MEDIA ADVISORY, November 15, 2011

For immediate release

Should Newfoundlanders have to pay to cleanup AbitibiBowater’s pollution?

Why: This is the first time Canada’s insolvency procedure is challenged to deal with the polluter pays principle, in this case, for historic contamination by AbitibiBowater’s mining, shipping and pulp and paper operations in Newfoundland.

What: Friends of the Earth, represented by Ecojustice, will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador v. AbitibiBowater Inc. The Supreme Court is considering whether insolvent corporations in Canada must fulfill their past environmental obligations to the public or whether taxpayers must bear the full cost of an environmental clean-up.

Friends of the Earth CEO Beatrice Olivastri and Ecojustice lawyers will be available for comment after the hearing, which is scheduled to end at 1 p.m.

When: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Where: Supreme Court of Canada, 301 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario

For further information, please contact:

Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth (613) 241-0085 x26 or (613) 724-8690 (cell)

Pierre Hamilton, Ecojustice Communications Associate (416) 368-7533 x526

Will Amos, Director, Ecojustice Clinic at the University of Ottawa (613) 255-7505 (cell)