Class Actions Symposium 2026

9:00 a.m. Welcome & Introduction from the Chairs

9:05 a.m. Cross-Country Check-Up

We begin the conference with a discussion about new and emerging issues in class actions across Canada, including a review of some of the key cases in different jurisdictions and their impact on the national practice.

John McKiggan, McKiggan Hebert Lawyers
Evatt Merchant, Merchant Law Group
Erica Shadeed, Dentons
Christopher Wayland, Counsel, Crown Law Office, Civil, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

10:00 a.m. Practical Guidance to Handle Determination of Liability Issues in Individual Proceedings

• Overview of liability determination in individual proceedings
• Case law updates impacting liability determinations
• Practical strategies for counsel
• Common pitfalls and risk management

Luciana P. Brasil
Michael Eizenga, LSM, Bennett Jones LLP

10:45 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. Competition Law Changes

• Overview of recent Competition Act amendments and their significant for class actions
• Expanded ability for private parties to bring cases before the Competition Tribunal
• New remedies and procedural framework

The Honourable Justice Andrew D. Little, Federal Court of Canada, and Chair of the Competition Tribunal
Nikiforos Iatrou, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Linda Visser, Siskinds LLP

11:45 a.m. Class Actions Too Big to Certify

• Why some proposed class actions fail the certification test, including recent decisions
• Common challenges
• Strategic alternatives to full certification

Jacqueline M. Palef, Branch MacMaster LLP
David Sterns, Sotos LLP

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Keynote Presentation – “Brain Health and Well Being for Legal Professionals”
Dr. Mark Fenske, Professor in Psychology (Neuroscience & Applied Cognitive Science), University of Guelph

2:15 p.m. Class Action Law Around the World
Hear from class actions experts from around the globe on new and emerging issues and trends in class actions.

Suzanne Chiodo, Assistant Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School
Michael Duffy, Associate Professor and Director of the Corporate Law, Organisation and Litigation Group in the Department of Business Law and Taxation, Monash University
Deborah Hensler, Judge John W. Ford Professor of Dispute Resolution at Stanford Law School
Rachel Mulheron, Professor of Tort Law and Civil Justice at the Department of Law, Queen Mary University of London

3:00 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. Managing Discovery Productions Both Pre and Post Certification

• Explore best practices for handling discovery obligations in class actions at different stages
• Understand pre-certification discovery: scope, proportionality and strategic considerations
• Navigate post-certification production: managing large volumes of document and data efficiently
• Learn practical tips for leveraging technology-assisted review and e-discovery tools

Marlon Hylton, CEO, Innov-8
Susan Wortzman, MT>8

4:00 p.m. Plaintiff vs Defence Challenge
A fun, interactive class actions knowledge game. Details to come.

5:00 p.m. Wine & Canapés Reception

Join us immediately after the last session for an opportunity to connect with peers and experts from across the country.

9:00 a.m. Welcome & Introduction from the Chairs

9:05 a.m. AI in Class Actions

• Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming class action practice
• Examine recent trends and case law on the use of AI
• Practical guidance for counsel on how to navigate this emerging and evolving area

Marie Audren, Audren Rolland LLP
Sarah Whitmore, Torys LLP

9:45 a.m. Securities Class Actions

• Examine the current landscape of securities class actions in Canada, including trends and emerging risks
• Review recent case law on misrepresentation, disclosure obligations and secondary market liability
• Discuss certification challenges unique to securities claims
• Explore the role of expert evidence in damages modeling and market impact analysis

Shawn K. Faguy, Faguy & Co.
Golnaz Nayerahmadi, Rochon Genova LLP

10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. Third Party Funding

• Understand the growing role of third party litigation funding in Canadian class actions
• Explore disclosure obligations, cost implications and ethical considerations for counsel
• Practical tips for structuring funding arrangements

Remissa Hirji, Director and Counsel, Class Proceedings Committee, Law Foundation of Ontario
Naomi Loewith, Director of Strategic Partnerships – Canada, Investment Manager and Legal Counsel, Omni Bridgeway
Nick Robson, President and Principal Broker, TheJudge

11:30 a.m. Judges’ Panel: A View from the Bench
Insights from some of Canada’s leading class action judges on key issues before the courts with a focus on case management, including tips for counsel.

The Honourable Chief Justice Glenn D. Joyal, Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba
The Honourable Chief Justice Martel Popescul, Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan

12:30 p.m. Program Concludes