The plaintiffs, former players in the Ontario Hockey League, brought a motion to certify a class action against the Canadian Hockey League, its regional leagues, and their respective teams.
The plaintiffs alleged that the players were employees and were entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay under employment standards legislation.
The court certified the action as a class proceeding for the claims of breach of employment statutes and unjust enrichment against the Ontario teams.
The court declined to certify the claims against the U.S. teams, finding that a class action in Ontario was not the preferable procedure for those claims.
The court also declined to certify redundant causes of action, including breach of contract, negligence, breach of good faith, conspiracy, and waiver of tort.
The court found that the representative plaintiffs were adequate and had no disqualifying conflict of interest with current players.
