Alberta to sue tobacco manufacturers
Posted by Suzy Thompson in Politics
The Alberta government has announced plans to file suit against tobacco manufacturers to recoup $10 billion it estimates it spent treating Albertans' tobacco-related illnesses.
Health Minister Fred Horne said in a May 30 press release that diseases associated with tobacco use are responsible for the deaths of 3,000 Albertans every year.
Health spokesperson Bart Johnson was unable to say which tobacco companies are being sued, but did say the lawsuit has been "in the works" since 2010.
"We've had a law firm on board for a year now and... we're in a position where we can file a statement of claim, and we'll do that in the next two weeks," says Johnson.
The province is joining ranks, and is expected to collaborate to some degree, with BC, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Ontario, which have also filed similar suits. The Alberta government says Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec are expected to file suits in the near future.
Alberta retained Tobacco Recovery Lawyers LLP in June 2011 on a contingency basis to pursue this case.
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Comments: 4
hbomb wrote:
on May 30th, 2012 at 4:50pm Report Abuse
Hoser wrote:
on May 30th, 2012 at 7:38pm Report Abuse
Agent666 wrote:
That worked well with marijuana, etc, too, then?
This is a cash grab, dressed up as something socially-responsible. Redford's leadership and election campaigns were bankrolled by unions (teachers, AUPE), construction companies, and other interests, and now she's got to find a way to pay for those unaffordable pension liabilities, porkbarrel infrastructure projects, and other costs. This is also the real reason for things like the impaired driving law: similar (and illegal, under the Charter) legislation in BC brought in over $30M, in fines.
The courts can, and should toss these lawsuits out. Whatever one thinks of tobacco companies, people are deluding themselves if they think these cash grab lawsuits will stop with that sector. Redford's new pet bulldog, Ric McIver, is already musing about extending the Judge Dredd, Charter need not apply policing and confiscation model to speeders. And Albertans should realise that the $10B Ally McRedford wants to get ahold of will NOT go to healthcare--it would go straight into the teachers' pension funds, or some megaproject. Thanks to voters in the last election, we have four more years of this corrupt, profligate government.
on May 31st, 2012 at 1:46pm Report Abuse
Agent666 wrote:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/05/31/edmonton-law-firm-tobacco-redford.html
on May 31st, 2012 at 3:05pm Report Abuse
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