Catalyst Paper loses court battle over tax bill in North Cowichan

Catalyst Paper has lost its lawsuit against the community of North Cowichan, British Columbia.

Catalyst Paper did not want to pay its tax bill, arguing that they were being overcharged by North Cowichan, and that their company was treated in an unreasonable and inequitable way.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Peter Voith said municipal bylaws North Cowichan used in setting Catalyst's tax rate for its Crofton mill are reasonable. He dismissed Catalyst's claim that they are inequitable because they bear no relationship to services Catalyst consumes.

Catalyst has paid only $6 million of the $23 million it owes the four municipalities, forcing each of them into a financial crisis. In North Cowichan, Catalyst was assessed $6.7 million but paid only $1.5 million.

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Catalyst loses court fight over tax bill - North Cowichan has right to full payment from paper maker: judge (Times Colonist)