Tony Merchant, prominent Regina lawyer known for class-action lawsuits, dead at 80

REGINA — Prominent Saskatchewan lawyer Tony Merchant, well known for spearheading class-action lawsuits across the country, has died at the age of 80.

His wife, retired senator Pana Merchant, said he died Monday at their home in Regina after a battle with cancer. He would have turned 81 on Sunday, she said.

Their son Evatt Merchant said in a message the family is “tremendously proud of his work” and planning a funeral next week in Regina.

Described by some as “Canada’s class-action king,” Tony Merchant represented former residential school students in a $1.9-billion settlement, the largest in Canadian history.

His firm also launched class-action suits against companies over everything from cellphone fees and lead paint in toys to hip implants.

In January, the firm reached a $6-million settlement for plaintiffs suing Ticketmaster.

Doug Richardson, a longtime friend and fellow lawyer in Regina, said he got to know Merchant through the law, family and politics.

Richardson said they were on opposing sides during the lawsuit over residential schools. Richardson represented the churches, while Merchant worked for the students.

“I saw Tony as trying to correct a wrong that needed correcting. My firm’s job was to make sure the churches didn’t go under as a result of the claims,” Richardson said.

“You have no idea how tenacious this guy is.”

The two were also involved in the Liberal party, although at times they had different viewpoints.

“We always remained respectful, and the nice thing is Tony was always loyal,” Richardson said.

Merchant was a Liberal legislature member in Saskatchewan from 1975 to 1978.

After leaving provincial politics, he ran under the federal banner but was unsuccessful in winning a seat. His wife was appointed a Liberal senator in 2002 and retired in 2017.

Richardson recalled how Merchant often visited with his dog, which he took with him everywhere.

Merchant, admitted to the Saskatchewan bar in 1968, opened law offices in six provinces.

He was exceptional, said Richardson.

“He changed the face of legal practice with class-action lawsuits,” Richardson said.

“Tony’s action was designed to protect creditors and clients and customer interests, and he was right on that file.”

While he won many big cases, he also had brushes with controversy.

In 1983, Merchant pleaded guilty to mischief and received an absolute discharge for helping former Saskatchewan legislature member Colin Thatcher forcibly remove Thatcher’s nine-year-old daughter from her friend’s home.

Thatcher, later convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his ex-wife, JoAnn Wilson, had gone with Merchant and others to the home to get the child the day after the killing.

In 2020, the Law Society of Saskatchewan suspended Merchant for eight months after a client accused his firm of withholding settlement money until unrelated legal costs were paid.

Merchant appealed the suspension, and it was stayed by Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2025.