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• Alberta passes bill to recoup health costs from criminals, big tobacco 

Alberta has passed legislation allowing the province to sue criminals and tobacco companies to recover health-care costs.

Bill 48, called the Crown's Right Recovery Act, passed on Wednesday.

Once the bill is proclaimed law, Alberta could file lawsuits against drunk drivers and those convicted of violent crimes to recover any health-care costs related to their crimes.

Alberta could also sue tobacco makers or join existing lawsuits to recover health-care costs for tobacco-related illnesses. Ontario has already launched a $50 billion lawsuit while Quebec is looking to recover $30 billion.

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