The Government of Saskatchewan is welcoming a historic decision that will see the province receive approximately $700 million from a groundbreaking tobacco compensation plan.
Last week, the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Ontario approved a compensation agreement with tobacco companies that will result in a $32.5-billion payout, marking the largest settlement of its kind in Canadian history and the third-largest globally.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill expressed his satisfaction with the ruling. "Our government is pleased with the decision made in Ontario last week," he said. "These funds will support our ongoing cancer care and prevention efforts for the people of our province."
The compensation plan aims to:
- Inject significant funding into provincial and territorial healthcare systems, improving treatment and care.
- Provide compensation to individual victims of smoking.
- Hold cigarette manufacturers accountable for past conduct and wrongful practices.
This settlement further strengthens Saskatchewan's commitment to reducing smoking rates and supporting prevention, cessation, and enforcement efforts, particularly with regard to youth access to tobacco, nicotine, and vapour products.
For more information on tobacco and vapour products in Saskatchewan, visit Saskatchewan’s Tobacco and Vapour Products Page.