Telus Must Pay B.C. Woman for Trespassing Multiple Times

A British Columbia small claims tribunal has ruled that Telus must compensate a woman over $400 for trespassing on her property, multiple times.

The B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal’s decision arose from incidents starting in July 2022, when Telus began upgrading local cables from copper to fibre for the company’s internet, reports CBC News.

Langston allowed initial access but requested prior notice for future visits to restrain her animals. Issues began on July 29, 2022, when a Telus employee parked in her driveway and opened her gate, causing her dog to escape. Later on September 15, 2022, when another Telus technician entered her property without permission, leaving her gate open to access a pole with a ladder.

Despite attempts to coordinate access (Langston wanted at least 24 hours notice from Telus), misunderstandings continued as one time crews didn’t show up when they were supposed to, and Langston eventually demanded Telus remove its equipment in January 2023, when a right of way agreement failed to be reached, then resulting in the case turning to the courts.

Tribunal member Alison Wake stated, “Trespass occurs when someone enters another person’s land without lawful justification,” concluding that Telus trespassed three times.

Langston’s claim for $5,000 in damages for alleged bullying and harassment was reduced to an award of $300 plus interest and $100 for lawsuit costs. “Telus knew or ought to have known that it did not have a right of way to access Ms. Langston’s property,” wrote Wake.