Quebec Firm Faces Class-Action Lawsuit for Alleged Fake Maple Syrup Production
A recent class-action lawsuit has emerged against a Quebec company accused of selling fake maple syrup. The lawsuit, submitted to Quebec Superior Court, targets 9227-8712 Québec inc., operating as “Érablière Steve Bourdeau.” The business is based in Saint-Chrysostome, located in the Montérégie region southwest of Montreal.
Details of the Lawsuit
The class-action request is currently pending authorization. The filing claims the company deceived consumers by labeling its syrup as “pure” and misrepresenting its origin as Quebec when it allegedly came from elsewhere. The lawsuit is based on an investigative report by Radio-Canada’s program Enquête.
Investigative Findings
Enquête tested five cans of syrup purchased from grocery stores. Laboratory results indicated that each can contained at least 50 percent cane sugar. All tested samples were sourced from Bourdeau’s company.
The lawsuit alleges that Bourdeau knowingly misled “millions of consumers in Canada regarding the composition, quality, or origin of its cans of maple syrup.” The filing was initiated by the law firm Slater Vecchio on behalf of plaintiff Maude Fraser-Jodoin.
Potential Damages
Fraser-Jodoin is seeking punitive damages of $100 for each group member included in the class. If approved, the action will encompass all individuals who purchased the syrup since April 7, 2023.
Sales and Company Response
Steve Bourdeau stated that his company sold hundreds of thousands of cans in the previous year. During a conversation with Radio-Canada, he claimed that his prices were competitive and that he did not alter his syrup. Bourdeau speculated that he may have received an inferior batch and committed to investigating the issue but showed little urgency in addressing the complaints regarding the syrup’s quality.
Facing scrutiny, some grocery stores in Quebec have begun allowing customers to return unopened cans. Metro spokesperson Geneviève Grégoire confirmed that all affected products were removed from store shelves as soon as the situation was recognized.
