Roberts v. Canada (Attorney General)
The Federal Court of Canada certified a class action seeking damages for currently and formerly incarcerated people who were confined to their cells for up to 22 hours per day and denied any meaningful human interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. These conditions were a form of “lockdown” amounting to solitary confinement, which subjected imprisoned people to inhumane rights restrictions.
The action was certified on May 30, 2025. The Crown has appealed, so the matter is currently before the Federal Court of Appeal. An update will be provided once the Court of Appeal makes its ruling.
The Federal Court’s Original Certification Decision can be found below: