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Vol: VII  –  Issue: IX      Sept. 30, 2008

QUICKSCRIBE NEWS:

Fall Sitting Cancelled — As expected, there will be no sitting of the Legislature this Fall. The House will resume in the Spring with a Throne Speech and introduction of the budget, then is expected to adjourn for the May election.

Survey Results — Thank you to those who took the time to complete our recent survey. We received a total of 68 responses. Overall, we were very encouraged by the positive feedback. We were equally appreciative of the constructive criticism we received. Your suggestions and comments will have a direct influence on how we prioritize future development of the site. Quickscribe may contact some of you directly in order to ask for clarification on some of your suggestions/input. To view a summary of some of the responses (excluding open-ended questions) please follow this link: Survey Results.

Searching Issue Resolved — Some of our clients may have recently experienced problems searching for terms that were more than one word in length. This issue stemmed from the fact that during a recent database upgrade the "stop-word" filter which restricts the use of words such as "of", "the" and other common words was somehow enabled. We have since turned off this filter and the search is now working as it should. We apologize for any inconvenience.

New Enhancements — Expect to see additional enhancements to the Quickscribe Online site over the next few weeks. Some of these changes are a direct result from your recent suggestions. More information will be forthcoming in the October Reporter.


FEDERAL LEGISLATION — For notification of federal amendments, we recommend you use our RSS feed.

Click for:  ENERGY & MINES
Click for:  FAMILY, WILLS & ESTATES
Click for:  FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT
Click for:  HEALTH
Click for:  LABOUR & COMPANY
  Click for:  LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Click for:  MISCELLANEOUS
Click for:  MOTOR VEHICLE
Click for:  REAL ESTATE & BUILDERS LIEN

ENERGY & MINES RELATED

Energy and Mines News:

Consumer Taxation Branch — The following bulletins have been revised:

For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
There were no amendments this month.
FAMILY, WILLS & ESTATES RELATED

Family, Wills and Estates News:

Melamine deaths in China concern B.C. adoptive parents — Parents who recently adopted babies from China should take them to the doctor for a thorough examination of their kidneys, a B.C. Lower Mainland pediatrician who specializes in foreign adoption medicine is advising. See the CBC News story.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
There were no amendments this month.
FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT RELATED

Forest and Environment News:

Wood use promoted to tackle climate change — A new booklet recently released will inform global markets and consumers about B.C. forests and how they produce renewable, climate-friendly products that sequester carbon. The booklet, "Tackle Climate Change, Use Wood", highlights forest industry accomplishments with respect to climate change. It examines the environmental attributes of Canadian forest products - wood, pulp and paper, and residues - and was produced by B.C.'s Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the Forest Products Association of Canada and the B.C. Forestry Climate Change Working Group. See News Release.

BC Timber sales tests new licence — BC Timber Sales is testing ways to improve utilization and minimize waste of timber through a new innovative timber sale licence, it was recently announced. Licences are being advertised this fall by BC Timber Sales business areas to facilitate harvesting of mountain pine beetle-attacked trees, pulp stands or other timber. The results of the innovative timber sale licence initiative will be evaluated before determining whether to expand the program. See News Release.

Whitebark Pine Bulletin — The BC Ministry of Forests and Range has prepared a bulletin which describes the ecological values and status of the recently designated blue-listed species Whitebark pine. For more information see Whitebark Pine Bulletin.

Research grants support bioenergy development — The Province has granted $600,000 to help grow B.C.'s wood bioenergy sector with continued research into feedstock supplies, technology and infrastructure, it was recently announced. See News Release.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Mountain Pine Beetle Salvage Area No. 2 (15/2007) REPEALED
Sept. 9/08
by Reg 245/2008
Mountain Pine Beetle Salvage Area No. 3 (245/2008) NEW
Sept. 9/08
see Reg 245/2008
Wildlife Act Sept. 9/08 by 2008 Bill 29 s. 28 only (Reg 244/2008) Environmental (Species and Public Protection) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
HEALTH RELATED

Health News:

Melamine deaths in China concern B.C. adoptive parents — Parents who recently adopted babies from China should take them to the doctor for a thorough examination of their kidneys, a B.C. Lower Mainland pediatrician who specializes in foreign adoption medicine is advising. See the CBC News story.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Community Living Authority Regulation (231/2005) Sept. 19/08 by Reg 254/2008
LABOUR & COMPANY RELATED

Labour and Company News:

Consultation Paper on Proposals for a New Society Act - British Columbia Law Institute — The British Columbia Law Institute has published a new report that includes recommendations that are geared to the detailed policy questions that will have to be dealt with in drafting a new Society Act. See the full Report.

Consumer Taxation BranchBulletin SST 121, Security Systems, has been revised. For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Accountants (Chartered) Act Sept. 1/08 by 2008 Bill 34 s. 16 only (Reg 220/2008) University Amendment Act, 2008
BC Instrument 51-509, Issuers Quoted in the U.S. Over-the-Counter Markets (251/2008) NEW
Sept. 15/08
see Reg 251/2008
National Instrument 21-101: Marketplace Operation (251/2001) Sept. 12/08 by Reg 250/2008
National Instrument 23-101: Trading Rules (252/2001) Sept. 12/08 by Reg 250/2008
National Instrument 41-101 General Prospectus Requirements (59/2008) Sept. 8/08 by Reg 240/2008
National Instrument 81-101: Mutual Fund Prospectus Disclosure (1/2000) Sept. 8/08 by Reg 240/2008
National Instrument 81-102: Mutual Funds (2/2000) Sept. 8/08 by Reg 240/2008
National Instrument 81-106: Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure (218/2005) Sept. 8/08 by Reg 240/2008
Private Investigators and Security Agencies Act REPEALED
Sept. 1/08
by 2007 Bill 15 s. 54 only (Reg 207/2008) Security Services Act
Public Sector Employers Act Sept. 1/08 by 2008 Bill 34 s. 22 only (Reg 220/2008) University Amendment Act, 2008
Security Services Act NEW
Sept. 1/08
c. 30 (SBC 2008) 2007 Bill 15 in force by Reg 207/2008
Security Services Regulation (207/2008) NEW
Sept. 1/08
see Reg 207/2008
LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATED

$16 million for flood protection in B.C. — Communities in all regions of British Columbia — from the Kootenays to Vancouver Island, and from the Interior to the Bulkley Valley — will benefit from a variety of cost-shared flood protection initiatives announced today by the governments of Canada and British Columbia. See News Release.

Local governments to benefit from trees for tomorrow — Community organizations, First Nations and local governments are invited to apply to the Trees for Tomorrow program, a cost-sharing venture to plant millions of trees in the public areas of cities, towns, villages and regional districts throughout B.C. See News Release.

Province to raise roof on wood-frame construction — The Province will increase the limit on wood-frame construction in the BC Building Code from four to six storeys in January 2009. See News Release.

Municipalities receive climate action incentive — The Province will offset the carbon tax for local governments who have committed to become carbon neutral by 2012. See News Release. See also the CBC News Story.

$31-million cycling investment announced — Cyclists throughout British Columbia will benefit from new, safe and high-quality cycling trails, bike lanes, bike lockers and more, thanks to Bike BC, a $31-million program for cycling infrastructure, Premier Gordon Campbell announced. See News Release.

Province and UBCM Renew Commitment to First Nations — The Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together on the negotiation and implementation of agreements encompassed by the New Relationship with First Nations. See News Release.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Additional Tax Regulation for the City of Langford (255/2008) NEW
Sept. 19/08
see Reg 255/2008
British Columbia Building Code Regulation (216/2006) Sept. 5/08 by Reg 73/2008
College and Institute Act Sept. 1/08 by 2008 Bill 34 ss. 17-20 only (Reg 220/2008) University Amendment Act, 2008
Committees of the Executive Council Regulation (229/2005) Sept. 9/08 by Reg 246/2008
Degree Authorization Act Sept. 1/08 by 2008 Bill 34 ss. 21 only (Reg 220/2008) University Amendment Act, 2008
Designation of Special Purpose, Teaching Universities Regulation (220/2008) Sept. 1/08 see Reg 220/2008
Elevating Devices Safety Regulation (101/2004) Sept. 4/08 by Reg 243/2008
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Sept. 1/08 by 2007 Bill 15 s. 55 only (Reg 207/2008) Security Services Act
Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service Operations Regulations (484/2004) Sept. 19/08 renamed "South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Operations Regulations", see Reg 257/2008
Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service Regulation (454/2004) Sept. 19/08 renamed "South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Regulation", see Reg 257/2008
Police Act Sept. 1/08 by 2007 Bill 15 s. 57 only (Reg 207/2008) Security Services Act
Ports Property Tax New Investment Regulation (538/2004) Sept. 9/08 by Reg 248/2008
Prescribed Entity Regulation (64/99) Sept. 19/08 by Reg 257/2008
Prescribed Police Forces Regulation (70/99) Sept. 19/08 by Reg 257/2008
Saltspring Island Local Trust Committee Referendum Regulation (247/2008) NEW
Sept. 9/08
see Reg 247/2008
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Operations Regulations (484/2004) Sept. 19/08 formerly known as "Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service Operations Regulations", see Reg 257/2008
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Regulation (454/2004) Sept. 19/08 formerly known as "Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service Regulation", see Reg 257/2008
Thompson Rivers University Act Sept. 1/08 by 2008 Bill 34 ss. 23-27 only (Reg 220/2008) University Amendment Act, 2008
University Act Sept. 1/08 by 2008 Bill 34 ss. 1-15 only (Reg 220/2008) University Amendment Act, 2008
Water Conservation Plumbing Regulation (198/2005) REPEALED
Sept. 5/08
by Reg 73/2008
MISCELLANEOUS
Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
There were no amendments this month.
MOTOR VEHICLE RELATED

Motor Vehicle News:

End to Coquihalla Tolls — Tolls on the Coquihalla Highway were removed over the weekend it was announced. See News Release.

Record Keeping Requirements for Local Drivers under the Hours of Service Regulation — A new bulletin was recently issued by the Commercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement branch in order to clarify the record keeping requirements for local drivers who are exempt from the Daily Log Requirement under s.37.18.01(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (B.C. Reg. 26/58). Click here for details: Bulletin.

Consumer Taxation Branch — The Notice to Interjurisdictional Carriers clarifies the record keeping requirements of interjurisdictional carriers who license commercial vehicles under a prorate agreement, such as the International Registration Plan (IRP). For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation (89/97) Sept. 1/08
by Reg 193/2008
REAL ESTATE & BUILDERS LIEN RELATED

Consumer Taxation Branch — The following bulletins have been revised:

  • Bulletin SST 121, Security Systems. The Security Systems - Frequently Asked Questions webpage has also been updated.
  • Bulletin SST 078, Fixtures
  • Bulletin SST 048, Sales and Leases of Portable Buildings
  • Bulletin SST 072, Real Property Contractors
  • The Certificate of Exemption – Contractors form (FIN 453/C) is now available. Contractors will use this form to purchase materials and equipment exempt from PST on behalf of eligible customers, under contracts that are entered into on, or after, October 1, 2008.
  • Bulletin SST 014, Manufactured Homes for Residential Use
  • Bulletin SST 046, Exemption for Indians and Indian Bands
  • Bulletin GEN 007, Exemption for Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps
For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Residential Tenancy Regulation (477/2003)
Sept. 9/08 by Reg 249/2008
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