Family, Wills and Estates News:

Courts weigh in on who is a common-law spouse — The Tax and Estate Planning Group of Clark Wilson LLP recently published an article that deals with two recent cases in the British Columbia courts that have clarified different aspects of the question of when a common-law partner is entitled to a spousal interest in the estate of a person who died intestate. See the article Courts Weigh In.

Forest and Environment News:

When do Acts, like 2008 Bill 31, come into force? – Even though Acts are given Royal Assent, all or parts of that Act may not come into force immediately. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Emissions Standards) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 is an example. The last section, the "Commencement" section, indicates that some of the amendments, for example to the Forest Act or the Environmental Management Act, are not yet in force and will be brought in by regulation.

Climate change forces plants to higher ground — Temperatures aren't the only thing rising as a result of climate change; researchers say plants are creeping to higher elevations in order to survive global warming. See News Story.

Carbon capture and storage legislation: A Canadian Perspective — As recently posted by the BCCL, and published in the Canadian Institute of Resources Law's newsletter Resources, this article by Nigel Bankes and Jenette Poschwatta provides a description and analysis of draft legislation from Australia on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offers a critique from a Canadian perspective. See Carbon Capture article.

BC government releases compliance summary — The Ministry of Environment has released the first Quarterly Compliance and Enforcement Summary for 2008 which reports on compliance and enforcement actions taken across the entire ministry between Jan. 1, 2008 and March 31, 2008. It outlines:3 orders issued to prevent or stop impacts to the environment, human health or safety, 44 administrative licensing sanctions taken against individual or commercial hunters or anglers for committing certain offences, 266 tickets and 11 court convictions. See News Release.

Forestry Law Reporter — The second issue of the Quickscribe Forestry Law Reporter is scheduled to be published next month. We've had very positive feedback about this new service – thanks for all of your comments!

Local Government News:

Federal, provincial funds support vibrant communities — More than 100 communities in B.C. will soon begin work on infrastructure projects that will improve their local environments, making them greener, more sustainable places to live, thanks to investments totalling $147 million from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF). See News Release.

Communities benefit from $5 million investment in SolarBC — The Province is investing $5 million in the SolarBC program to encourage the installation of solar hot water heaters in homes, municipal buildings, schools, social housing and First Nations communities. See News Release.

LoGo Notebook —Staples McDannold Stewart has posted the Spring and Summer 2008 issues of their LoGo Notebook which include informative articles on the new Public Health Act (Bill 23) which comes into force by regulation sometime in the future; the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 (Bill 27), some of which is in force and some of which will come into force on October 1, 2008; and the "Definitive Court Ruling on LGA Section 943", among others. See Spring LoGo Notebook and Summer LoGo Notebook.

Motor Vehicle News:

New B.C. booster seat law causes confusion — Canadian families preparing for inter-provincial road trips this summer may not be aware of B.C.'s new laws governing car and booster seats for children, which took effect July 1. The new provincial law states children under nine years who are shorter than 4'9 must ride in a booster seat while in a vehicle. See the News Article.

New Amendments to Commercial Transport Regulations Came into Force July 1 — These amendments redefine the acceptable vehicle width and length. To view the details of these important changes please click on the appropriate links in list below.

Real Estate and Builders Lien News:

The Strata Property Group of Clark Wilson LLP recently published some informative articles dealing with strata corporations. View the following articles: Common Expenses – Can a Strata Corporation Reallocate if Unit Entitlement Appears Unfair? Access to Common Property by an Owner – Is it Limited? Do Strata Corporations Have to Accommodate Purchasers?.