MONTREAL – Final arguments are underway in a landmark case pitting Quebec smokers against Big Tobacco.
The $17.8-billion lawsuit is believed to be the biggest class-action ever seen in Canada.
An estimated one million Quebecers are involved in the lawsuit, which is targeting three major Canadian tobacco manufacturers.
READ MORE: $17.8B tobacco lawsuit has begun in Montreal courtroom
The trial stems from two cases that were filed in 1998 and certified and consolidated in 2005 by Quebec Superior Court. The case finally began in 2012 and heard from 78 witnesses over 234 days.
Closing arguments are expected to last several weeks and a decision isn’t expected for some time.
The exhibits consist of some 27,000 documents.
The defendants are Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd.; Rothmans, Benson & Hedges; and JTI-Macdonald.
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