More than 16 years after starting their measures, residents of the Saint-Georges district finally have the right time: the Superior Court of Quebec accepted on Tuesday that Alcoa is paying a total of $ 13 million to residents of the sector.
Superior Court Judge Carl Lachance presented his decision, nearly two weeks after the appeals took place at the Baie-Comeau courthouse where a dozen neighborhood residents attended the presentations.
Alcoa and the Regroupement des citoyen du quartier Saint-Georges de Baie-Comeau then presented their draft agreement that was approved out of court during mediation, culminating in a class action launched more than 16 years ago. the past. .
” The Court is of the opinion that the agreement reached is fair and reasonable. This is in the best interest of the group members who can be paid quickly. “
The class action was led by a group of citizens whose dwellings may have been contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the aluminum smelter or disturbed by dust residues.
Since 2013, Aloca no longer uses this particular process at its Baie-Comeau plant, which has allowed it to significantly reduce emissions of PAHs.
Although Alcoa agreed to the settlement, the company has always denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing and liability of any kindcan we read in judgment.
” This agreement avoids a major test for all and an investment in terms of resources for the parties and the judiciary system. “
Payment of $ 13 million
The agreement provides that the $ 13 million also covers interest, additional damages, legal costs, fees, disbursements and applicable taxes. According to the judgment document, some attorneys have worked for 17 years on this file.
Therefore, there is still about $ 8.5 million left for claims to be made by citizens.
We can read in the judge’s decision that everyone can claim were or were the owners, tenants or residents of the Saint-Georges district of Baie-Comeau before or on the date of the judgment approving the Settlement Agreement.
” This is a major issue that has affected several thousand people over the past 20 years. “
The remaining amount will be divided among residents and former residents according to a points system.
In the regulations, the Saint-Georges district is divided into five parts according to certain criteria. For example, according to the wind direction, according to the results of studies conducted to analyze the state of soil and air in houses, as well as in some cases, according to the duration of residence. in the sector.
Still according to the settlement, the amount will also vary according to the number of residents claiming. The more residents file a claim, the smaller the amount and vice versa.
Via email, the firm representing Regroupement de citoyen indicated that it did not know when the claiming process could begin. The period must begin within 60 days of the judgment, and then may be extended for six months.
During the hearings, the company argued that it would do publicity work, such as door-to-door or sending emails to reach as many residents and former residents as possible. A Baie-Comeau-based claims manager was also appointed to assist with the process.
At the time of writing these lines, the attorney representing Regroupement de citoyen did not respond to our interview request. Alcoa representatives declined to comment on the case.
Source: Radio-Canada
