British Columbia Solitary Confinement
A proposed settlement worth up to $60 million has been reached in the class action against the Province of British Columbia on the use of separate confinement and/or segregation in B.C. Correctional Centres.
A hearing to seek the Court’s approval of the settlement will take place on October 22, 2025.
The lawsuit alleges that British Columbia improperly subjected people to separate confinement and/or segregation in B.C. Correctional Centres, causing them emotional, physical, and psychological harm.
Criteria
You are a class member if you were:
- detained in one of B.C. Correctional Centres
- After April 18, 2005
AND
- involuntarily subjected to Separate Confinement and/or Segregation for either
- At least 15 consecutive days
OR
- If B.C. Corrections knew or ought to have known that you suffered from a Mental Illness.
“Separate Confinement and/or Segregation” means any placement apart from the general population pursuant to ss. 17, 18, 24 or 27(1)(d) of the Correction Act Regulation, B.C. Reg. 58/2005.
To learn more about how Mental Illness is defined in the context of this settlement, please refer to the FAQ.
What does the Settlement Agreement provide for?
The parties have reached a proposed settlement worth up to $60 million. British Columbia denies liability but has opted to resolve the class action without a trial.
Eligible class members may receive up to $91,000, depending on their circumstances.
Class Members can ask for a copy of the Settlement Agreement by contacting ProActio or Class Counsel.
A hearing to seek the Court’s approval of the settlement will take place on October 22, 2025.
What are my options at this stage?
A. If you were placed in Separate Confinement and/or Segregation after December 22, 2020, you do not have to do anything right now.
If the Court approves the settlement, you will be able to make a claim at a later date for money that you may be entitled to.
If you do nothing and stay in the class, you give up the right to sue British Columbia in your own lawsuit in relation to your placement(s) in Separate Confinement and/or Segregation.
B. All Class Members who have not opted out can voice their support for or objection to the proposed settlement. Your options are:
1. Do nothing
If you support the proposed settlement, you do not have to do anything right now.
If the Court approves the settlement on October 22, 2025, you will be able to make a claim at a later date for any money that you may be entitled to.
If you do nothing, you will give up any right to object to the settlement.
2. Support or object to the proposed settlement
If you want to voice your support or your objection to the proposed settlement, you can do so by submitting a Support or Objection Form.
Your Support or Objection Form must contain:
→ your name
→ address, and
→ the reasons why you support or object to the settlement
You must send your Support or Objection Form to the Administrator by email to bcsegregation@proactio.ca or by mail to:
Proactio
Class Action – BC Segregation
600 De La Gauchetière Street West, Suite 2000
Montréal, (QC) H3B 4L8
Your form must be received or postmarked no later than September 2, 2025.
Can I claim now?
No, you cannot claim now. If the settlement agreement is approved, you will have access to an online form on this page.
In the meantime, you can fill out the online form to receive any news on the case.
More questions?
Consult our frequently asked questions to find answers to your questions!
For more details, you can also consult the notice to class members.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any questions related to this class action, please contact us at:
Proactio 418 647-3211 877 916-1122 bcsegregation@proactio.caIf you are sending your opt-out form by mail, please send it to the following address:
Proactio
Class Action – BC Segregation
600 De La Gauchetière Street West, Suite 2000
Montréal, (QC) H3B 4L8