Canadians who’ve shopped on Amazon could be part of a new proposed class-action lawsuit against the world’s largest online retailer.
Quebec law firm Lex Group published a notice stating that it filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Amazon. The retailer faces allegations that it participated in a retail price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated prices across multiple online marketplaces.
A similar lawsuit was filed in the U.S. in 2022 in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Francisco. On April 20, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the public release of evidence “clearly showing Amazon’s illegal price fixing scheme that is artificially driving up prices for Americans.”
In Canada, the lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of Quebec in Montreal on April 21 against Amazon.com, Inc., Amazon.ca, Inc., Amazon.com.ca ULC, and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services ULC.
The allegations
According to the court document, Amazon allegedly contacted vendors when products were listed at lower prices on competing retailers’ websites and instructed them to “fix,” “correct,” or “manage” those prices.
“More euphemistically, Amazon instructs vendors to ‘manage’ their ‘ channels’ — meaning other retailers — to increase retail prices. These directives are backed by the threat of significant penalties for non-compliance,” reads the document.
Amazon allegedly used vendors as intermediaries to influence pricing at competing retailers, helping keep prices high across online marketplaces, thereby leaving Canadian buyers with fewer low-cost options. The document also alleges that the company trained employees to avoid creating records that could reveal evidence of the alleged scheme, with an internal document stating that it is “often better to have these conversations over the phone.”
The lawsuit alleges that Amazon violated several laws, such as the Competition Act, the Consumer Protection Act, and the Civil Code of Quebec. In addition to damages and penalties, it seeks an injunction that would require Amazon to stop the alleged conduct.
In an email to Daily Hive Canada, an Amazon spokesperson stated, “These claims lack merit, and Amazon looks forward to contesting them in court.”
In 2025, the Competition Bureau of Canada obtained a court order to investigate Amazon’s “Fair Pricing Policy,” which the bureau fears influences online pricing. This follows the Bureau’s investigation into Amazon’s marketing tactics from June 2024.
Are you eligible?
Canadian residents could be eligible for compensation if they purchased products on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com since Jan. 1, 2018. The definition for class members could change or be modified in the future.
“We will not inform you or other members of the public if and when the group definition is changed,” reads the site. “It is therefore your sole responsibility to ensure that your own personal rights and recourses are being protected at all times during the course of these proceedings.”
How much could you receive?
The lawsuit is seeking compensation for customers who allegedly paid higher prices on Amazon due to the alleged misconduct. There is no proposed amount yet, but it seeks damages equal to the difference between the prices shoppers paid and the prices that would have existed in a competitive market. The lawsuit also states that it seeks punitive damages.
What should you do next?
The lawsuit is still in the proposal stage, so for now, you don’t have to do anything. However, you can stay on top of updates by signing up online.
