A class action lawsuit against Tim Hortons has officially been authorized in Quebec, and it could lead to significant compensation for customers who received a misleading email during the 2024 Roll Up to Win contest.
The case, filed by Montreal law firm LPC Avocats, centres on an incident in March and April 2024, when roughly 500,000 people received an email from an official Tim Hortons address claiming they’d won a brand-new powerboat and trailer worth $64,000. The messages, complete with recipients’ names, appeared authentic, and many believed they had won.
But shortly after, Tim Hortons admitted the emails were sent in error and confirmed no prizes would be awarded.
Thousands received an e-mail from Tim Hortons in March or April 2024 announcing that they had won a Tracker Targa 18 WT 2024 boat.LPC Avocats
Quebec’s Superior Court ruled the email conveyed a “general impression” of winning, which may violate the province’s Consumer Protection Act. The judge also pointed out that no consolation was offered — a misstep that could erode consumer trust in app-based promotions.
The class action is open only to Quebec residents who received one of the erroneous emails. Those who entered via the alternate mail-in method — involving a personal essay — are excluded.
Court filings reveal that several recipients went into Tim Hortons locations to confirm their win and were reportedly congratulated by staff and managers. One woman, hospitalized at the time, even told her nurses she planned to take them on a boat cruise with her prize.
The lawsuit, which was authorized on June 27, requests that Tim Hortons either deliver the boats or provide $64,000 in cash. It also seeks $10,000 in punitive damages per person, plus additional compensation for stress and emotional distress.
With class status granted, the case is headed to trial. Affected customers don’t need to take action now, but details and sign-up options are already available at lpclex.com.
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