Health Care Cost Recovery Litigation
A brief history of health care cost recovery litigation in Canada.
In 1998, British Columbia was the first province to enact legislation holding the tobacco industry responsible for the harm inflicted by its products. The Tobacco Damages Recovery Act was challenged in court by the tobacco industry and was deemed unconstitutional. In 2000, the province responded with new legislation, the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, and relaunched its suit against the industry in 2001. In 2005, the new Act was deemed constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada and the suit was allowed to proceed.
As a result of BC's action against the industry, almost every province and territory has their own version of the Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act. Other provinces have followed BC's example and lawsuits have been filed against the industry by New Brunswick (2008), Ontario (2009), and Newfoundland and Labrador (2011). In addition, a landmark class-action suit has been launched in Québec against Imperial Tobacco Canada, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and JTI-Macdonald. Proceedings began March 12, 2012.
Documents and Resources: By Region
Please use the links below to browse information about health care costs recovery litigation in Canada.
last modified Mar 28, 2012 11:04 AM
