"Plan Members" v "Government"
British Columbia Public Service Benefits Class Action Certified
A class action proceeding has been certified against the Province of British Columbia (the "Government") on behalf of the members of the British Columbia Public Service Pension Plan (the "Plan Members") who were presently entitled to receive premium-free Medical Services Plan Benefits and Extended Health Care Benefits, and who retired on or before November, 2002.
The representative plaintiff for this class action is Frederick Bennett. The plaintiff is represented by the law firm of Albert Peeling in Victoria, as well as Koskie Minsky LLP in Toronto and Underhill Faulkner Boies Parker Law Corporation in Vancouver and Victoria.
Plan Members claim damages against the Government for breaching fiduciary obligations with respect to the provision of premium-free Medical Services Plan Benefits and Extended Health Care Benefits. Additionally, Plan Members who were directly employed by the Government claim damages for breaching contractual obligations with respect to the applicable medical benefits. On November 13, 2007, Madam Justice Dorgan of the Supreme Court of British Columbia approved the release of the attached Notice to all of the amembers of the Class, setting out the nature of the claim.
The litigation will now proceed to the document and oral discovery stages. More information, and court approved documents, can be found at the website of Koskie Minsky LLP at www.kmlaw.ca, or by contacting Mark Zigler at 416-595-2090.
