Canadian Press
June 9, 2012
Half of Canadian provinces have now sued big tobacco companies in an attempt to recoup health costs, with the Quebec government announcing a $60 billion lawsuit Friday.
Five provinces have now filed similar lawsuits - British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec - while five others have announced plans to do the same.
In the United States, such actions have been resolved with a huge out-of-court settlement - of at least US$206 billion over 25 years.
The lawsuits from provinces are separate from historic class-action lawsuits being launched by smokers and former smokers in Quebec. Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier said he wouldn't share many details of the government's case outside the courtroom, but he did say the government believes tobacco companies were not forthcoming in the past with information about the hazards of smoking.
http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Quebec ... story.html
Quebec sues tobacco companies for $60B
Province seeking to recover costs of treating smoking-related illnesses
CBC News
Posted: Jun 8, 2012 12:08 PM ET
The Quebec government announced on Friday it is launching a $60-billion lawsuit against 11 tobacco manufacturers.
The legal action comes nearly three years after the province passed legislation to seek damages from cigarette makers for the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses.
The suit covers a 60-year period between 1970 and 2030.
The lawsuit alleges that tobacco companies hid the health risks of smoking for several years and should be held liable.
Health Minister, Yves Bolduc, said that there is a progressive control over smoking but that there are no plans to ban the sale of tobacco products.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ ... alcomments
