Manitoba and Nova Scotia will join other provinces actively pursuing legal action against the tobacco industry to recover health-care costs, Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced.
“Legal action is one part of Manitoba’s comprehensive strategy to reduce tobacco use and its devastating effects on the health and well-being of Manitobans,” said Swan. “Working with other provinces, we’re taking steps to hold the tobacco industry accountable for past actions that led to increased tobacco use in the province.”
Manitoba and Nova Scotia will be joining other provinces that have already filed suit in this effort including New Brunswick, Ontario, B.C. and Newfoundland and Labrador. Quebec and Alberta have also announced their intention to pursue lawsuits.
Manitoba intends to reach a satisfactory arrangement with a consortium of law firms hired by New Brunswick to handle that province’s litigation. That group is headed by two national law firms, Bennett Jones and Siskinds, but also relies on considerable contribution from local legal representation in that province.
“I understand that New Brunswick is very satisfied with their arrangement and the work that is being done there,” said Swan.
The Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act in Manitoba gives the province the authority to sue the tobacco industry.
