Latest news with #BritishColumbiaSupremeCourt
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
Prisoners allege pandemic rules ‘wreaked havoc' on minds in class-action lawsuit
VANCOUVER - Federal prison inmates who allege they were subjected to inhumane treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic have cleared a crucial legal hurdle to move forward with a class-action lawsuit filed five years ago against the Canadian government. The British Columbia Supreme Court last week certified the class of inmates who claim they were 'subject to inhumane rights restrictions' during the pandemic, including being confined to cells for 20 hours or more each day without meaningful contact with other people.
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
Federal inmates allege pandemic ill treatment in class-action lawsuit
VANCOUVER - The British Columbia Supreme Court says a lawsuit by prison inmates alleging ill treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic can move forward as a class action against the federal government. Inmates claim they were 'subject to inhumane rights restrictions' during the pandemic, including being confined to cells for 20 hours or more each day without meaningful contact with other people.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Federal inmates allege pandemic ill treatment in class-action lawsuit
VANCOUVER – The British Columbia Supreme Court says a lawsuit by prison inmates alleging ill treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic can move forward as a class action against the federal government. Inmates claim they were 'subject to inhumane rights restrictions' during the pandemic, including being confined to cells for 20 hours or more each day without meaningful contact with other people. Plaintiff Dean Roberts, a multiple murderer incarcerated at B.C.'s Mission Institution, says in an affidavit the pandemic brought 'chaos' as pandemic measures sent prisoners into despair, including one who sewed his lips shut. The ruling says the Attorney General of Canada opposed certifying the lawsuit as a class action for several reasons, arguing the Correctional Service of Canada's response to the pandemic was medically necessary. It says arguments over the 'unprecedented and unexpected nature of the pandemic' are issues to be decided by a trial, rejecting the federal government's claim that inmates should pursue individual lawsuits instead of banding together as a class. Justice Michael Tammen's ruling says inmates 'frequently face inordinate hurdles' in the courts, being without the financial means to file individual lawsuits, and class actions are often their only realistic means to legally challenge conditions of confinement. Lawyer Patrick Dudding says he welcomes the court's decision and he and his associates are now tasked with getting the word out to current and former inmates to join the class, which he says could potentially involve thousands of people. The lawsuit was originally filed in 2020. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Economic Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Mount Polley mine faces major setback as First Nation fights to prevent another environmental crisis
The British Columbia Supreme Court halted Mount Polley Mining Corporation's tailings dam expansion until July 2025, siding with the Xatśūll First Nation's claim of inadequate consultation and environmental review. This decision underscores the tension between mining projects and Indigenous rights, prompting a deeper examination of consultation processes following a previous catastrophic dam collapse in 2014. The BC Supreme Court has ordered Mount Polley Mining Corporation to halt its tailings dam expansion until at least July 1, 2025. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The British Columbia Supreme Court has ordered Mount Polley Mining Corporation to stop its plan to raise the height of its tailings dam . The court said the expansion cannot go ahead until at least July 1, decision follows a legal challenge by the Xatśūll First Nation . The First Nation says the province approved the dam expansion without proper consultation or a full environmental review. They argue the decision goes against British Columbia's own rules on Indigenous province had allowed the company to raise the dam by four metres. It said the increase was needed to manage heavy spring runoff and had gone through technical checks and some the Xatśūll First Nation disagreed. They said the process was rushed and ignored serious environmental fear is not unfounded. In 2014, the tailings dam at the same Mount Polley mine collapsed. That disaster released about 25 million cubic metres of mine waste into nearby lakes and rivers. It became one of the worst environmental events in B.C.'s company that owns the mine, Imperial Metals, says it still has enough space in the tailings facility for now. It says it doesn't need the extra capacity from the expansion until July 2025. The company has also agreed to wait and not move forward with raising the dam until that time.A hearing on the issue is set to resume on June 24, 2025. The Xatśūll First Nation plans to ask the court to keep the block on the expansion in place until the full legal review is case highlights growing tension in B.C. between mining projects and Indigenous land rights. It also raises bigger questions about how governments consult First Nations on decisions that impact their land and now, the court has sent a clear message: more caution and deeper consultation are needed when it comes to projects that carry environmental and cultural risks.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mount Polley mine faces major setback as First Nation fights to prevent another environmental crisis
The British Columbia Supreme Court has ordered Mount Polley Mining Corporation to stop its plan to raise the height of its tailings dam . The court said the expansion cannot go ahead until at least July 1, 2025. #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations This decision follows a legal challenge by the Xatśūll First Nation . The First Nation says the province approved the dam expansion without proper consultation or a full environmental review. They argue the decision goes against British Columbia's own rules on Indigenous rights. Also Read: Another Canada Post strike? Here's what could happen after May 22 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by The province had allowed the company to raise the dam by four metres. It said the increase was needed to manage heavy spring runoff and had gone through technical checks and some consultations. But the Xatśūll First Nation disagreed. They said the process was rushed and ignored serious environmental concerns. Live Events Their fear is not unfounded. In 2014, the tailings dam at the same Mount Polley mine collapsed. That disaster released about 25 million cubic metres of mine waste into nearby lakes and rivers. It became one of the worst environmental events in B.C.'s history. The company that owns the mine, Imperial Metals, says it still has enough space in the tailings facility for now. It says it doesn't need the extra capacity from the expansion until July 2025. The company has also agreed to wait and not move forward with raising the dam until that time. Also Read: Earth's 'twin' is not dead but very much 'alive'; NASA's latest discovery explained A hearing on the issue is set to resume on June 24, 2025. The Xatśūll First Nation plans to ask the court to keep the block on the expansion in place until the full legal review is over. This case highlights growing tension in B.C. between mining projects and Indigenous land rights. It also raises bigger questions about how governments consult First Nations on decisions that impact their land and environment. For now, the court has sent a clear message: more caution and deeper consultation are needed when it comes to projects that carry environmental and cultural risks.
