The court decision is another step toward a potential cross-country action by governments that paid to treat patients who took the addictive drugs.
OTTAWA — Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law allowing British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
A majority of the top court found that the B.C. law respects the legislative sovereignty of other Canadian governments. In an increasingly complex modern world, where governments assume greater regulatory roles in multi-faceted areas, there is a greater need for collaboration between governments and between courts that cross those borders, Justice Andromache Karakatsanis wrote on behalf of the majority.
"Today's Supreme Court ruling allows us to hold opioid manufacturers accountable on behalf of all Canadians, for perpetuating this crisis.We will continue this fight."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Supreme Court of Canada sides with First Nation in police funding disputeOTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada says Quebec must provide more money for a First Nations police force after acting dishonourably by refusing to negotiate the funding terms.
Read more »
Supreme Court charts path for reviewing validity of government regulationsOTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has clarified the legal path for judges when reviewing the validity of government regulations, guidelines or other such instruments.
Read more »
Historic lawsuit filed with B.C. Supreme Court alleging abuse at Vernon, B.C. schoolAfter 60 years, Syilx Okanagan woman Laurie Wilson is taking her story of alleged abuse to B.C.'s highest court.
Read more »
Supreme Court will weigh in on new mostly Black Louisiana congressional district, after electionWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will take up a new redistricting case involving Louisiana's congressional map with two mostly Black districts.
Read more »
Quebec group not happy after Supreme Court deletes unilingual rulings from websiteMONTREAL — A Quebec civil liberties group says it intends to push forward with legal action after the Supreme Court of Canada responded to its translation demand by simply removing thousands of unilingual judgments from its website.
Read more »
Supreme Court to hear challenge of law that curbs spy watchdog membersThe Supreme Court of Canada will weigh the constitutionality of legislation that limits members of a spy watchdog from using their parliamentary immunity to speak out.
Read more »