Blood Money or Lifeline?

Blood Money or Lifeline? BC’s $3.6 Billion Tobacco Settlement Must Heal, Not Harm

British Columbia has received its first installment of a historic $936 million as part of a $3.6 billion tobacco settlement. Global News. This money comes from a lawsuit against tobacco giants like JTI-Macdonald, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco, who deceived and harmed generations of British Columbians. Red FM, The Tyee.

But here’s the question: Will this money be a lifeline for those suffering from addiction, overdose, and systemic neglect—or will it become another tool for bureaucratic profiteering and corporate capture?

This Is Not Just Money. It’s Blood Money.

Every dollar in this settlement represents lives lost to tobacco addiction. Lives that were destroyed by corporate greed. Lives that were stolen by a system that prioritized profit over people.

To use this money irresponsibly is to dishonor those lives. To let it be consumed by administrative waste, corporate contracts, or ineffective programs is to perpetuate the very systems that caused the harm in the first place.

The People Are Watching. And They’re Ready to Act.

British Columbians are not passive recipients of this settlement—they are active stakeholders. They are parents, survivors, advocates, and community leaders who demand accountability. The Tyee

If the government fails to use this money to build a better future—through wellness programs, harm reduction, housing, and community-led initiatives—it will face public backlash. Communities will organize. Voices will rise. And the government will be held accountable. Richmond News

What Needs to Happen

• Immediate Action: Allocate a significant portion of the settlement to expand wellness programs, harm reduction services, and housing for those in recovery.
• Community-Led Oversight: Establish a transparent, community-led board to oversee the allocation and use of these funds.
• Accountability: Regularly report on the outcomes of funded programs and ensure that funds are used effectively and ethically.

A Call to Action

To those in power: The people are watching. Use this money to heal, not to perpetuate harm. Honor the lives lost and build a future where wellness, dignity, and justice are accessible to all.

To the people: Hold your leaders accountable. Demand transparency. Demand action. Together, we can turn this blood money into a lifeline. BC Legislature Hansard