Class action lawsuit against oil companies over climate damages launched by B.C. group
A B.C. environmental advocacy group is urging residents and municipalities across the province to join a class action lawsuit against oil companies over climate damages.
The campaign titled "Sue Big Oil" is being driven by West Coast Environmental Law, a non-profit group of environmental lawyers and strategists. According to the campaign website, the aim is to launch legal action against companies for “a portion of climate costs in B.C. communities.”
The group pointed to the costs associated with rebuilding after last year’s flood and wildfires, as well as the human toll of B.C.’s heat dome.
The move would be a first in Canada, but there is a possible precedent. Last year a Dutch court ruled Shell must slash its emissions harder and faster than planned, a ruling considered to be a landmark win for activists turning to courts to force climate action.
UBC professor and lawyer Stepan Wood said the logic of climate accountability is “simple.”
“Companies that profit from selling a product they know is harmful should pay their share of the costs of the resulting harm,” he told CTV News.
Discussing possibilities for how to pursue a class action again oil companies, Wood said they were “numerous” and include "private nuisance, public nuisance, negligence, conspiracy and strict liability – not to mention false or misleading advertising.”
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, with the Union BC Indian Chiefs, also spoke at Wednesday’s launch saying the people have been pushed to take matters into their own hands.
“Elected governments have not effectively held fossil fuel companies accountable for the role that they hold in driving us toward a global climate crisis,” she said.
The campaign is urging B.C. municipalities to contribute money to the legal fund, and inviting residents to sign the online declaration. No date has been set for when a possible lawsuit could be filed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
Spy service officer denies threatening Montreal man who was later imprisoned in Sudan
A Canadian Security Intelligence Service official has denied threatening a Montreal man who was later imprisoned and allegedly tortured by authorities in Sudan.
Donald Trump picks Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation's top prosecutor.
This Canadian airline will adopt Apple's new AirTag feature to help recover lost baggage. Here's how
Apple announced that a new feature, 'Share Item Location,' will help users locate and recover misplaced items by sharing an AirTag location with third parties including airlines.
Canada bracing for 'tough' talks as Trump's pick calls northern border an 'extreme vulnerability'
The Canadian government is aware it's likely in for 'tough conversations' with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration, after his border czar said there is 'an extreme national security vulnerability' he intends to tackle at the Canada-U.S. border.