Tobacco companies seek to suspend legal proceedings [Video]

Three tobacco giants are yet again seeking to extend an order suspending legal proceedings against them, as they negotiate a settlement with creditors in a long-running case involving an order to pay out billions to some 100,000 smokers and their loved ones.

Documents filed with an Ontario court show the companies — JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. — are asking for the stay of proceedings to remain in place until late March 2025.

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The request was set to be heard Tuesday, but court documents show the hearing has been postponed until Oct. 31, with the stay extended until then. It was previously set to expire Monday.

The delays, along with a lack of public information surrounding the case, have raised the ire of health advocacy groups that say provinces …