6.25°C Vancouver

Jan 21, 2021 1:27 AM -

Residents of Old Fort, B.C., suing province, others over slow-moving slide

Share On
residents-of-old-fort-b-c-suing-province-others-over-slow-moving-slide
A slow moving landslide is seen inching down a hillside in northern British Columbia, prompting the evacuation of nearby Old Fort, B.C., in an undated handout photo. Residents of a tiny community in northern British Columbia are suing the local and provincial governments over two slow-moving landslides that they say caused their property values to plummet. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-B.C. Ministry of Forests and Lands, Marten Geertsema, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Residents of a tiny community in northeastern British Columbia are suing the local and provincial governments over two slow-moving landslides they claim caused their property values to plummet.

In a notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court this week, 35 residents in Old Fort., B.C., allege negligence and breach of their charter right to security of the person.

Evacuation orders and alerts were issued in September 2018 and June 2020 after a slope above the community of about 50 homes slumped, damaging the only road in and out.

The claim alleges that the first slide was caused by activity at the Blair Pit gravel mine and also that it was foreseeable that construction at the Site C dam project a kilometre away would cause or contribute to a slide.

The Peace River Regional District and gravel pit owner Deasan Holdings declined to comment as the matter is before the courts.

The B.C. government and City of Fort St. John said they had yet to be served, while BC Hydro, the utility building Site C, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Latest news

canada-sees-job-growth-in-december-but-unemployment-rate-climbs-to-6-8-per-cent
CanadaJan 09, 2026

Canada sees job growth in December, but unemployment rate climbs to 6.8 per cent

Canada added jobs for a fourth straight month in December, but the national unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent as more people entered the labour force, according to new data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. The figures highlight growing pressure in the labour market despite continued employment gains. The federal agency reported that the economy added 8,200 jobs in December. Over the past four months, employment has increased by a combined 188,800 positions, suggesting steady hiring momentum across parts of the economy. However, the unemployment rate rose as the number of people ac
northern-mla-sheldon-clare-enters-race-for-b-c-conservative-leadership
BCJan 09, 2026

Northern MLA Sheldon Clare enters race for B.C. Conservative leadership

B.C. Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare has announced he is seeking the party’s leadership, saying he wants to prevent former members of the provincial Liberals from reshaping the party’s direction. Clare, who represents Prince George–North Cariboo, said he has observed what he described as growing pressure from former B.C. Liberal figures to gain influence within the Conservatives. He argued that approach reflects a political model he believes has already failed in the province and does not align with the party’s principles. In outlining his reasons for running, Clare said he wants to ens
chrystia-freeland-formally-resigns-as-mp-triggering-toronto-byelection
CanadaJan 09, 2026

Chrystia Freeland formally resigns as MP, triggering Toronto byelection

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from the House of Commons takes effect today, ending more than a decade representing the Toronto riding of University–Rosedale. Freeland is leaving federal politics to take on a voluntary advisory role with the Ukrainian government focused on economic development. Her departure reduces the Liberal caucus to 170 seats, leaving Prime Minister Mark Carney two seats short of a majority in the 338 seat House of Commons. Opposition parties collectively now hold 172 seats, including 142 Conservatives, 22 Bloc Québécois MPs, seven New Democ
surrey-police-issue-five-excessive-speeding-tickets-in-one-morning-most-in-construction-zones
CanadaJan 08, 2026

Surrey police issue five excessive speeding tickets in one morning, most in construction zones

Surrey Police Service officers issued five excessive speeding tickets during a single morning of enforcement this week, with the majority occurring in active construction zones, according to police. Road Safety Unit officers conducted targeted enforcement on January 7, focusing on areas where road work was underway. Police say four of the five tickets were issued in construction zones, including one case where a driver was allegedly travelling at 102 kilometres per hour in a posted 30 kilometre per hour zone. Police say speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes, and constru
atmospheric-river-expected-to-bring-heavy-rain-snow-and-strong-winds-to-b-c-s-north-coast
BCJan 08, 2026

Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to B.C.’s north coast

An incoming atmospheric river is expected to bring significant rain, snow and high winds to British Columbia’s north coast, prompting multiple weather warnings from Environment Canada. Forecasters say coastal communities including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat could receive up to 100 millimetres of rain beginning late Thursday and continuing into Saturday morning. The rainfall raises concerns about localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and drainage-prone areas. Inland travel routes are also expected to be affected. Environment Canada warns that sections of major highways could s

Related News