Dollarama customers could get money out of class action settlement in Canada

Some Dollarama customers might be able to get a few bucks from a class action settlement.

Eligible customers must submit a claim form online no later than Feb. 14.

It comes after the Superior Court of Quebec approved a $2.5-million settlement in a class action targeting Dollarama Inc.’s use of eco fees.

Environmental handling fees, sometimes called eco fees, are charged by retailers like Dollarama on items like electronics, light bulbs, batteries and toys in order to help with the cost of recycling.

“The plaintiff alleged that Dollarama did not properly display the price of products subject to ecofees and charged a price or ecofees higher than the one displayed or allowed by law. Dollarama denies any and all wrongdoing or liability,” the settlement website states.

“(The) plaintiff and Dollarama negotiated and ultimately agreed to the settlement after the lawyers for all parties, assisted by an experienced mediator, extensively evaluated the facts and law relating to this case, and took into account a variety of factors such as the burdens and expense of the lawsuit, and the risk and uncertainty of litigation.”

To qualify for compensation, customers must have purchased a product subject to ecofees from Dollarama anywhere in Canada between May 29, 2021 and July 4, 2023, or in Quebec from Dec. 11, 2019 and July 4, 2023.

Each customer can only submit one claim form, regardless of the number of products they purchased that were subject to ecofees.

Payments will be sent via e-transfer, and will be between a minimum of $3 and a maximum of $10, depending on the number of approved claimants.

The settlement website notes that if the number of approved claimants results in payments being worth less than $3 each, they money will instead be given to charities approved by the court.

The claim form and additional information can be found on the settlement website.

Meanwhile, Dollarama said in a statement that, “Just like all other retailers, Dollarama charges for eco fees where appropriate, but given our fixed product price points, we displayed our retail price and eco fee separately.”

— With files from The Canadian Press