The B.C. Court of Appeal sat in Prince George today, the first such sitting (not counting the ceremonial one last fall) in at least a dozen years.

 

Mr. Justice Richard Low, Madam Justice Mary Saunders and Mr. Justice Christopher Hinkson were in courtroom 310 to hear arguments about the City vs Columbus Hotel case.

 

Madam Justice Saunders is the senior Appeal Court Justice of the three who heard the case today, having been appointed in 1999. She made some opening remarks, before the case at hand got underway.

 

“Communities are made stronger and more stable when that which can take place at home, takes place at home. This is a case that can be heard in Prince George, and should be heard in Prince George.”

She went on to say that she has heard many appeals in Vancouver of cases   that involved Prince George. “I have always wondered why cases of such significant local interests were not being heard in Prince George.”

The message was clear, that the Court of Appeal is willing to come to Prince George to hear such matters.