Attorney General Niki Sharma said her government's proposed law to to recover health-care costs from companies that market vaping products as safe or target youth is modelled after similar laws used t...

The British Columbia Supreme Court has ruled that provisions in the province's involuntary care regime allowing forced psychiatric treatment without assessing a patient's decision-making capacity are unconstitutional. Justice Lauren Blake found these provisions violated patients' Canadian Charter rights to equality, life, liberty, and security of the person. The court ordered the BC government to amend legislation within six months, criticizing the system for granting mental health facility directors automatic power to provide any treatment to involuntary patients without consent or oversight. This decision follows a decade-long legal challenge by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), which argued the system wrongly assumes all involuntary patients lack capacity, eroding individual liberty and causing trauma. The ruling also struck down related provisions in BC's Consent Act and Representation Agreement Act. The case highlights tensions between expanding involuntary treatment for severe mental health conditions and respecting patient autonomy, as advocates warn against potential coercion and systemic harms.

A convicted murderer has been sentenced for a second killing in British Columbia, marking the latest development in a case that has drawn significant attention to the province's criminal justice system. The individual, who was previously found guilty of a homicide, is now facing additional charges related to another fatal incident. This sentencing underscores ongoing concerns about repeat offenses and the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs within the prison system. Law enforcement officials have emphasized the need for stricter oversight to prevent similar tragedies. The case has also sparked debates about the balance between public safety and the rights of incarcerated individuals. With high-profile criminal cases often dominating media coverage, this incident highlights the complexities of justice in a society grappling with rising crime rates. Legal experts note that such sentencing decisions reflect both the gravity of the crimes committed and the systemic challenges faced by courts in ensuring fair outcomes. The community remains divided on whether harsher penalties will deter future violence or if alternative approaches should be explored.

A man charged with possessing stolen property under $5,000 pleaded guilty to two Motor Vehicle Act charges instead this past Wednesday. In Pri...