Uber Class Action Lawsuit Launched in Ontario: Media Coverage

In January 2017, Samfiru Tumarkin LLP launched a landmark $400-million class action lawsuit against Uber on behalf of its Ontario drivers. The case challenges Uber’s classification of drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.

Why does this matter? Because if Uber drivers are recognized as employees, they are entitled to the same workplace protections as millions of other workers across Ontario — things like overtime pay, vacation pay, public holiday pay, minimum wage protections, and severance pay if their job ends.

For drivers who depend on Uber to support their families, this lawsuit is about more than just money. It’s about fairness, stability, and the basic right to be treated like employees rather than disposable gig workers.

Why We Took on Uber

The lawsuit was sparked after Uber slashed driver compensation without warning, leaving many frustrated and feeling powerless. Drivers approached our lawyers with one simple question: “What can we do about this?”

The reality is, as independent contractors, drivers had no legal safety net. Uber controlled the terms of their work — from pay rates, to assignments, to policies — but denied them the benefits of employee status. Our lawyers recognized this for what it was: misclassification.

As founding partner Lior Samfiru explained, “if you look like an employee and act like an employee, you’re an employee, even if you’ve been told otherwise.”

What This Means for Uber Drivers

For Uber drivers across Ontario, the lawsuit represents an opportunity to claim the rights that have long been denied:

• Overtime pay after 44 hours a week
• Vacation and public holiday pay
• Minimum wage guarantees
• Termination and severance pay when work is cut off

This isn’t just about one company. Misclassification is a widespread issue in the gig economy — and this case has the potential to shape worker rights across Canada.

The law firm was featured in additional reporting:

• 🎙️ 610 CKTB (St. Catharines) – January 24, 2017
• 📰 National Post – January 23, 2017
• 🎙️ 640 Toronto – January 24, 2017
• 🎙️ Newstalk 580 CFRA (Ottawa) – January 25, 2017

The Next Steps

At this early stage, the case has just been filed. Uber is expected to challenge it aggressively — pointing to its arbitration clause requiring disputes to be resolved in the Netherlands.

But our lawyers are determined. This first step will set the stage for a legal battle that will ultimately change the conversation about gig work across the country.

Speak to an Employment Lawyer About Your Rights

If you lose your job in Ontario, Alberta, or BC, don’t assume the package your employer offers you is fair. You are likely owed significantly more severance pay — as much as 24 months’ pay.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians secure the full compensation they deserve. Before you sign anything, get advice from the team that’s changed the landscape of Canadian employment law.

• 👥 Over 50,000 clients helped nationwide
• 💰 Millions recovered in compensation
• 📱 Free Termination Consultations — in many, but not all, cases
• ⚖️ No win, no fee — you don’t pay unless we succeed
• ⭐ 3,063 5-star Google reviews across all offices (4.7 average)
• 🏆 Named one of Canada’s Best Law Firms by The Globe and Mail