The fight for a fair wrongful death law has generated considerable media attention in British Columbia. All major news sources, including CBC, CTV, Global, CKNW, the Vancouver Sun, and the Province have reported on the campaign, as well as local media throughout the province.
This news archive provides a history of the campaign. It demonstrates the need for a wrongful death law in BC that is just and equal—that is accessible to all British Columbians.
Imagine a child being told their murdered mom was worth only $50,000.
News that some of the families of serial killer Robert Pickton’s victims had settled their lawsuit with Victoria focuses attention once again on B.C.’s inadequate wrongful death law.
The province’s archaic legislation governing the compensation for the loss of loved ones due to other people’s wrongful conduct perpetuates a long-standing injustice.
Five years after the death of her father, Cloverdale’s Rita McDonnell is still demanding better protection for B.C.’s seniors.
…According to the B.C. Ombudsperson, quoted in 2012, “The Ministry of Health does not require care staff to report information indicating seniors receiving residential care services are being abused or neglected.”
“Further, B.C.’s Health Ministry doesn’t require service providers to notify police if an incident of abuse or neglect that may constitute a criminal offense…”
Catherine Adamson says most people don’t believe her when she tells them B.C. medical personnel who commit errors leading to the wrongful death of a child are effectively out of range for legal damages.
Since her daughter died in 1997, Adamson has been fighting to change B.C.’s Family Compensation Act, which limits financial compensation for wrongful deaths to those who had dependents.
2024 Election – David Eby & the BC NDP have failed to keep their promise to modernize BC’s wrongful death laws within their 2020-2024 mandate of government.
John Rustad and the Conservative Party of BC have committed to modernize if elected.