Justice McEwen (again) rejects requests to accelerate CCAA process.

Justice McEwen's decision to grant the tobacco companies the 5 month extension on their creditor proofing was made yesterday, but released today. A week was added (from March 6 to March 12) to accommodate his availability.

As reported here yesterday, both the Quebec class action and the Quebec government had requested that the comeback hearing be scheduled at an earlier date.

The judge also gave the Canadian Cancer Society a very short leash with which to participate in the process. How short will be revealed when he issues his reasons later. But too short to be part of any mediation discussions (at this time).

The next major event in these proceedings is a "plenary meeting" of all the participants on October 8. Where it is and what it is intended to cover, I cannot tell you -- that information is just one more in a long line of secrets.