Latest news with #B.C.SupremeCourt
CBC
19 hours ago
- CBC
'Unbound by laws': B.C. court gives man 6 years for illegal sea cucumber fishing
A British Columbia judge has sentenced a man with the longest record of Fisheries Act violations in Canadian history to six years in prison for "ravaging the ocean and flouting the law." Scott Steer and his co-accused corporation faced eight charges, including fishing in a closed area without a licence, selling more than $1 million worth of illegally harvested sea cucumbers and breaching an earlier order where he was forbidden from possessing fishing vessels. B.C. Supreme Court Justice David Crerar in Nanaimo says in his ruling that Steer has a "remarkably long record" of fisheries violations and other offences dating back more than a decade, and short stints in jail have "wholly failed to deter or rehabilitate" him. The rulings says Steer's offences over the years include illegally harvesting crabs from Vancouver harbour, defrauding a vessel owner, breaching conditions in an intimate partner violence case and various probation violations. Province makes move to seize house, accounts of B.C. man with multiple illegal fishing charges Crerar's ruling says Steer and his wife, Melissa Steer, continued their illegal fishing operations while his trial was ongoing, and his persistent "knowing and mocking flouting of the law" indicates the "unlikelihood of remorse or rehabilitation, now or in future." The ruling says Steer believes himself "unbound by laws" and that short stints in jail as punishments are "literally a joke," and in addition to the prison term, he and his company have been fined $1.1 million "specifically to condemn the Steers' deliberate, destructive, and dishonest actions." 'Threat' to fisheries Since 2008, there have been 15 different Fisheries and Oceans Canada files on Steer. He has been convicted multiple times for fishing illegally and has faced significant fines and jail time. He has been described in a previous judgment as "a threat to the health of the fishery" and "[displaying] a shocking lack of conscience and human decency." In November 2021, a B.C. Supreme Court judge banned Steer from fishing for life, the first lifetime ban for a Pacific region fisherman in more than a decade. The ban came after Steer was caught illegally crab fishing in the Vancouver harbour and took off in his boat, leading to a high-speed pursuit, according to court documents. His boat, a truck and a trailer were all seized. Officials found around 250 live crabs on board, which were later released back into the water.
The Province
5 days ago
- Business
- The Province
Vancouver Island's Bear Mountain on the market, including golf courses, development lands
Last week, the B.C. Supreme Court granted the request of the receiver in control of the development to put the property up for sale. Bear Mountain resort. A court-ordered sale and investment solicitation process began Tuesday as part of ongoing receivership proceedings involving the resort's parent company, Ecoasis Developments LLP, and related companies. VICTORIA — More than 60 hectares of prime West Shore land, including two 18-hole golf courses and the country's largest red-clay tennis centre, officially hit the real estate market on Tuesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Last week, B.C. Supreme Court granted the request of the receiver in control of Bear Mountain to put the property up for sale. The development, on Skirt Mountain in east Langford and the Highlands, has been in receivership since last fall. Brandon Selina, senior vice-president with Colliers Victoria, which has been enlisted to sell the property, said marketing efforts are aimed at finding a master developer who wants to 'continue the dream, build it out and run the golf course operations at the same time.' While the individual components could be sold separately, the goal is to sell the entire project as a package. 'It's quite unique and I think that it will get some eyes, not just from locals, but from around B.C., national or international master-plan developers,' he said, noting the zoning allows for all kinds of development, including townhomes, condos and what's known as 'missing middle' housing, including houseplexes. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The sale process will be done by securing qualified bids. Letters of intent from potential bidders, including the source of capital to be used for the purchase, must be submitted by Sept. 16. The final deadline for bids is Nov. 3, with the receiver hoping to wrap up the process and close the deal before year end. The court appointed Alvarez & Marsal Canada as the receiver last fall with a mandate to oversee the operation of the companies that own and operate Bear Mountain Resort. The partners in Ecoasis Developments, which had been managing Bear Mountain, had been at odds over how the property was managed and its land developed. Sanovest Holdings Ltd. and 599315 B.C. Ltd., headed by chief executive Dan Matthews, are equal partners in Ecoasis Developments LLP, which was formed in 2013 under the company name Ecoasis Bear Mountain Developments Ltd. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sanovest, which holds a $62 million loan on the Bear Mountain lands, asked the B.C. Supreme Court to appoint the receiver after Ecoasis Developments LLP failed to pay off the loan in full by last spring. Sanovest claimed in filings last spring that there was a breakdown in trust between the two controlling partners — Sanovest director Tian Kusumoto and Matthews. Sanovest asked for a receivership to preserve its assets and ensure fair treatment among creditors. Ecoasis and 14 other associated companies known as the Developments Partnership were listed as respondents in the petition by Sanovest. The two partners have been at odds on several issues, including how to market and develop the remaining lands, and expense accounts and debts, including property taxes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While the resort operations at Bear Mountain, including golf courses, tennis and other recreational facilities, weren't under receivership when the order was granted last fall, Alvarez & Marsal Canada's senior vice-president, Anthony Tillman, wrote in his sixth report to the court that their inclusion in the sale was 'critical' to the sale and marketing of Bear Mountain resort, with respect to enhancing overall value. Tillman said they were likely to get more for the property if it was sold as a single entity rather than breaking it up into its parts. He said it would also enable the 'purchaser to retain comprehensive control over the project, encompassing the integration of amenity offerings, the strategic mix of residential products and commercial spaces, design coherence and a phased build-out schedule.' The sale doesn't include the Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa. Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks Hockey Soccer News
Vancouver Sun
20-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Settlement proposed in class-action lawsuit related to B.C. solitary confinement
A proposed settlement of up to $60 million has been reached in a class-action lawsuit related to the use of solitary confinement in B.C. correctional facilities. The Quebec-based law firm Proactio says the settlement must be approved by the B.C. Supreme Court, but could provide eligible class members up to $91,000. A statement from the firm on Saturday says the lawsuit alleges the B.C. government improperly subjected prisoners to solitary confinement, 'causing emotional, physical, and psychological harm.' It says the class includes people incarcerated after April 18, 2005, and involuntarily held in separate confinement or segregation for at least 15 consecutive days, or when the province knew or ought to have known they suffered from a mental illness. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. B.C.'s Ministry of Attorney General confirmed in an emailed statement that the province has agreed to jointly propose a resolution in the case to the court. The allegations in the statement of claim originally filed in November 2018 had not been tested in court. The ministry says it has 'taken lessons from the litigation successfully brought against other jurisdictions across the country, and proposed a resolution to close this chapter quickly and avoid the kind of long expensive legal fights' seen elsewhere. The distribution of public notices today is the first step in the settlement approval process, the statement adds. 'It's important to note this is not a finalized settlement and it is still subject to court approval, where the court will assess whether the agreement the parties have reached is as fair as we think it is,' it says. A hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed settlement has been set for Oct. 22, the statement from Proactio says. Class members have until Sept. 2 to indicate if they support or object to the proposal, it says. Those put in separate confinement after Dec. 22, 2020, can opt out by Sept. 2, in which case they would not receive compensation but would retain their right to pursue an individual lawsuit. The firm says class members can also submit a claim for compensation at a later date if the court approves the settlement. The court has appointed Koskie Minsky LLP and McEwan Partners LLP as class council, while Proactio has been mandated to act as administrator of the class action, the statement adds.
Toronto Star
19-07-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
Settlement proposed in class-action lawsuit over B.C. solitary confinement
VANCOUVER - A proposed settlement of up to $60 million has been reached in a class-action lawsuit related to the use of solitary confinement in B.C. correctional facilities. The Quebec-based law firm Proactio says the settlement must be approved by the B.C. Supreme Court, but could provide eligible class members up to $91,000.
Vancouver Sun
19-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Province denies responsibility for Lions Bay landslide that killed husband, wife
A debris flow that killed a Lions Bay couple was caused by natural events — an 'act of God,' the provincial government said this week in response to a negligence lawsuit launched by the victims' family and neighbours. The B.C. government added in its response in B.C. Supreme Court that if alleged 'illegal works' — that include a gravel road and a small reservoir — caused or contributed to the debris flow, the province was not responsible for those works and took reasonable and appropriate steps as regulator and landowner. Lions Bay is located in steep, mountainous terrain along the Sea to Sky Highway. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Enns were killed on Dec. 14 when a debris flow carrying mud, rocks and trees cascaded down the Battani Creek ravine about 750 metres and swept away their house. The debris also hit the busy Sea to Sky Highway. The court filing, for the first time, provides a position from the province on the landslide. Last January, the province said the cause of the landslide remained unknown and was still under investigation. So far, the province has provided little detail on its oversight, saying they could not comment because of a continuing RCMP investigation into the deadly landslide. This week, the province declined to answer questions on whether it had determined a cause yet or whether the investigation was complete. 'This matter is before the courts so we cannot comment,' said the Water, Lands and Natural Resources Ministry in an email sent by public affairs officer Lee Toop. The negligence lawsuit against the province claims the debris flow was 'caused, or alternatively contributed to,' by the allegedly illegal construction of the roads and small reservoir on provincial land. 'Since at least 2013, the province knew or ought to have known of the illegal works on Crown land and that these illegal works posed a serious risk to the residents, their properties and members of the public, including users of the Sea to Sky Highway,' said the family and neighbours in their civil claim. The suit was filed on April 16 by Enns's children Barbara (Jody) Dyer and Michael Enns, the executors of their parents' estate. The plaintiffs also include Michelle Medland and Sean Barry, and Fiona and Raymond Fourie, the Enns's neighbours whose properties are also beside Battani Creek. The plaintiffs are also suing the Village of Lions Bay and Steven Vestergaard, the man who built roads and a small reservoir high above the properties of the couple and their neighbours. The village and Vestergaard have denied any wrongdoing in their responses to the negligence suit. Dyer and Enns are seeking damages for the wrongful death of their parents. The Enns's children and the neighbours are also seeking general and special damages. Those include damage and destruction to property, decreased property value, expenses, loss of use and enjoyment, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In its response, the province denied the claimants suffered any damage, and said if they have, they did not take adequate steps to mitigate the loss or damage. The province said the death of the Enns was not caused by a wrongful act, neglect or default. In its court filing, the province said it does not owe a duty of care — an obligation to avoid acts or omissions that could cause harm — to the plaintiffs. If it did owe a duty of care to the plaintiffs in the circumstances of this case, which is denied, the province said it did not breach that duty. 'In particular, but without limitation, the province undertook regulatory action, including trespass notice and requiring remediation steps, and warned the residents respecting applicable risks,' said the province. 'If the defendant Vestergaard continued illegal activities on Crown land after such trespass notice and requirements for remedial action, which is denied, such activity was conducted without the knowledge of the province.' In his response to the negligence suit, Vestergaard said there is no evidence he contributed to, or was responsible for, the slide. Previously, Vestergaard provided documentation showing work to reduce slope failure risks at the reservoir was signed off by a professional geoscientist as 'satisfactorily completed' in 2015. Vestergaard said he spent $400,000 on slide prevention, engineering and remediation on the reservoir and an access road about a decade ago. The reservoir was meant to provide water to Vestergaard's private property that covers the equivalent of about 4½ city blocks. No home has been built and the property is now in foreclosure, according to B.C. Supreme Court records. In a previous response, not related to this court case, the province said following an inspection in 2014 of the reservoir by one of its senior geotechnical engineers, Vestergaard procured the services of qualified professionals to address concerns. ghoekstra@
