A Canadian First Nations group has filed a C$3.1bn lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments, plus 27 forestry companies, for the alleged illegal exploitation of its resources.
The Innus of Pessamit, Quebec are suing the federal government for C$500m for failing to defend their ancestral rights, while they also allege that the provincial government illegally granted logging rights without their consent.
The lawsuit names 27 forestry companies, including Abitibi-Consolidated and Louisiana-Pacific for exploiting the Innus’ resources.
Quebec Superior Court is being asked to declare the logging contracts null and void.
