B.C. woman who thought Coldplay concert 'was a date' must pay ex for ticket, tribunal rules

A B.C. woman has been ordered to repay her ex for a ticket to Coldplay's 2023 concert in Vancouver – in a small claims decision that highlights the distinction between gifts and loans under Canadian law.

A B.C. woman has been ordered to repay her ex for a ticket to Coldplay's 2023 concert in Vancouver – in a small claims decision that highlights the distinction between gifts and loans under Canadian law.

The Civil Resolution Tribunal heard Alyssa Randles and Michael Stolfi visited Vancouver for the show last September, but later had a falling out over their $450 tickets.

Stolfi ultimately took Randles to the tribunal asking for $600 in reimbursement – including money for their hotel stay, meals and taxis.

"Ms. Randles says she thought the concert was a date and Mr. Stolfi only asked if she would share the cost after the concert," tribunal member Mark Henderson wrote in a July 15 decision.

While Randles claimed her Coldplay ticket was given to her as a gift, the decision notes that proving as much can be difficult.

"Under the law of gifts, the person who received the alleged gift must establish it was intended to be a gift, and that they accepted the gift when the giver transferred it to them," Henderson said.

"The evidence should show the giver’s intention to make a gift was inconsistent with any other intention."