B.C. launched a class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, marketers, and distributors, alleging their role in the opioid crisis. A key provision of B.C.’s class action legislation raised constitutional questions regarding B.C.’s ability to represent other governments in litigation without infringing upon their sovereignty. The Supreme Court of Canada in Sanis clarified these issues, ruling that it is constitutional for the B.C. Crown to be the representative plaintiff acting on behalf of a class of Canadian governments and agencies.
