An Ontario judge ruled foreign tobacco companies can be held liable for health costs incurred by the province, a decision that allows Ontario’s suit for CAD 50 billion (EUR 38.2 billion) against 14 firms from four multinational groups to proceed.

n a Superior Court ruling (CV-09-387984) handed down 4 Jan., Justice Barbara Conway dismissed motions by non-Canadian entities of the multinationals that argued they were not subject to provisions of the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act. The federal act is what Ontario and other provinces used to claim cost reimbursement. The provinces of British Columbia and New Brunswick also are seeking to recover health costs.
Tobacco companies belonging to Rothmans, Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds Group, and British American Tobacco are fighting Ontario’s claim. Suits by the provinces allege tobacco companies in past decades misled and withheld information regarding the health dangers posed by their products. (pi)