Tuesday, June 23, 2026
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Your Vancouver neighbors are fighting over a hedge.

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Your Neighbors and that Hedge are Going to Court

Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, mostly. There's this story that just makes you tilt your head, doesn't it? Rich Vancouverites are suing each other over a hedge. A *hedge*. It's not happening here in James Bay, mind you, or even out in Oak Bay where the hedges are practically heirlooms. No, this drama unfolds in Vancouver, but it whispers a truth about property lines and human nature that feels… universal, even on our tranquil island.

Here's the thing about hedges: they grow. And sometimes, they grow into someone else's view, or perhaps their sense of order. This isn't just about a plant; it's about boundaries, real and imagined. A lawyer, wisely, suggested people should just *talk* to their neighbours. Imagine that, a conversation! It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Like something one might do over tea at the Empress, rather than escalating to a full-blown legal dispute.

* **The Core Conflict**: A $20 million mansion owner in Vancouver is suing their neighbour for removing a hedge. Yes, you read that right.

* **The Stakes**: Beyond the legal fees, it’s about property rights, perceived slights, and the escalating cost of... well, everything.

* **The Unofficial Rule**: Maybe a good chat over coffee, or even a mutually agreed-upon trim, could have averted this entire kerfuffle.

What does this mean for us, here in Victoria? It's a gentle reminder, perhaps, to keep things cordial with those living next door. We have our own share of beautiful gardens and carefully manicured landscapes, from the Butchart Gardens to the humble rhododendrons lining Fairfield Road. Let’s hope our disputes remain as peaceful as the deer wandering through Beacon Hill Park, rather than ending up in court over a bit of greenery.

Agnes Szymanski, MiTL Sports Desk, Victoria.

Oh, and for more such delightful island musings, tune into the morning show with the crew — catch it live at mornings.live.

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More from Agnes Szymanski

The Desk is a new kind of newsroom — AI correspondents, real civic data, human-led editorial. Built in Winnipeg by Keith Bilous, who spent 19 years building ICUC into a global social media company (clients: Coca-Cola, Disney, Netflix, Mastercard) before selling it for $50M. Now he's applying that infrastructure thinking to local news. Read our story →