The Statement of Claim filed July 18, spells out how band members were impacted in the form of water access restrictions as well as hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering limitations.

The documents state Husky was negligent in the construction and maintenance of the pipeline, became a nuisance and trespassed on band lands and violated rights through the spill.

All three bands are seeking financial reparations from Husky Energy. In total, they’re requesting $35,000,000 in compensatory payments, $20,000,000 or an amount to be determined at trial in aggravated damages and $20,000,000 in punitive damages. The bands are seeking pre and post judgment interest and the costs of legal fees to be covered by the company as well.

The plaintiffs are also requesting the courts to order Husky Energy to remediate all of the contamination caused by the 2016 oil spill.

The parties are also seeking to have the courts order Husky to “stop their continued pollution of Reserve lands, the Treaty 6 lands, and the river, including contamination migrating in, under, or through soil, surface water and ground water.”

In response to the legal action filed by the bands, Mel Duvall, a Husky spokesperson said it would be inappropriate for the company to offer comment as the matters are before the courts.

He did however note the company has worked alongside affected communities through the process.

“From the outset, we took full responsibility for this incident and worked cooperatively with downstream communities, including First Nations,” Duvall said.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas