In two recent cases involving severe bodily injury, Abdi v. Bottomley and McAllister v. City of Calgary, the courts expanded the duty of care upon local governments in significant ways. In the first, the BC Supreme Court found that a local government which owned and rented out residential properties was liable for the acts of a tenant who poured motor oil on a backyard fire, causing a fuel explosion. In the Calgary decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal found that the City owed a duty to users of its light rail system to respond to altercations on or near the premises and intervene if necessary. The fight had been captured by the City’s video surveillance cameras.The details of both and the lessons to be drawn from each will be discussed.

This session may qualify for the following Professional Development Credits: Law Society CPD