Class action against school service centres for the illegal imposition of a designated uniform supplier

On September 21, 2026, our firm filed a class action against nearly thirty school service centres and school boards (hereinafter the ” CISS”). This claim seeks compensatory and punitive damages for individuals who, since September 20, 2023, have purchased, for a minor child enrolled in a school under one of the defendants, clothing that makes up the mandatory dress code from a supplier designated by that school.

Our client’s story

Our client is the mother of a young girl who currently attends École secondaire Paul-Arseneau (hereinafter the ” ESPA “), a school under the jurisdiction of the Centre de services scolaire des Affluents (hereinafter the ” CSSDA »). Noticing this year that her daughter, who has just entered Secondary III, needed new pieces of uniform, she chose to do some research rather than blindly submit to the school’s recommendations. However, it is clear that the only solution is clear: parents are forced to buy a garment that is part of the school’s official collection and that comes directly from a single supplier, namely Flip Design, which describes itself as a leader in the exclusive school uniform industry.

Thus, frustrated, but above all surprised and shocked by this imposition, the plaintiff contacted our firm to file a lawsuit. Indeed, she struggled to understand how it could be legal for a public school, which was part of a CISS, to impose a mandatory uniform line that could only be obtained from a single supplier.

The proposed class action

In accordance with the Education Act, clothing, pencils and bags are items for personal use, and are therefore not covered by free education. However, the regulation resulting from the same Act prohibits a specific brand or supply company from being taxed with respect to these items. Thus, it is prohibited for a public school to impose a specific supplier for the purchase of school uniforms.

The class action therefore seeks to compensate parents who were forced to purchase clothing from a supplier designated by the school.

The proposed class

All natural persons who, since September 20, 2023, have purchased, for a minor child enrolled in a school under one of the defendants, clothing that makes up the mandatory dress code from a supplier designated by that school;

Applications filed with the Court

Demande d’autorisation d’exercer une action collective

Current status of the case

Pending authorization by a judge of the Superior Court.

How to be part of the class action

If you meet the definition of the group covered by this class action, you are automatically part of the class action. However, we encourage you to register on our form to stay informed.