Pierre Boivin
Pierre joined Kugler Wechsler at the outset of his legal career in 1989. His practice focuses primarily on class actions, litigation, and civil liability. He has represented a wide range of clients, including survivors of sexual abuse and consumer groups, in matters involving human rights, consumer protection, product liability, and civil liability.
Pierre has helped more than 1,000 survivors of sexual abuse obtain justice for the harm they have suffered, securing total compensation exceeding $200 million on their behalf.
Pierre considers it a privilege to represent survivors of sexual abuse and understands the importance of earning and maintaining the trust they place in him.
Pierre was also a member of the legal team for the consortium that secured more than $23 billion from the Attorney General of Canada on behalf of thousands of First Nations children and families.
He was also a member of the legal team for the consortium that obtained a landmark judgment against the Canadian tobacco industry, resulting in more than $4.25 billion in compensation for hundreds of thousands of Quebec tobacco victims through a plan of arrangement under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
Pierre has been recognized by Best Lawyers® as one of Canada's leading lawyers, based on peer review, and has been named a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada's Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys.
Pierre is a frequent speaker on class actions and civil liability and has served as a legal consultant for several public affairs television programs.
He frequently acts on a contingency fee basis when clients are unable to afford the legal costs of pursuing litigation.
Pierre regularly appears before all levels of the Quebec courts. He has also represented survivors of sexual abuse before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Pierre is married and the proud father of two sons.
Best Lawyers® in Canada — Recognized among the best lawyers in Canada, as determined by their peers, in the field of class actions.
Benchmark Canada — Recognized as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Canada: The Definitive Guide to Canada’s Leading Litigation Firms & Attorneys, based on in-depth interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists, and their clients, as well as an analysis of the most significant cases and firm news.
Prix Jean-Pierre-Bélanger — One of the laureates of the 2015 special edition awarded by the Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ) [Quebec Association for Public Health].
Tremblay v. Lavoie et al. Class Action — First and, to date, only class action in Quebec to result in a judgment on the merits in favour of survivors of sexual abuse. The decision paved the way for similar class actions and numerous subsequent settlements, including claims against several religious communities, such as the Clerics of Saint Viator, involving deaf children who attended a residential school in Montreal, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the Servants of Mary (Servites), the Sisters of Charity of Quebec, the Marist Brothers, and others.
Conseil québécois sur le tabac et la santé et al. v. Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. et al. — This landmark judgment, upheld on appeal, ordered the Canadian tobacco industry to pay several billion dollars in damages to Quebec tobacco victims. Following these decisions, the Canadian tobacco companies sought protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, leading to a court-approved restructuring plan under which hundreds of thousands of Quebec tobacco victims received more than $4.25 billion in compensation.
Union des consommateurs v. Concession A25, s.e.c. — This authorization judgment approved a class action on behalf of consumers who used the A25 Bridge and were charged toll fees that had not been adequately disclosed. Following certification, the parties reached a settlement of nearly $5 million, which was approved by the Quebec Superior Court.
Union des consommateurs v. Sirius XM Canada Inc. — This certification judgment authorized a class action against Sirius XM Canada Inc. on behalf of consumers whose subscription fees were unilaterally increased in violation of Quebec's Consumer Protection Act. The proceeding subsequently resulted in a settlement in principle valued at $22 million.
Factory Mutual Insurance Company v. Richelieu métal Québec inc. — Pierre obtained a judgment exceeding $6 million, including principal and interest, against the parties responsible for the damages caused by the collapse of a roof.
Imbeault v. Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel de Maisonneuve — Pierre obtained a judgment of nearly $1 million, including principal and interest, against the parties responsible for injuries resulting in the loss of an eye.
Tremblay Lavoie et al.2010 QCCS 5945 (authorization judgment), Tremblay Lavoie et al. 2014 QCCS 3185 (judgment on the merits) and Tremblay c. Lavoie, 2014 QCCS 4955 (judgment approving the settlement following the judgment on the merits).
F. c. Frères du Sacré-Cœur, 2021 QCCS 3621.
Y c. Servites de Marie de Québec, 2021 QCCS 2712.
D.L. c. Sœurs de la Charité de Québec, 2024 QCCS 2711.
B. c. Frères Maristes 2026 QCCS 2031.
Cormier c. Ville de Longueuil 2024 QCCS 4688.
Létourneau et CQTS Impérial Tobacco Canada Ltd et al2015 QCCS 2382, upheld by the Court of Appeal (2019 QCCA 358).
Lussier c. Expedia inc., 2019 QCCS 727.
Union des consommateurs c. Sirius XM Canada In, 2018 QCCS 2137 (authorization judgment), Union des consommateurs c. Sirius XM Canada inc., 2023 QCCS 4239 (judgment approving the settlement).
Union des consommateurs c. Concession A25, s.e.c., 2013 QCCS 76.
Imbeault c. Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel de Maisonneuve 2006 QCCS 5399, upheld in substance by the Court of Appeal (2008 QCCA 1102).
Factory Mutual Insurance Company Richelieu métal Québec inc., 2009 QCCS 1057, appeal dismissed (2011 QCCA 1690).
Co-author of the article "La notion de l'affichage du prix tout compris en vertu de l'article 224 c) de la Loi sur la Protection du consommateur : Survol de la jurisprudence en action collective en droit du voyage" [The Concept of All-Inclusive Price Display under Section 224(c) of the Consumer Protection Act: An Overview of Class Action Case Law in Travel Law], in Le droit du voyage en zone de turbulence [Travel Law in Turbulent Times], edited by Gabriel-Arnaud Berthold and Louis Jolin, Éditions Yvon Blais.
Université de Montréal, LL.B., 1986
Université de Londres (King’s College de Londres), LL.M., 1988
Barreau du Québec
Barreau de Montréal
Association du Barreau Canadien
Membre du comité exécutif de l’Association du Barreau Canadien, division des actions collectives