"Lawyers say the decision sets a precedent for future class-action lawsuits"

"The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has opened the door to punitive damages in a class-action lawsuit regarding contamination from “forever chemicals” called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on people’s private property.

Lawyers behind the class-action lawsuit, which relates to contamination in Mississippi Mills, Ont., say the March 9 decision by Justice Robert Smith sets a precedent for similar cases.

Thousands of chemicals are part of the PFAS family, and some have been linked to liver and prostate cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, fatty liver disease and to affecting lipid function, which is linked to Type 2 diabetes."

Jonathan Migneault reports for CBC News March 30, 2026. [2]