MLA Bernier introduces new bill to help families with wrongful death compensation

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier has introduced “Logan’s Law,” aimed at helping families of victims killed by careless or intentional acts of others.

The bill got its namesake and was inspired by Logan Power, a teenager from Dawson Creek who was killed in 2016 by a drunk driver. 

According to Logan’s father, he was “a Grade 12 honours student at Dawson Creek Secondary,  and a well-liked young man starting the rest of his life and preparing for a career in engineering.”

“That day, the car Logan was riding in near Dawson Creek rolled into a ditch along the road. He suffered from injuries and passed away three hours later in the hospital. There were also three other children in the vehicle who were also injured,” said the father through the website for “In Their Name,” a non-profit campaign of the BC Wrongful Death Law Reform Society.

Logan’s family did not receive any compensation for their loss due to the teen not meeting the narrow economic criteria recognized under the existing law.

The proposed private member’s bill will reform the BC Family Compensation Act, expanding eligibility claims and compensation levels and strengthening compensation for victims’ families.  

If passed, the bill would also allow parents, siblings, or dependents to claim compensation in the event of a wrongful death and help families cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and travel and accommodation costs incurred while caring for the victim before their death. 

Bernier believes the Compensation Act treats children, seniors, and people with disabilities like they are worthless when they are killed. 

“Logan’s Law will ensure all families, like the Powers, receive the justice they deserve by expanding the eligibility for claims of wrongful deaths,” said Bernier.

“In my work to support this much-needed reform to the Family Compensation Act, I’ve met with many families about the challenges with our outdated wrongful death laws,” said Michael Lee, MLA for Vancouver-Langara and Shadow Minister for Attorney General and Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation.

“Grieving families should not be denied justice and compensation in the event of a wrongful death,” he continued. 

Logan’s Law would align B.C. with other provinces with updated laws addressing wrongful deaths. 

The bill proposes vital changes consistent with the recommendations by the Ministry of Attorney General in 2010, addressing critical gaps in the current system.