Energy and Mines News:

$370,000 Funds Energy Efficiency in 14 Communities — A total of $370,000 will support 14 new communities selected to join the expanding Community Action on Energy and Emissions (CAEE) program, it was recently announced. Originally named Community Action on Energy Efficiency, the CAEE program emphasizes local government leadership on energy efficiency for new and existing buildings. CAEE has expanded to address clean and renewable energy supplies, transportation energy use and the range of related greenhouse gas and local air quality emissions. See News Release.

Oil And Gas Land Rights Sale For October — The Oct. 10, 2007 sale of oil and gas land rights in northeast British Columbia generated $12.3 million in bonus bids. See News Release.

Canadian Energy Policy Overview — This paper explores three areas of interest in Canadian energy policy: (a) past and present policy; (b) the National Energy Plan of 1980; and (c) energy initiatives of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It also provides a brief discussion on energy policy development on the international stage. The paper was written by Johnathan Pavlich and Tony Fogarssy from the law firm Clark Wilson LLP. See: Policy Review.

Family, Wills and Estates News:

The Family Relations Act Review — In February 2006, the Ministry of Attorney General announced a wholesale review of the Family Relations Act. The first year was devoted to research. This year has been set aside for consultation. For more information about this review, please refer to the full article "The Family Relations Act Review", on the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch website.

Forest and Environment News:

New Action Plan Shifts Coastal Forest Industry — A new Coastal Forest Action Plan, backed by $21 million, will help achieve government's vision for a competitive coastal forest sector that contributes to prosperous communities, First Nations, stable employment and sustainable forest practices, it was recently announced. For more information, or to download a copy of the plan, visit Coastal Plan.

B.C. Requires Well Caps To Protect Groundwater — All wells (except geotechnical wells and drainage wells) must have a secure well cap in place by Oct. 31, 2007 to be in compliance with British Columbia’s Ground Water Protection Regulation. This requirement applies to all existing wells, as well as newly constructed wells. See News Release.

Agreement On Climate Action Signed — Manitoba and British Columbia will join forces to deal with climate change, improve conditions for Aboriginal citizens, and further international relations and trade under an agreement signed recently by Premier Gordon Campbell and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. The agreement affirms the commitment of both provinces to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels and beyond, and sets out specific actions that will help meet those targets. See News Release.

B.C. Invests in Forest Science And Research — The Province is investing $16.1 million in forestry research and extension that will improve timber growth and value, support sustainable forest management, and address mountain pine beetle priorities, it was recently announced. A total of 267 research and extension projects will be funded through the Forest Investment Account Forest Science Program (FIA-FSP) in locations throughout B.C. The funding will be for studies that range from one to three years, led by researchers at universities, provincial and federal governments, First Nations, companies and not-for-profit organizations. Information on the call for proposals for projects and the Forest Investment Account's Forest Science Program 2007/08 business plan, listing currently funded projects, is available at the FIA website. See also the News Release.

Governance and management of small forest tenures in BC — An article published by Forrex looks at the increasing number of small tenures in British Columbia and how these tenure holders must develop governance practices that address both accountability and participation. See the Article, Tyler, S., L. Ambus, and D. Davis-Case. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management, Vol 8 (2) – Published by Forrex.

Labour and Company News:

"Grant's Law" To Protect Late-Night Workers — A regulation requiring a mandatory prepayment system at service stations throughout the province will be in effect Feb. 1, 2008 it was recently announced. The regulation makes a prepayment system mandatory in service stations across B.C. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This regulation will especially help to protect employees who work late at night. See News Release.

Corporate Registry — Effective October 29, 2007, Corporate Registry has implemented an upgrade to Corporate Online to complete Phase One online filings for unlimited liability companies. All self-serve online filings for unlimited liability companies will be available by early 2008.

Local Government News:

Landmark Tsawwassen Treaty Legislation Introduced — The British Columbia treaty process reached an historic milestone recently with the introduction of Tsawwassen First Nation settlement legislation in the legislature. The Tsawwassen First Nation, located at Roberts Bank in Delta, entered treaty negotiations in 1993 and initialled a Final Agreement with B.C. and Canada in December 2006. On July 25, 2007, Tsawwassen members voted 70 per cent in favour of ratifying the Final Agreement, which provides the First Nation with approximately 724 hectares of treaty settlement land and a cash transfer of $13.9 million over 10 years. See News Release.

Maa-Nulth First Nations Say Yes In Decisive Treaty Vote — Community votes for all five Maa-nulth First Nations have concluded with close to eighty percent of those who voted saying yes to the treaty. The Toquaht Nation, the Uchucklesaht Tribe, the Ucluelet First Nation, and the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations all voted in favour of the Final Agreement in a series of separate ratification votes held October 13 through 20. The four bands join the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, who ratified the agreement in July. The Maa-nulth Final Agreement will provide a capital transfer of $73.1 million, annual resource revenue payments averaging $1.2 million for 25 years and a land transfer totalling approximately 24,551 hectares to the five First Nations. See News Release.

Motor Vehicle News:

Legislation Introduced To Revamp Translink — Bill 43, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act, was introduced in the House Oct. 23, to reorganize the current TransLink governance and funding structure. See News Release.