1) COMPENSATION

Pursuant to legislation enacted in 1982,(1) the Government revoked nearly all of the mineral rights held by landowners, including mineral rights related to hydrocarbons and brine. In return, landowners were granted royalty rights representing 3% of the value of the oil, natural gas, and other associated mineral substances extracted from the lands for which the mineral rights had been revoked.(2) These royalties constituted compensation for the expropriation suffered by the landowners.

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2) LOSS OF COMPENSATION

The Act enacted in 2022 notably had the effect of preventing landowners from benefiting from their royalty rights. In doing so, the Act removed the consideration granted in 1982 in exchange for the expropriation of mineral rights. However, the Act did not provide any compensation for royalty holders.

 

Purpose of the Class Action

The class action seeks to obtain compensation for the unilateral cancellation of these royalties without compensation.

 

Who Is Concerned?

The proposed class is defined as follows:

“All persons and their successors who, on August 23, 2022, held royalty rights relating to hydrocarbons (natural gas, oil, and the substances associated therewith, as well as brine), whether such royalty rights were granted as compensation for the revocation of mineral rights or were otherwise acquired by agreement, in connection with lands in Québec whose subsoil contains hydrocarbons that would be exploitable if such exploitation were permitted.”

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Why This Proceeding?

The class action is the only effective means of addressing the situation of the many individuals throughout Québec whose rights were revoked without compensation. It seeks to obtain justice and redress for these expropriations carried out in violation of the Civil Code and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

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Case Progress

• August 25, 2025: Filing of the application for authorization.

• January 28, 2026: First case management conference before the case management judge.

• June 22 and 26, 2026: Judgment and amended judgment regarding an application for leave to file appropriate evidence and to examine the plaintiff, Mr. Paul Langelier.

• October 28 and 29, 2026: Hearing on the application for authorization.