Tobacco lawsuit settlement could add $95M to Nunavut coffers
Award part of $32.5 billion class action lawsuit involving provinces, territories
Nunavut could receive $95 million from three tobacco companies if the latest settlement proposal is accepted in a 25-year-old class action lawsuit that involves all the provinces and territories. (File photo)
The Government of Nunavut could receive $95 million from three tobacco companies if the corporate trio’s latest settlement proposal is accepted in a 25-year-old class action lawsuit that involves all the provinces and territories.
The government supports the proposed agreement, Health Minister John Main said in a written statement released Friday.
The sum would represent Nunavut’s share of a $32.5-billion settlement offered by JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd., in an Ontario court Thursday.
The provinces and territories would receive about three-quarters of the money in the settlement, and the rest would go to smaller class action lawsuit members and individuals.
“Nunavut fully supports the proposed plan of arrangement designed to secure substantial funding for our health care systems — funds that are critical for improving treatment and care in our territory,” Main said, calling it “a fair resolution to this long-standing issue.”
If the offer isn’t accepted, Nunavut is committed to pursuing its claim through the courts, he said,
“This initiative is about more than just financial recovery — it’s about strengthening our health care system and protecting the well-being of Nunavummiut.”
The case stems from alleged wrongful practices by tobacco companies from the 1950s through the 1980s, which resulted in significant health-care expenses to treat people with tobacco-related sicknesses in all provinces and territories.
The tobacco companies turned to the Ontario court for creditor protection to continue conducting business while they worked out an agreement, after losing an appeal in a Quebec court.
Health Minister John Main, shown here in the legislative assembly earlier this year, says Nunavut supports the proposed settlement with three tobacco companies. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
In 2018, Nunavummiut recorded higher smoking rates than in any of the country’s 10 provinces, according to Statistics Canada.
It found that among people who reside in the provinces aged 12 and older, the average smoking rate was 16 per cent. Data compiled from Nunavut during that same period for those aged 16 and older indicated a smoking rate of 70 per cent.
Some communities in Nunavut have reported smoking prevalence as high as 84 per cent, and 51 per cent of Nunavummiut youths aged 12 to 19 smoke which is more than six times the Canadian rate, according to Statistics Canada.
“This funding will enhance health-care services in our territory and provide better support for our communities,” Main said of the proposed settlement Friday.
“While this is not a final settlement, Nunavut supports the plan alongside other creditors and individuals affected by smoking-related illnesses.”
The GN has participated in a mediation process under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangements Act to recover the funds since 2019.
“In Nunavut, we are making concerted efforts to reduce smoking rates, but we recognize that there is still much work to be done,” Main said.
“Our goal is to create a future where no one smokes, ensuring that future generations grow up free from the health risks associated with tobacco use.”
The proposed settlement between the tobacco companies and the provinces and territories requires approval by all claimants and the court before it can be implemented.
According to a statement on the Rothmans, Benson & Hedges website, the claimants will vote on the proposed settlement in December and if accepted, a hearing for the court to consider approving it would be held in the first half of 2025.
Over 90% of Inuit women smoke while pregnant.
There are many issues to do with social development and education that are hashed out in this forum, yet this one seems to get forgotten. It’s not hard to find the negative impacts on children from being exposed to smoke in the womb. There really needs to be far more education and conversation about this. It is way, way to normal here.
Thumbs down from all the prenatal smokers!
I’m curious if anyone knows of any studies that link pre/post-natal smoking and the impact on babies and young children’s high rate of upper respiratory infections. I’ve seen so many young ones in their anana’s amautis getting a lot of second hand smoke – and the rates of RSV and other illnesses is so high. I think zero smoking is the absolute goal, but in the interim, if there is an obvious and proven link, targeting mothers might not be a bad idea (even though I hate to blame the mums)
Sad to say it but 90% is probably not high enough, it’s probably more like 97%
Thdy should add bepsi to this lawsuit
My health dietitian and I were going through what I “can” eat and absolutely should NOT eat for my health.
I asked…”You mean no more Inuk breakfast?!!😮
“What’s Inuk breakfast?” She asked.
“POP. CHIP. KUKKUK.”😍🤣
I totally agree with “smoked fetus ” being in larga a a long time now and pretty much near 100 % of adults are smokers, very common to see pregnant ladies smoking with their kids our near them, which seems like smoking encourages kids then a chain of addiction begins.
It’s a wonder, why mothers smoke while packing a baby right out in the hood. Babies catch the second hand smoke right into their faces, into their airway. What kind of parent would do that to their own child?
Ppl of the north wont even see a nickle out of this lawsuit so dont even know why they try ,everyine knows expectant mothers are mostly ciggarrette smokers and not only ciggarrettes…all too often ppl see mothers who are breastfeedung babies smoking marijuana and then a ciggarrette after the toke… so what now ?
I’ve been groundpicking for years. Large tobacco companies have made me addicted to cigarettes since I was in utero, then the amautiq, and since I have been 7, groundpicking. You owe me big time. Taima