Two Lawsuits Filed by Halalt First Nation against Catalyst

Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, this week announced that it has been served with two Notices of Civil Claim by the Halalt First Nation and its business partners. Catalyst denies the allegations contained in both claims and intends to vigorously defend itself. 

The first claim was filed by the Halalt and its members alleging Catalyst has illegally trespassed on, and caused damages to, the Halalt's asserted territories and fisheries resources through the operation of Catalyst's Crofton Mill since 1957. The Halalt is seeking an interim and permanent injunction restraining Catalyst from conducting its operations at the Crofton Mill that interfere with the Halalt's claimed riparian, water, and land rights and are also seeking approximately $2 billion in damages.

The second claim was filed jointly by the Halalt, Sunvault Energy Inc. and Aboriginal Power Corp. alleging Catalyst disclosed certain confidential information pertaining to a proposed anaerobic digester facility in breach of a confidentiality agreement. The plaintiffs are seeking, among other things, approximately $100 million in damages from Catalyst in connection with the alleged breach of contract and a permanent injunction restraining Catalyst from constructing, owning, or operating an anaerobic digester facility.

Catalyst Paper produces diverse printing papers such as coated freesheet, C1S, coated and uncoated groundwood, newsprint, directory, as well as market pulp. With five mills across North America, Catalyst has an annual production capacity of 2.3 million metric tons.