B.C. Court Approves National Class-Action Lawsuit Against McKinsey Over Opioid Crisis Role

A major class-action lawsuit targeting global consulting giant McKinsey & Company over its alleged role in fueling Canada’s opioid crisis has been given the green light by the B.C. Supreme Court.

The province of British Columbia will act as the lead plaintiff in a national legal action against McKinsey, which it accuses of advising opioid manufacturers and helping design marketing strategies that encouraged over-prescription of highly addictive drugs.

The suit aims to recover public health costs, including expenses for emergency care, addiction treatment, and prescription drug programs, on behalf of provinces and the federal government.

Accusations Rooted in Cross-Border Conduct

In his ruling, Justice Michael Brundrett agreed there was enough merit for the case to proceed as a class action, though he made no decision on the validity of the province’s claims.

B.C. argues that McKinsey provided strategic support to pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Canada, Janssen, Endo, and McKesson, mirroring its U.S. activities, where the firm paid $600 million USD in settlements for its role in promoting opioid sales.

The government alleges McKinsey was “the hand in the glove” — a key player behind misleading advertising that downplayed addiction risks and drove up opioid use in Canada.

McKinsey denies wrongdoing, stating it “did not undertake any work in Canada related to the sale or marketing of opioids” and plans to defend itself in court.

Legal Milestone, But No Immediate Relief

The class-action certification means a full trial will now move forward, but the judge emphasized that this decision “is not a ruling on the merits” of the case.

Attorney General Niki Sharma called the lawsuit a step toward accountability, saying it aims to reclaim the billions spent by taxpayers over nearly three decades responding to the fallout of opioid misuse.

“It’s about justice for the public and for families impacted by this tragedy,” she said.

Since B.C. declared a public health emergency in 2016, over 16,000 lives have been lost to toxic drug overdoses.

Advocates Say It’s Not Enough

Leslie McBain, founder of Moms Stop The Harm, whose son died of an oxycodone overdose in 2014, welcomed the legal effort but said urgent focus should remain on the ongoing drug toxicity crisis.

“I'm glad to hear this news,” she said. “But it doesn’t solve anything right now.”

McBain and others continue to push for immediate measures like safe supply, treatment access, and decriminalization — while holding corporations accountable for their past.

The class-action suit, if successful, could set a national precedent in how governments respond to corporate roles in public health crises — and potentially recoup massive damages from one of the world's most influential consulting firms.