TORONTO - Sixty cottage owners from Hope Bay, Ont., have launched a $50-million civil suit against the federal government and an aboriginal group.

The owners lost access to the properties in January 2007 after a leasing deal with the Chippewas of Nawash had expired.

The suit, filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, is seeking general damages of $40 million and punitive damages of $10 million, plus costs.

The cottagers say they were abruptly told in December 2006 by federal officials to vacate their cottages within a month.

They said the order was issued despite federal assurances that new leases were forthcoming to extend the leases to 2015.

The statement of claim accuses the Department of Indian Affairs of "deliberate, callous" misconduct and alleges it acted in bad faith.