Law and justice

A lawyer for a pharmaceutical firm says holding a single trial in British Columbia to determine each province’s damages related to opioid health care costs would be a “monster of complexity.” Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in this June 20, 2012 photo.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

Pharma lawyer suggests B.C. opioid class action suit too big to certify

Johnson and Johnson rep argues certification would ‘burden’ B.C.’s justice system

A lawyer for a pharmaceutical firm says holding a single trial in British Columbia to determine each province’s damages related to opioid health care costs would be a “monster of complexity.” Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in this June 20, 2012 photo.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
A man who pleaded guilty to the incel-inspired murder of a Toronto massage parlour employee is expected to be sentenced today. The Ontario Superior Court building is seen in Toronto on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel

“Horrific’ incel-fuelled fatal sword attack results in life sentence

Then 17-year-old killed one woman, injured another motivated by violent and misogynistic ideology

A man who pleaded guilty to the incel-inspired murder of a Toronto massage parlour employee is expected to be sentenced today. The Ontario Superior Court building is seen in Toronto on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel
Defence lawyers representing two high-profile “Freedom Convoy” organizers are expected to present more new evidence today as they lay out their case. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Lich defence focuses on ‘Hold the line’ Freedom Convoy rallying cry

Statement doesn’t imply encouragement of illegal activity, protest organizer’s lawyer says

Defence lawyers representing two high-profile “Freedom Convoy” organizers are expected to present more new evidence today as they lay out their case. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Dontay-Patrick Lucas died in Port Alberni in March of 2018. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Mom, stepdad plead guilty in 2018 death of B.C. boy

Rykel Frank and Mitchell Frank admit to manslaughter in the Port Alberni death of Dontay Lucas

Dontay-Patrick Lucas died in Port Alberni in March of 2018. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in this June 20, 2012 photo. The British Columbia government goes up against dozens of health care and pharmaceutical companies in court today in a bid get certification for a class-action lawsuit over the costs of the opioid crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

B.C. opioid class action suit seeks certification in court today

Hearing expected to last a month, success would clear path to civil trial against drug firms

Prescription pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen are shown in this June 20, 2012 photo. The British Columbia government goes up against dozens of health care and pharmaceutical companies in court today in a bid get certification for a class-action lawsuit over the costs of the opioid crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Randall Hopley is shown in this undated police handout photo. The high-risk sex offender who turned himself in to police after a 10-day manhunt earlier this month remains in custody awaiting his next court date. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Vancouver Police *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Hopley still in custody, after B.C. court jump sparks 10-day manhunt

Sex offender had removed his monitoring device, next scheduled to be in court Dec. 8

Randall Hopley is shown in this undated police handout photo. The high-risk sex offender who turned himself in to police after a 10-day manhunt earlier this month remains in custody awaiting his next court date. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Vancouver Police *MANDATORY CREDIT*
The B.C. government says 10 properties in Prince George should be forfeited for their alleged use in a years-long drug trafficking operation. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. wants 10 Prince George properties seized over alleged drug ties

B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture claims properties owned by alleged drug dealer

The B.C. government says 10 properties in Prince George should be forfeited for their alleged use in a years-long drug trafficking operation. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A Victoria contractor says he was just following his client’s instructions. (Pexels photo)

B.C. contractor wins court case even though fireplace not ‘up to code’

Tribunal rules homeowner was effectively the general contractor and was made aware of the risk

A Victoria contractor says he was just following his client’s instructions. (Pexels photo)
Cameron Jay Ortis, a former RCMP intelligence official charged with breaching Canada’s secrets law, arrives for his trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Chinese diplomats and the Batman folder: what the Ortis jury didn’t hear

Information sealed by publication bans reveal authorities gravely worried about Ortis’s next steps

Cameron Jay Ortis, a former RCMP intelligence official charged with breaching Canada’s secrets law, arrives for his trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Lawyers for Ibrahim Ali have told the jury in his first-degree murder trial they will not be calling any evidence in defence of allegations he sexually assaulted and killed a 13-year-old girl in Burnaby, B.C. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, B.C., June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ali defence calls no evidence in trial in 2017 murder of B.C. girl

Lawyers say the defence has failed to meet its burden of proof, closing arguments expected soon

Lawyers for Ibrahim Ali have told the jury in his first-degree murder trial they will not be calling any evidence in defence of allegations he sexually assaulted and killed a 13-year-old girl in Burnaby, B.C. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, B.C., June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the federal government will appeal a Federal Court ruling which struck down a cabinet order which underlies Ottawa’s ban of some single-use plastics. Guilbeault arrives for a news conference, in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Canada to appeal court ruling that struck down plastic ban

Ruling found Ottawa had overstepped by labelling all “plastic manufactured items” as toxic

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the federal government will appeal a Federal Court ruling which struck down a cabinet order which underlies Ottawa’s ban of some single-use plastics. Guilbeault arrives for a news conference, in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
<div>The jury at the trial of a man accused of killing four members of a Muslim family in London, Ont., has reached a verdict. Nathaniel Veltman, left to right, defence lawyer Peter Ketcheson, defence lawyer Christopher Hicks, crown attorney Fraser Ball, crown attorney Sarah Shaikh and members of the jury attend Veltman’s trial in Windsor, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov.14, 2023 in a courtroom sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould</div>

Man guilty of running Ontario Muslim family with a truck

Nathaniel Veltman convicted on 4 counts of murder in connection to June 2021 attack in London

<div>The jury at the trial of a man accused of killing four members of a Muslim family in London, Ont., has reached a verdict. Nathaniel Veltman, left to right, defence lawyer Peter Ketcheson, defence lawyer Christopher Hicks, crown attorney Fraser Ball, crown attorney Sarah Shaikh and members of the jury attend Veltman’s trial in Windsor, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov.14, 2023 in a courtroom sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould</div>
The lawyer for Nathan Chasing Horse asked the Nevada Supreme Court to drop all charges against the former actor and self-described medicine man who is facing charges of sexual assault. Chasing Horse sits in court in Las Vegas, Monday, April 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ty O’Neil

‘Dances With Wolves’ actor asks US court to drop charges in ‘cult-like’ sex case

‘Medicine man’ Nathan Chasing Horse also facing charges in B.C. tied to status as spiritual leader

The lawyer for Nathan Chasing Horse asked the Nevada Supreme Court to drop all charges against the former actor and self-described medicine man who is facing charges of sexual assault. Chasing Horse sits in court in Las Vegas, Monday, April 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ty O’Neil
NDP MP for Victoria Laurel Collins speaks about intimate partner violence during a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. MP pushing to criminalize abusive practice of coercive control

Governing Liberals, Opposition Conservatives give initial support to NDP private members bill

NDP MP for Victoria Laurel Collins speaks about intimate partner violence during a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Convicted sex offender Randall Hopley was wanted Canada-wide after fleeing his halfway house on Nov. 4 and removing his electronic monitoring bracelet, police say. The latest images show how Hopley appeared on Nov. 4, 2023 .(Vancouver Police Department handout)

B.C. sex offender Hopley arrested in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Subject of a week-long Canada-wide search now in custody, police say

Convicted sex offender Randall Hopley was wanted Canada-wide after fleeing his halfway house on Nov. 4 and removing his electronic monitoring bracelet, police say. The latest images show how Hopley appeared on Nov. 4, 2023 .(Vancouver Police Department handout)
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear an appeal from four pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors or retailers trying to halt a proposed class-action lawsuit by the British Columbia government. The flag of the Supreme Court of Canada flies in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Drug firms fighting B.C. opioid class action suit get day in Supreme Court

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers challenging legislation that enabled case to be launched

The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear an appeal from four pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors or retailers trying to halt a proposed class-action lawsuit by the British Columbia government. The flag of the Supreme Court of Canada flies in Ottawa, on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A British Columbia judge says a man who hit and killed two University of British Columbia students while driving in 2021 should serve three years in jail and be prohibited from driving for five years. An entrance to the Richmond, B.C., Provincial courthouse is seen Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Greer

3-year sentence for man whose dangerous driving killed 2 students at UBC

Tim Goerner also prohibited from driving for 5 years in 2021 deaths of Emily Selwood and Evan Smith

A British Columbia judge says a man who hit and killed two University of British Columbia students while driving in 2021 should serve three years in jail and be prohibited from driving for five years. An entrance to the Richmond, B.C., Provincial courthouse is seen Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Greer
The judge in the first-degree murder trial of Ibrahim Ali, who is accused of killing a Burnaby, B.C., teenager six years ago, has told the jury to completely disregard the testimony of a witness who died before the end of her cross-examination. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Judge tells Ali murder jury to disregard testimony of witness who died

Expert witness Dr. Tracy Pickett was found dead prior to finishing her testimony

The judge in the first-degree murder trial of Ibrahim Ali, who is accused of killing a Burnaby, B.C., teenager six years ago, has told the jury to completely disregard the testimony of a witness who died before the end of her cross-examination. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Randall Hopley. (File photo)

Dad of Hopley’s 2011 victim says ‘justice system isn’t working’

Paul Hebert says he was not notified of Hopley’s escape from halfway house

Randall Hopley. (File photo)
Randall Hopley, 58, is wanted Canada-wide after he failed to return to his Vancouver halfway house on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. He is a convicted child sex offender and abductor. (Courtesy of VPD)

Hopley slipped ankle bracelet, search for former B.C. sex offender continues

Police say fugitive likely worried about an upcoming court appearance and took ‘deliberate actions’

Randall Hopley, 58, is wanted Canada-wide after he failed to return to his Vancouver halfway house on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. He is a convicted child sex offender and abductor. (Courtesy of VPD)