Canadian manufacturers of masks and other equipment for protecting against COVID-19 are seeking more than $5 billion in damages from the federal government, saying Ottawa misled them about buying and helping sell their products.

In a statement of claim filed in Federal Court, the companies and their industry association allege the government made 鈥渘egligent misrepresentations鈥� that prompted them to invest in personal protection equipment innovations, manufacturing and production.

The companies and the Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers say the government made misleading statements about markets, direct assistance, flexible procurement and long-term support over a three-year period that began in March 2020.

The emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020 spurred governments and public-health officials to implement extraordinary measures 鈥� including lockdowns, vaccine requirements and mask mandates 鈥� to prevent the spread of the disease.

The statement of claim alleges Canada鈥檚 misrepresentations resulted in about $88 million in investment losses and a further $5.4 billion in projected lost market opportunities over a 10-year period.

The federal government will have an opportunity to file a defence to the unproven allegations as the case proceeds.

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