In a historic judgment made public on June 1, 2015, Justice Brian Riordan of the Quebec Superior Court found in favour of two Quebec class actions against the three tobacco companies Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and JTI-MacDonald. Justice Riordan ordered the three companies to pay more than $15 billion in moral and punitive damages to almost 100 000 Quebec smokers and ex-smokers who developed emphysema, lung cancer, or throat cancer. The three companies, who “chose profits over the health of their customers”, must make an initial deposit of over $1 billion in the next 60 days, whether or not the matter is appealed, in order to compensate the victims according to parameters that will be determined by the Court.
To read the judgment, click here.
Link to the Létourneau class action on addiction page and registration form
Link to the CQTS-Blais class action on tobacco related diseases page
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Plaintiffs’ attorney:
Trudel Johnston & Lespérance
(514) 871-8385
info@tjl.quebec
