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Alberta passes bill to recoup health costs from criminals, big tobacco

Last Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009 | 10:31 AM MT

CBC News

Alberta has passed legislation allowing the province to sue criminals and tobacco companies to recover health-care costs.

Bill 48, called the Crown's Right Recovery Act, passed on Wednesday.

Once the bill is proclaimed law, Alberta could file lawsuits against drunk drivers and those convicted of violent crimes to recover any health-care costs related to their crimes.

Alberta could also sue tobacco makers or join existing lawsuits to recover health-care costs for tobacco-related illnesses. Ontario has already launched a $50 billion lawsuit while Quebec is looking to recover $30 billion.

"We are so happy that this bill has passed," said Ev Glasser, a spokeswoman with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta. "This finally opens the door for the government to hold the tobacco industry accountable."

Liberal MLA Kent Hehr, who represents Calgary Buffalo, agreed that recouping health care costs from tobacco companies is important but said he doesn't agree with the part of the bill that goes after convicted criminals.

"It's a cost-benefit analysis, and guess what? It's going to cost us more than it's ever going to benefit us. So, it's just silly."

Health minister Ron Liepert has said no policy decision has been made on whether to actually move ahead with tobacco company lawsuits because that would require a debate within government on how to proceed.

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Alberta could sue criminals to recover health-care costs

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