Lawsuit permitted in case involving labour-inducing drug utilization at New Brunswick hospital by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada has given the green light for a class-action lawsuit against New Brunswick's largest health authority, Horizon Health Network, and obstetrics nurse Nicole Ruest, to proceed. The lawsuit, which was launched in 2019, centers around allegations of a labour-inducing drug being administered at the Moncton Hospital without consent [1].
Key details of the case include:
- The lawsuit involves a group of plaintiffs who have organized as a class-action, taking legal action against both the regional health authority and the nurse.
- The court's decision to allow the lawsuit to proceed means that the court found sufficient grounds for the case to be tried rather than dismissed at an early procedural stage.
However, the available information does not provide explicit details on the specific allegations against the health authority and the obstetrics nurse, nor the precise nature of the court’s ruling beyond permitting the class-action to move forward [1].
As of now, there is no information indicating whether there has been a trial verdict or settlement in the case.
The top court's decision was reported by The Canadian Press on July 24, 2025, following Horizon Health Network and nurse Nicole Ruest's request for permission to appeal a lower-court ruling which certified the case [2]. The Supreme Court has since denied this appeal request.
It's important to note that this report does not provide any new information about the Canadian family that was allegedly kicked out of an ER due to their son's autism. Additionally, there are no updates regarding the West Nile virus, Coca-Cola's cane sugar soda launch, workplace burnout, Okanagan Lake drownings, sunscreen myths, vaccine injury program audit, or the Dartmouth retirement home's "worry bears" project.
[1] The Canadian Press. (2025, July 24). Supreme Court allows class-action lawsuit against New Brunswick's largest health authority to proceed. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/supreme-court-allows-class-action-lawsuit-against-horizon-health-network-to-proceed-1.6116598 [2] The Canadian Press. (2025, February 19). Horizon Health Network, obstetrics nurse seek permission to appeal class-action lawsuit. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/horizon-health-network-obstetrics-nurse-seek-permission-to-appeal-class-action-lawsuit-1.6008277
- The class-action lawsuit, which was launched in 2019 and centers around allegations of a labour-inducing drug being administered at the Moncton Hospital without consent, involves medical-conditions and health-and-wellness concerns, as it pertains to healthcare practices.
- The Supreme Court's decision to allow the class-action lawsuit against the Horizon Health Network and obstetrics nurse Nicole Ruest to proceed is a significant event in the field of science and health, as it indicates that the court found sufficient grounds for the case to be tried rather than dismissed, potentially setting a precedent for future medical malpractice cases.
