Press Conference - Announcement of a Plan of Arrangement - QCTH-Blais Class Action against Tobacco Companies

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - The Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health (QCTH) invites media representatives to a press conference to announce that a plan of arrangement in accordance with/under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) has been filed with the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in the case of JTI-Macdonald Corp., Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited and Imperial Tobacco Company Limited, and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.

At the press conference, you will hear from :

-          Ms. Lise Blais, defendant in the class action
-          Ms Annie Papageorgiou, former Executive Director of QCTH and spokesperson for the class action
-          Ms. Dominique Claveau, Executive Director of the QCTH
-          Mr. André Lespérance, lawyer and partner at Trudel, Johnston & Lespérance
-          Mr. Bruce Johnston, lawyer and partner at Trudel, Johnston & Lespérance

Here are the details of the press conference:

Date:         October 18, 2024
Location: Centre Saint-Pierre, Marcel Pepin Room
Time:        10:00 AM
Duration:  90 minutes
Format:     Speeches followed by a press conference and individual interviews

The spokespersons will present the plan of arrangement, but it is important to note that some specific details will be communicated at a later date, in line with ongoing judicial and confidential procedures.

To attend the conference, please express your interest by contacting Victor Henriquez via email at [email protected]  or by phone at 514-377-1102.

About the QCTH-Blais Class Action

Twenty-five years ago, Quebec victims of smoking came together to launch a class action lawsuit against three tobacco companies, seeking compensation for the health damage caused by nicotine. Since then, they have secured two significant victories in Quebec courts, in 2015 and on appeal in 2019. Since 2019, after the Quebec Court of Appeal ordered JTI-Macdonald, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco Canada to pay nearly $15 billion to 100,000 smoking victims in the province, these companies have filed for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. An Ontario judge immediately granted them protection from their creditors.

About the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health (QCTH)

A Quebec without tobacco. That is the bold vision of the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health (QCTH). Since 1976, the QCTH has made significant strides and will continue to lead the way by mobilizing and uniting stakeholders from various sectors to eliminate tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death in Quebec. Following its historic victory against Canadian tobacco companies in the QCTH-Blais class action on behalf of Quebec's tobacco victims, the QCTH is also committed to preventing cannabis use and vaping among young people.

SOURCE Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health

Contact Information: Victor Henriquez, Public Strategies et Conseils, 514-377-1102, [email protected]; Delia Crosina, Public stratégies et conseils,438-493-3443, [email protected]