B.C. Introduces Law to Make Companies Accountable for Harmful Products

Last week B.C. introduced a new law, the Public Health Accountability and Cost Recovery Act (Bill 12), to make companies legally responsible for products harmful to its citizens. This act, similar to previous ones against tobacco and opioid makers, allows governments to recover costs associated with the promotion, marketing, and distribution of products and/or to sue those associated with products that governments assert are harmful to people in B.C for damages. Premier David Eby emphasized the need to hold “big faceless corporations,” including social media and drug companies, accountable. Legal insights from McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP are available. Retail Council of Canada is concerned about the implications of this legislation and is closely watching the bill’s debate and results when it passes.