know the number of members involved. Under the agreement, Pharmaprix intends to return 85 percent of the value of the points that were lost as a result of the changes made between 2008 and 2010. Those concerned who are still members of the Optimum program should receive their points within 30 days of court approval. Those who are no longer members of the loyalty program will receive nothing. Half of their points will be awarded to other active members, Thériault said. The members covered by the agreement will have no steps to take to receive the compensation to which they are entitled. A hearing is scheduled for September 6 at the Montreal Courthouse."