Latest news with #B.C.CourtofAppeal
Global News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Global News
B.C.'s top court tosses mink farms' bid for damages after COVID-era ban
The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have 'no reasonable prospect of success,' dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response 'to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses,' namely COVID-19. The ruling says the mink farmers disputed the 'real reason' for the regulatory overhaul, claiming the province capitulated 'to the anti-fur lobby and public opinion.' 3:28 Why is B.C. implementing a phasing out approach to ending mink farms in the province? Justice David Harris' ruling for the three-judge panel says the farmers had no 'reasonable possibility' of demonstrating the province acted unlawfully. Story continues below advertisement The ruling also says it was 'misconceived' to have named B.C.'s chief public health officer and chief veterinarian as defendants. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It says dismissing the case is not a judgment on the merits of the mink farmers' claims, noting their 'sincere outrage' over their investments and livelihoods being destroyed by what they claimed was 'unjustified, arbitrary and capricious governmental action.' The ruling says the mink farms co-operated with the province during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate public health risks, which they claimed were not 'significant,' disputing the government's assertion that shutting down the industry was for 'legitimate public-health-related' reasons.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. mink farmers lose appeal for damages against province for pandemic-era ban
VANCOUVER – The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have 'no reasonable prospect of success,' dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials. The ruling posted Friday says several farms filed identical lawsuits against the provincial government after regulatory changes in 2021 made it illegal to farm mink in B.C. in response 'to the risk of farmed mink spreading respiratory viruses,' namely COVID-19. The ruling says the mink farmers disputed the 'real reason' for the regulatory overhaul, claiming the province capitulated 'to the anti-fur lobby and public opinion.' Justice David Harris' ruling for the three-judge panel says the farmers had no 'reasonable possibility' of demonstrating the province acted unlawfully. The ruling also says it was 'misconceived' to have named B.C.'s chief public health officer and chief veterinarian as defendants. It says dismissing the case is not a judgment on the merits of the mink farmers' claims, noting their 'sincere outrage' over their investments and livelihoods being destroyed by what they claimed was 'unjustified, arbitrary and capricious governmental action.' The ruling says the mink farms co-operated with the province during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate public health risks, which they claimed were not 'significant,' disputing the government's assertion that shutting down the industry was for 'legitimate public-health-related' reasons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.
Toronto Star
25-06-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
B.C. Appeal Court upholds US$30M fraud judgment against West Vancouver man
VANCOUVER - The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld a US$30 million court judgment against a West Vancouver man alleged by the U.S. government to be the 'mastermind' of a years-long securities fraud. The ruling says the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission originally sued Frederick Sharp and others in a Massachusetts court in 2021, and won a default judgment that was recognized by the B.C. Supreme Court last year.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. Appeal Court upholds US$30M fraud judgment against West Vancouver man
VANCOUVER – The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld a US$30 million court judgment against a West Vancouver man alleged by the U.S. government to be the 'mastermind' of a years-long securities fraud. The ruling says the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission originally sued Frederick Sharp and others in a Massachusetts court in 2021, and won a default judgment that was recognized by the B.C. Supreme Court last year. The Appeal Court ruling says Sharp contested the judgment, claiming he had no 'real and substantial connection' to Massachusetts and also arguing he hadn't been properly served with documents related to the case. The lower court had rejected Sharp's arguments, finding they would 'possibly allow complex international fraud schemes to avoid accountability' if cases were spread across different jurisdictions. The Appeal Court ruling says the commission provided evidence that Sharp was 'evading' service of the case documents, and the lower court correctly found 'ample evidence' that documents were delivered to Sharp's West Vancouver address. The appeal ruling released Wednesday says Sharp tried to use expert evidence to show he wasn't 'validly' notified of the U.S. judgment, evidence the commission called an 'irrelevant sideshow.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025.
Toronto Star
06-06-2025
- Toronto Star
Supreme Court of Canada says babysitter must be acquitted in toddler's death
OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada says an acquittal is the appropriate outcome for a British Columbia woman whose conviction in the drowning death of a toddler was set aside two years ago. Tammy Bouvette was charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of criminal negligence causing the bathtub drowning death of a 19-month-old girl she had been babysitting in 2011 in Cranbrook, B.C. In April 2023, the B.C. Court of Appeal found the Crown had failed to disclose several items of key evidence to Bouvette's lawyers, depriving her of the opportunity to make an informed decision about how to plead. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Court of Appeal called the original conviction 'the product of a miscarriage of justice' because the evidence and circumstances established a reasonable possibility that Bouvette would not have pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death if full disclosure had been made. The Appeal Court ordered a judicial stay of proceedings, meaning a permanent halt to the case without determining guilt or innocence. Bouvette then asked the Supreme Court for an acquittal — a declaration of being found not guilty. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
