Update: December 1, 2025
We are pleased to announce that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved the Settlement of two certified class action lawsuits against Ontario and Canada (the “Defendants”): Lapple v Ontario and Dadzie v Ontario and Canada. The lawsuits alleged that the Defendants improperly subjected inmates and immigration detainees to staffing-related lockdowns, constituting systemic negligence and breaches of sections 7 and 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Defendants deny those allegations, and the Court did not decide who was right. The Parties instead decided to settle the lawsuits.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved the Settlement on October 22, 2025. Class Members are now able to make a Claim for compensation under the Settlement.
Who Are Class Members in the Proposed Settlement?
| Class Action | Class Members |
|---|---|
| Lapple Action (Inmates) | All current and former inmates of Ontario correctional institutions as defined in the Ministry of Correctional Services Act (other than the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, the Ontario Correctional Institute, or the St Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre) between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017, including those held pending trial or other court appearance. |
| Dadzie Action (Immigration Detainees) | All persons detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act at Ontario correctional institutions as defined in the Ministry of Correctional Services Act (other than the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, the Ontario Correctional Institute, or the St Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre) between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017 (solely with respect to their detention under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). |
The Settlement
The Settlement provides compensation to Class Members who experienced 16 or more staffing-related lockdowns, calculated in accordance with the Settlement Agreement:
- between August 15, 2014 and November 27, 2017, for current or former inmates; or,
- between August 11, 2014 and November 27, 2017, for current or former immigration detainees.
Depending on the number of staffing-related lockdowns and the nature of harm suffered, eligible Claimants could receive between $2,000 and $68,000 (subject to a pro rata reduction, if necessary).
Class Members who experienced staffing-related lockdowns after May 30, 2009 but before the dates set out above may still be eligible for compensation if they can show that they were legally incapable of starting a lawsuit during that time, or, in limited circumstances, may be eligible to receive limited compensation from the Exceptional Circumstances Fund.
Note: At this time, there is no money available for Class Members. The claims process will take some time and your patience is appreciated. When payments are sent to Class Members, an announcement will be posted on this website and the settlement website.
How to Make a Claim
The claims process is now open. Class Members can now submit Claim Forms online at Portal.OntJailStaffLockdowns.ca, or by downloading a PDF copy from OntJailStaffLockdowns.ca and sending it to the Administrator:
| by email: | Claims@OntJailStaffLockdowns.ca, or |
| by mail: | Ontario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions Administrator c/o Deloitte LLP PO Box 7545 STN ADELAIDE Toronto, ON M5C 0C4 |
The deadline to submit a Claim is December 1, 2026.
There are two Claim Forms for this Settlement:
- the Ontario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions Settlement Claim Form (the “Claim Form”); and
- Who: Inmates and immigration detainees
- What: Experienced 16 or more staffing-related lockdowns
- When: Incarcerated between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017
- the Ontario Corrections Staffing-Related Lockdowns Class Actions Settlement Statute-Barred Claim Form (the “Statute-Barred Claim Form”).
- Who: Inmates and immigration detainees who were legally unable to start a lawsuit due to a mental health or other health condition
- What: Experienced 16 or more staffing-related lockdowns
- When: Incarcerated between May 30, 2009 and August 14, 2014 (for inmates) or August 10, 2014 (for immigration detainees)
Class Members who experienced staffing-related lockdowns after May 30, 2009 but before August 15, 2014 (for inmates) or August 11, 2014 (for immigration detainees) may still be eligible for compensation if they can show that they were legally incapable of starting a lawsuit during that time. In this case, Class Members are required to submit both the Statute-Barred Claim Form and the regular Claim Form.
More details about who may be eligible for compensation and how to submit a Claim are available on the settlement website (OntJailStaffLockdowns.ca), and are summarized in the short-form and long-form Notice of Settlement Approval.
Claims Deadline: December 1, 2026
Documents Related to this Update
- View a copy of the short-form Notice of Settlement Approval here (English /French).
- View a copy of the long-form Notice of Settlement Approval here (English /French).
- View a copy of the Claim Form here (English /French).
- View a copy of the Statute-Barred Claim Form here (English /French).
- View a copy of the Settlement Agreement here.
- View a copy of the amended Exceptional Circumstances Protocol here.
- View a copy of the Settlement Approval Order in the Lapple Action here.
- View a copy of the Court’s reasons for approving the Settlement here.
How Do I Get More Information?
For more information, please reach out to us by email or by phone at 1-855-772-3556.
You can also reach out to the Administrator at the following contact information:
Ontario Corrections Staffing-Related
Lockdowns Class Actions Administrator
c/o Deloitte LLP
PO Box 7545 STN ADELAIDE
Toronto, ON M5C 0C4
Toll-Free Telephone: 1-844-742-0825
Email: info@ONTJailStaffLockdowns.ca
Website: ONTJailStaffLockdowns.ca
Other Documents
- View a copy of the long-form Notice of Certification in the Dadzie Action here (English /French).
- View a copy of the Amended Amended Statement of Claim in the Lapple Action.
- View a copy of the Amended Amended Statement of Claim in the Dadzie Action.
- View a copy of the November 27, 2017 Certification Order in the Lapple Action.
- View a copy of the November 27, 2017 Certification Order in the Dadzie Action.
- View a copy of the long-form Notice of Certification in the Lapple Action here (English /French).
