Law and justice

Randall Hopley is led out of the Cranbrook, B.C., courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011. British Columbia’s premier says he is “deeply disturbed” that Hopley, a high-risk sex offender, is on the loose after failing to return to his halfway house in Vancouver this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland

B.C. premier ‘deeply disturbed’ high-risk sex offender Hopley on the loose

‘I don’t understand why there weren’t sufficient safeguards put in place’

Randall Hopley is led out of the Cranbrook, B.C., courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011. British Columbia’s premier says he is “deeply disturbed” that Hopley, a high-risk sex offender, is on the loose after failing to return to his halfway house in Vancouver this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland
The Supreme Court of Canada is seen, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. Canada’s top court has ruled that applying mandatory minimum sentences to the offence of child luring is unconstitutional. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Minimum child luring sentences unconstitutional says Canada’s Supreme Court

Such sentences violate Charter-protected right against ‘cruel and unusual treatment or punishment’

The Supreme Court of Canada is seen, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. Canada’s top court has ruled that applying mandatory minimum sentences to the offence of child luring is unconstitutional. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Psilocybin mushrooms sit on a drying rack in Springfield, Ore., Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. One of three magic mushroom stores that were raided by Vancouver police this week has already reopened, and the owner says his other two are restocking and will be open again on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Craig Mitchelldyer

Raided B.C. magic mushroom stores quickly reopening for business

Vancouver Police Department report seizing ‘a variety of controlled substances’

Psilocybin mushrooms sit on a drying rack in Springfield, Ore., Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. One of three magic mushroom stores that were raided by Vancouver police this week has already reopened, and the owner says his other two are restocking and will be open again on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Craig Mitchelldyer
Mary Moreau poses in an undated handout photo. The chair of the independent advisory board tasked with helping fill a vacancy on Canada’s top court says they were looking for a candidate who was an expert in both criminal and constitutional law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Court of Queen’s Bench

Women take majority of Supreme Court for first time in Canada’s history

Alberta’s Mary Moreau has been nominated to join the top court

Mary Moreau poses in an undated handout photo. The chair of the independent advisory board tasked with helping fill a vacancy on Canada’s top court says they were looking for a candidate who was an expert in both criminal and constitutional law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Court of Queen’s Bench
Dawn Walker walks out of provincial court after being sentenced in Saskatoon on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Conditional sentence for mom accused of faking death, taking child over border

Dawn Walker sentenced in connection to 2022 incident that sparked searches in Saskatchewan

Dawn Walker walks out of provincial court after being sentenced in Saskatoon on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Cyclists ride past a neon Chinatown sign in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday Aug. 18, 2016. A man accused of stabbing three people lost his bid to seal a document that identified him as a "significant threat" before he was release from a forensic psychiatric hospital. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Public needs to see reasons Chinatown stabbing suspect released: review

Panel rules open process overrides concerns release invades privacy or prejudices an upcoming trial

Cyclists ride past a neon Chinatown sign in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday Aug. 18, 2016. A man accused of stabbing three people lost his bid to seal a document that identified him as a "significant threat" before he was release from a forensic psychiatric hospital. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The judge overseeing the hearing reviewing federal efforts to protect the endangered northern spotted owl says he is grappling with why the minister responsible waited eight months to recommend an emergency protection order to cabinet with only one wild-born animal remaining. In this May 8, 2003 file photo, a northern spotted owl sits on a tree in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Don Ryan

B.C. judge ‘wrestling’ with 8-month spotted owl protection gap

Federal government decided this month it would not go ahead with an emergency order

The judge overseeing the hearing reviewing federal efforts to protect the endangered northern spotted owl says he is grappling with why the minister responsible waited eight months to recommend an emergency protection order to cabinet with only one wild-born animal remaining. In this May 8, 2003 file photo, a northern spotted owl sits on a tree in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Don Ryan
An environmental group is in Federal Court in Vancouver challenging what it describes as Ottawa’s failure to protect the endangered northern spotted owl despite an “imminent threat” to its recovery. In this May 8, 2003 file photo, a northern spotted owl sits on a tree in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Don Ryan

Environmentalists in B.C. court to force spotted owl protection action

Group wants emergency federal order to halt ‘imminent threat’ in Fraser Canyon

An environmental group is in Federal Court in Vancouver challenging what it describes as Ottawa’s failure to protect the endangered northern spotted owl despite an “imminent threat” to its recovery. In this May 8, 2003 file photo, a northern spotted owl sits on a tree in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Don Ryan
Police say an unoccupied cargo vehicle rolled into traffic, killing a pedestrian on a sidewalk. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Charges laid in connection to runaway van that killed Surrey mom in 2020

Paramjit Kaur Masutta was struck at about 2:15 p.m. Dec. 15 near 144 Street and 61A Avenue

Police say an unoccupied cargo vehicle rolled into traffic, killing a pedestrian on a sidewalk. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
<div>The jury in a British Columbia Supreme Court murder trial has been told that an expert witness didn’t finish her testimony because she was dead. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Ali trial in killing of B.C. teen resumes after lengthy break

Jury in B.C. Supreme Court murder trial told witness died before finishing testimony

<div>The jury in a British Columbia Supreme Court murder trial has been told that an expert witness didn’t finish her testimony because she was dead. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
Dozens of court cases in B.C. have been postponed or cancelled this year because no sheriff was available to protect the court. (Photo courtesy of Province of B.C.)

B.C. sheriffs call for extraordinary pay hike prior to new contract

Service has been dealing with staffing issues that in turn have clogged the court system

  • Oct 16, 2023
Dozens of court cases in B.C. have been postponed or cancelled this year because no sheriff was available to protect the court. (Photo courtesy of Province of B.C.)
The Supreme Court of Canada is seen on Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. Canada’s top court is expected to rule today on the validity of the federal government’s environmental assessment legislation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Supreme Court says feds went ‘overboard’ on climate change law

Court rules in split decision that major development legislation intrudes into provincial business

The Supreme Court of Canada is seen on Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. Canada’s top court is expected to rule today on the validity of the federal government’s environmental assessment legislation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5

Global fish farm giant Mowi suing Canada for Discovery Islands closures

Mowi’s claim alleges federal decision ‘wiped out 30 per cent’ of its business

  • Oct 12, 2023
Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5
Police officers patrol on foot along Albert Street as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions marked by gridlock and the sound of truck horns reached its 14th day, in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The court is expected to hear from Ottawa locals who lived in the midst of the “Freedom Convoy” trial as part of the criminal trial of two of the protest organizers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Ottawa resident testifies to Freedom Convoy ‘fouling’

Residents start testifying in the criminal trial of protest organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber

Police officers patrol on foot along Albert Street as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions marked by gridlock and the sound of truck horns reached its 14th day, in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. The court is expected to hear from Ottawa locals who lived in the midst of the “Freedom Convoy” trial as part of the criminal trial of two of the protest organizers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A nearly two decade-long court battle over the fate of three Hells Angels clubhouses in British Columbia has likely been ended by the Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to hear an appeal from the biker club. Members of the Hells Angels arrive at a property in Langley, B.C., on July 25, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hells Angels appeal of B.C. clubhouse seizures rejected

Supreme Court refuses to hear biker club’s appeal of Nanaimo, Kelowna, Vancouver forfeitures

A nearly two decade-long court battle over the fate of three Hells Angels clubhouses in British Columbia has likely been ended by the Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to hear an appeal from the biker club. Members of the Hells Angels arrive at a property in Langley, B.C., on July 25, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against Toronto-Dominion Bank alleging it failed to pay or properly pay its mobile mortgage specialists vacation and/or public holiday pay on their commissions, volume bonuses and other variable payments. A person walks past a TD Bank sign in the financial district in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alex Lupul

TD mobile mortgage specialists file class action suit

Case alleges more than 1,000 people did not receive their proper vacation and holiday pay

A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against Toronto-Dominion Bank alleging it failed to pay or properly pay its mobile mortgage specialists vacation and/or public holiday pay on their commissions, volume bonuses and other variable payments. A person walks past a TD Bank sign in the financial district in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alex Lupul
<div>The evidence put forward by the Crown and defence in the criminal trial of two prominent “Freedom Convoy” organizers is so similar, it reflects something of a Rorschach test for how people feel about the massive protest, said associate criminology professor Michael Kempa. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>

‘Rorschach test’: Freedom Convoy trial hinging more on attitude than evidence

Analyst weighs in as high-profile trial set to reconvene this week after a lengthy break

<div>The evidence put forward by the Crown and defence in the criminal trial of two prominent “Freedom Convoy” organizers is so similar, it reflects something of a Rorschach test for how people feel about the massive protest, said associate criminology professor Michael Kempa. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>
Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Rick Mihic, a senior investigator at Vancouver City Savings Credit Unit, says a bank account registered to Ibrahim Ali shows transactions in Burnaby on July 18, 2017, the day a 13-year-old was murdered in a B.C. park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bank records show accused Ali in same city as victim on day of B.C. murder

A bank account registered to Ibrahim Ali shows transactions in Burnaby, B.C.,…

Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Rick Mihic, a senior investigator at Vancouver City Savings Credit Unit, says a bank account registered to Ibrahim Ali shows transactions in Burnaby on July 18, 2017, the day a 13-year-old was murdered in a B.C. park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)

6-month conditional sentence for B.C. woman who started 2 wildfires

Angela Cornish pleaded guilty to two arsons near the southern Interior community of Lac Le Jeune

Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)
Members of the Gitxaala Nation, including Chief Councillor Linda Innes, front right, march to B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Court rules B.C. must fix mineral claims system after Indigenous challenge

Judge says B.C. has a duty to consult, but rejects bid to quash existing claims

Members of the Gitxaala Nation, including Chief Councillor Linda Innes, front right, march to B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck