Tony Merchant, a well-known lawyer from Regina who played a major role in one of Canada’s biggest class-action cases, has died. CTV
Tony Merchant, one of Canada’s most recognized and controversial lawyers, has died at the age of 81. His family confirmed he passed away at his home in Regina on October 13. A funeral service will take place next week in the city.
Merchant built a remarkable and sometimes turbulent career that spanned more than five decades. He became best known for his work on the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, one of the largest class-action cases in Canadian history.
From Small-Town Beginnings to Legal Prominence
Born in 1944 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Merchant pursued degrees from both the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan before being called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1968. Over time, he expanded his legal practice into Alberta, British Columbia, and Arizona.
In 1986, Merchant founded Merchant Law Group (MLG), which grew into one of the country’s leading firms handling class-action cases. His work often focused on justice for victims and large-scale claims that shaped Canadian legal history.
Landmark Residential School Settlement
Merchant’s most high-profile work came in the mid-2000s, when his firm represented thousands of survivors of residential schools. The case led to the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement in 2006, which created a $1.9 billion fund to compensate survivors.
Merchant Law Group reportedly received $25 million in legal fees for representing claimants in the historic settlement. The case placed Merchant among the most well-known lawyers in the country, earning him both praise and criticism.
A Brief Political Career
Before achieving fame in law, Merchant also spent time in politics. He served as MLA for Regina Wascana from 1975 to 1978 and ran for the leadership of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party in 1976, but lost. He later attempted to enter federal politics in 1979 and 1980, though both campaigns were unsuccessful.
A Life of Controversy
Despite his achievements, Merchant’s career was not without controversy. In 1983, he faced legal trouble after helping former MLA Colin Thatcher take his daughter from a friend’s home following the murder of Thatcher’s ex-wife, JoAnn Wilson.
Merchant, who had represented Thatcher in a divorce case, later pleaded guilty to mischief and received an absolute discharge. The Law Society of Saskatchewan reprimanded him and imposed fines totalling $6,000.
His name surfaced again in 2013, when documents from the “Offshore Leaks” revealed that Merchant had placed $1.7 million in offshore accounts.
In 2020, he faced an eight-month suspension following a client complaint about withheld settlement funds, though the suspension was eventually stayed.
Family and Legacy
Merchant leaves behind his wife Pana and their three sons, all of whom followed in his footsteps to become lawyers.
Despite controversy, Tony Merchant leaves behind a lasting mark on Canada’s legal landscape — a man whose work reshaped class-action law and whose legacy continues through his family and firm.
