A B.C. Supreme Court Justice has dismissed a lawsuit a Prince George-based guide outfitter and trapper had launched against the provincial government and a long list of sawmill operators and logging companies.
In a notice of claim filed in June 2013, Harry Chingee contended the defendants interfered with his ability to run his businesses and was seeking general and special damages.
But in a decision issued Thursday, Justice Frits Verhoeven found, in part, that Chingee's claims are an abuse of process.
He found Chingee had been "amply consulted and raised few concerns" regarding a proposed forest stewardship plan for the area. Likewise, he waited until the accompanying timber sales licences were issued and the lands harvested before bringing the proceedings.
Verhoeven also found that whether Chingee had standing to make claims of aboriginal or treaty rights could have been dealt with long ago.
"Instead, having made no complaint, he now sues, seeking compensatory damages, and arguing in effect that too much logging had been allowed," Verhoeven said.
