About the lawsuit
This proposed class action concerns alleged unauthorized access to patients’ personal health information at three Nova Scotia hospitals:
- QEII Health Sciences Centre
- Valley Regional Hospital
- Aberdeen Hospital
The lawsuit was started by Carla Munroe on November 23, 2020, on behalf of people whose health information was allegedly accessed by Nova Scotia Health Authority employees without authorization or a valid medical reason. The claim was amended on May 12, 2026.
The allegations involve three employees and four proposed groups, or “subclasses,” based on the hospital involved and the type of information allegedly accessed:
- Aberdeen Subclass
- Central Zone Subclass
- Valley (EMR) Subclass
- Valley (Non-EMR) Subclass
The full definitions of these groups are set out in the proposed Settlement Agreement.
Nova Scotia Health Authority denies liability. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Who may be affected
You may be included in the proposed class if Nova Scotia Health Authority sent you a letter between 2018 and 2020 advising that an employee had accessed your personal health information without a valid medical purpose.
Nova Scotia Health Authority has identifying information for the people who received these letters.
Where the case stands
The parties have reached a proposed settlement. The settlement is not final and must be approved by the Court.
The Plaintiff will ask the Court to:
- certify the case as a class proceeding for settlement purposes; and
- approve the proposed settlement.
This hearing will take place on November 13, 2026 at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Halifax. Further details are set out in the Hearing Notice below.
Before the hearing, proposed class members may review the settlement and object if they do not agree with it. The Notice of Objection explains how and when to submit an objection.
If the Court certifies the action, class members will receive a further notice explaining the decision and the process for opting out of the class.
Important documents
- Notice of Action and Statement of Claim — filed November 23, 2020
- Amended Statement of Claim — filed May 12, 2026
- Proposed Settlement Agreement
- Hearing Notice
- Notice of Objection
The proposed Settlement Agreement sets out the terms of the settlement, including the definitions of the proposed class and subclasses.
Please read the Proposed Settlement Agreement, Hearing Notice, and Notice of Objection carefully. They contain important information about the proposed settlement, the certification and approval process, key deadlines, and the rights of proposed class members.