TORONTO — ACTA has issued an update on a Quebec class action suit involving Sunwing.

According to ACTA, earlier this month a Quebec judge issued a ruling accepting the settlement offered by Sunwing to resolve a Quebec consumer class-action lawsuit where it was alleged that Sunwing breached consumer protection law by advertising that Sunwing travellers would receive a complimentary glass of champagne when travelling, when what was allegedly served was sparkling wine that does not hold the protected champagne designation.

This lawsuit was before the courts for several years. ACTA says that late last year, there was an agreed-upon settlement that would negatively impact travel agencies and independent travel agents because it required consumers to book direct with Sunwing with a discount code, bypassing travel agents.

Along with other industry stakeholders, ACTA has engaged in extensive advocacy, meeting with Sunwing senior leadership calling for a settlement that does not exclude travel agents in the booking process.

Sunwing will be launching a website where consumers can register for the code, which will accept applications for 60 days. Sunwing must also widely advertise the settlement on social media, according to the terms of the settlement.

A Feb. 28, 2023 follow-up story to this article can be found here.