In a harshly worded ruling, a Prince Albert judge has thrown out a lawsuit aimed at overturning a collaboration agreement between Cameco, AREVA and the northern Saskatchewan village of Pinehouse.
A hearing took place in Prince Albert in April, but the decision just came down last Friday.
In it, Queen’s Bench Justice A.R. Rothery says the case was frivolous and without merit.
Cameco spokesman Rob Gereghty says the ruling comes as no surprise.
“Well, we have said for some time now that this is an abuse of the legal process and a frivolous lawsuit. The judge left no doubt whatsoever that that was the judge’s opinion.”
The collaboration agreement will provide about $200 million in economic benefits to the community over 11 years.
The challenge was launched by a local group of concerned citizens who claimed the deal was secretive and could destroy the way of life for local residents.
Not only did they lose their case, they were ordered to pay $16,000 in court costs — $2,000 to each of the eight defendants in the case.