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First Nations launch $3-billion lawsuit against Ottawa

Feb 9, 2016 | 11:55 AM

First Nations are suing the federal government saying they are owed billions of dollars for failing to protect oil and gas rights on their traditional lands.

The class action lawsuit was launched by the Poundmaker and Onion Lake First Nation bands Monday, Feb. 8 on behalf of 72 First Nations across Canada.

The lawsuit alleges Indian Oil and Gas Canada (IOGC), the federal agency in charge of managing the resource reserves, allowed companies to drill next to their lands without being charged royalties.

They claim this has led to companies draining their oil reserves for decades without having to pay for it.