Come to Court

Should Newfoundlanders have to pay to cleanup Abitibibowater’s pollution?

This is the first time Canada’s insolvency procedure is challenged to deal with the polluter pays principle, in this case, for historic contamination by Abitibibowater’s mining, shipping and pulp and paper operations in Newfoundland.

Friends of the Earth, represented by Ecojustice, will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador v. Abitibibowater Inc. The Supreme Court is considering whether insolvent corporations in Canada must fulfill their past environmental obligations to the public or whether taxpayers must bear the full cost of an environmental clean-up.

Who will be there?  Ecojustice lawyers Will Amos, Hugh Wilkins, and Anastasia Lintner are joined by insolvency law expert Graham providing pro bono advice, and are representing the only non-government intervener (Friends of the Earth Canada) in this hearing.

View the case summary, click here

On the left hand side, there is a link to “Webcast”.  You will be able to watch live during the hearing, or watch the archive once it is loaded to the Court website.

Friends of the Earth were permitted 10 minutes to speak.  Will Amos will be doing the oral advocacy.  Please join us and help give Will lots of moral support!