B.C. city joins province’s ‘forever chemicals’ class-action lawsuit

Deputy Premier and Attorney General Niki Sharma looks on during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

The B.C. city of Penticton will be representing municipalities in a class-action lawsuit against the makers of so-called “forever chemicals” for contaminating drinking-water systems.

The B.C. government launched the lawsuit in 2024 against manufacturers of consumer products that contain the PFAS chemicals, saying they could contaminate the environment for centuries and threaten people’s health.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma says in a statement Wednesday that Penticton has joined the lawsuit to represent municipalities “on the front lines” as they deal with the chemicals contaminating drinking water.

Sharma says the city has already played a leading role in testing and monitoring water systems, while co-ordinating with other municipalities to mitigate the chemicals’ impact on residents.

The province says the chemicals may be connected to health problems such as certain cancers, weakened immune systems, thyroid problems, reproductive issues and developmental problems in children.

The lawsuit targets 12 companies, including 3M and DuPont, and follows similar provincial class-action suits against tobacco makers in 1998 and opioid manufacturers in 2018 aimed at recovering health-care costs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.

The Canadian Press