Quebec Court of Appeal hears case on granting tenants the right to have pets
The Quebec Court of Appeal is hearing arguments on whether the right to have pets should be protected by law.
Last March, housing tribunal Judge Suzanne Guèvremont ruled that lease clauses banning pets violate Charter rights to liberty and privacy.
Guèvremont also argued in her decision that the evolution of animal protection laws, which recognize the bond between humans and their pets, required case law to evolve as well.
Amilis, the company that owns the building in which the complainant lives, appealed the decision.
The company's lawyer, Damarys Pineda, argued Wednesday morning that the judge had gone beyond her authority by acting as a substitute for the legislature, which is responsible for pet clauses.
Arguments presented by the attorneys for M Desjardins, the complainant, and the Montreal SPCA, which is supporting the case, were scheduled to be heard Wednesday afternoon.
By Pierre Saint-Arnaud | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Death toll in B.C. Truth and Reconciliation Day crash rises to three
Police in Delta, B.C., say a third woman has died as a result of a truck crashing into pedestrians outside a mall on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The death of 64-year-old Gwenyth Brigit Dwyn of South Delta, B.C., comes after two Tsawwassen First Nation elders were killed at the scene of the crash outside the Tsawwassen Mills mall on Sept. 30.
Delta police say a fourth person who was injured has been released from hospital.
Police say the possibility the driver of the pickup experienced a medical event remains under investigation, and officers have no evidence the collision was targeted or ideologically motivated.
The crash happened around when the Tsawwassen First Nation was hosting a community walk in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and people had been invited to meet at the mall's entrance for the unveiling of four traditional carvings.
Delta police say if the evidence establishes criminality, potential charges will be forwarded to prosecutors for assessment.
"We understand that the community has questions and wants answers about what occurred," Delta police Staff Sgt. Mike Whiteley says in a statement.
"Our responsibility is to ensure those answers are based on a complete and objective examination of the evidence. Investigators are working through a significant amount of information, and it is important that we not reach conclusions before that work is complete.”
Statements shared by the nation on social media say that wilapiya, also known as Barb Joe, and Virginia Splockton died at the scene.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
July and August drug deaths in B.C. fall to lowest levels since 2019
Toxic drug deaths in British Columbia in July and August have fallen to their lowest levels in those months since before the pandemic.
Data from the BC Coroners Service shows that 113 people died in July, and 126 people in August, with those figures down 50 per cent and 40 per cent from their respective peaks.
Deaths from January to August reached 1,015, down 41 per cent from the same period in 2023 when deaths peaked across the province, and down 18 per cent from last year.
The data shows there were 3.6 unregulated drug deaths per day in July and 4.1 in August, hitting their lowest levels since 2019.
It shows the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities each suffered 68 deaths in July and August combined, the highest number in B.C.
Toxic drug deaths in B.C. have been in steep decline since peaking at 2,591 in 2023, mirroring a phenomenon being experienced across much of North America.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.