A multibillion-dollar class action BSE lawsuit against the government of Canada can move to trial, but a court date is far off, said one of the lawyers for the plaintiffs.
Ontario justice Janet Wilson denied the federal government’s leave to appeal at the end of January. That means the order stands certifying the case as a class action against the government on behalf of the Ontario national class.
The case represents about 115,000 Canadian beef producers who were raising cattle when the first BSE case was discovered in May 2003.
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Besides revenue losses, the Ontario statement of claim is amended to include a claim of misfeasance in public office against the crown, said lawyer Cameron Pallett, one of the lead attorneys representing farmers.
The original suit filed in 2005 included the federal government and feed manufacturing company Ridley Inc.
The feed company made a $6 million settlement, which will be used to fund the ongoing BSE litigation against the government.
Ridley remains as a defendant in the actions.
The class action was filed in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan and is seeking compensation for losses of more than $9 billion since 2003 when BSE closed international markets to Canadian beef producers.
