What did the court decide in the Metrotown case?

A B.C. court sentenced Everton Downey to life in prison for the 2021 stabbing death of Melissa Blimkie inside the Metrotown parkade in Burnaby. The ruling highlights safety and liability questions for malls and parking structures across Canada, with renewed focus on lighting, patrols, cameras, and rapid response protocols.

Who can be liable after a violent incident at a mall?

Liability can involve the occupier, the property owner, and the security contractor, depending on facts and contracts. Courts examine foreseeability and whether reasonable measures were in place and followed. Detailed policies, staff training, patrol logs, and camera uptime records are often central to how insurers and courts assess responsibility.

How should investors assess mall security risk in Canada?

Read MD&A and AIF risk sections for incident trends, insurance terms, and planned security capex. Ask about patrol intervals, parkade upgrades, and third-party audits. Track foot traffic, tenant sales per square foot, and occupancy to see if safety concerns are affecting demand or costs across Canadian retail properties.

Will insurance costs rise for landlords and tenants after such events?

Premiums and deductibles in CAD can rise after serious incidents, especially where risk is higher or procedures were weak. Owners may allocate more budget to security operations and capital projects, and some costs can flow through leases. Watch for policy exclusions and higher retentions noted in financial disclosures.

Law and Government

Metrotown Sentencing February 19: Mall Security, Liability in Focus

ByDanny Kontos February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

On February 19, a B.C. court sentenced Everton Downey to life in prison for the 2021 stabbing death of Melissa Blimkie at Metrotown mall’s parkade in Burnaby. The case puts mall security risk, occupiers’ liability, and insurance exposure in sharp focus for landlords and tenants across Canada. For investors, this ruling raises questions about safety standards, premium pressure, and how foot traffic and leasing may shift. We outline the legal duties, practical controls, and the disclosures that matter for risk management and Canadian retail REITs today.