Two lawsuits have been filed by a Vancouver Island First Nations group as it seeks $2 billion in damages.
The Halalt First Nation has served Catalyst Paper with two notices of civil claim. The first claim alleges that Catalyst has illegally trespassed on, and caused damages to, the Halalt’s asserted territories and fisheries resources. The claims go back nearly 60 years, since the operation of Catalyst’s Crofton Mill in 1957. The group is also seeking an interim and permanent injunction to stop Catalyst from conducting operations at the Mill. Halalt is seeking approximately $2 billion in damages.
The Halalt First Nation and its business partners, Sunvault Energy and Aboriginal Power Corp., allege that Catalyst disclosed certain confidential information pertaining to a proposed anaerobic digester facility in breach of a confidentiality agreement. The groups are seeking approximately $100 million in damages from Catalyst in connection with the alleged breach of contract.
Catalyst denies the allegations contained in both claims and intends to vigorously defend itself. Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse printing papers such as coated freesheet, C1S, coated and uncoated groundwood, newsprint, directory, as well as market pulp.
