Imposed sterilizations at the CISSS de Lanaudière (Joliette Hospital or Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital)
This class action seeks to compensate the Atikamekw women who, since 1980, have undergone a surgical procedure that affected their fertility at the CISSS de Lanaudière (Joliette Hospital or Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital) without having given their free and informed consent, in particular because of systemic discrimination, as well as their relatives who have suffered damages as indirect victims (spouses, caregivers, children, grandchildren, heirs or beneficiaries).
Latest News
On February 12, 2025, the Quebec Court of Appeal certified the class action against both the doctors and the CISSS de Lanaudière (Joliette Hospital). This decision partially reverses the Quebec Superior Court’s August 16, 2023 decision, which had certified the class action against the defendant doctors Richard Monday, Yvonne Brindusa Vasilie and the estate of Marcel Turcot but refused to authorize the action against the CISSS de Lanaudière (Joliette Hospital).
Plaintiffs U.T. and M.X. represent the class members.
The Plaintiffs filed the originating application on May 9, 2025.
You can contact us if you have any questions or to check if you are part of the class.
No trial date has been set and no settlement has been reached. No compensation is guaranteed and no deadline has been set.
The form on this page is not a claim form.
Are you a member?
You might be a member of this class action if you fit into one of these following categories:
1
Women’s Category
You must meet all criteria:
- – You are a woman of Atikamekw origin
- – AND – you have undergone a surgical procedure that affected your fertility (tubal ligation or hysterectomy);
- – AND – you did not give your free and informed consent;
- – AND – the procedure was performed at the CISSS de Lanaudière (Joliette Hospital or Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital),
- – AND – the procedure was performed in 1980 or later.
2
Category of relatives
You must meet all criteria:
- – You are a spouse, parent, child, grandchild, heir or right holder of a person in the Women’s Category (1);
- AND – you yourself have suffered damage as a result of your relative’s fertility being impaired (this harm may be psychological, for example).
Stay Informed About the Class Action
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