Energy and Mines News:

New Efficient Light-bulb Standards Take Effect in B.C.
New standards promoting energy-efficient light bulbs and phasing out of older incandescent bulbs are now in effect.

The Ministry of Energy states that effective Jan. 1 retailers can only continue to carry the old incandescent 75 and 100-watt bulbs until their stock runs out, although other incandescent wattages can continue to remain on store shelves. See the full story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Canada's Western Provinces Sign Pact to Harmonize Oil, Gas Laws
Canada's three energy-rich western provinces signed an agreement recently to harmonize regulations affecting the oil and gas industry in an effort to allow labour and investment to flow more freely among them. The governments of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding in which they will try to synchronize regulations for work qualifications, safety and transportation standards and energy development permits. The agreement comes as the growing energy industry in Canada is trying to secure access to a larger skilled work force. It also follows the creation in April of the New West Partnership among the three provinces – an informal alliance in which the three have tried to jointly promote the interests of their resource-based economies. See the full story by Edward Welsch, of Dow Jones Newswires.

Family, Wills and Estates News:

Changes to Criminal Records Review Act
Require Background Checks for Care Givers
Individuals working with children or vulnerable adults and have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults must authorize a Criminal Record Check for their employer or authorized organization. This authorization is submitted to the Criminal Records Review Program for review. The amendments cover facilities regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, private hospitals and extended care facilities regulated under the Hospital Act, and home support agencies and adult day programs. These amendments will be phased in over the next 12 months. See the summary of changes.

Federal – Child Benefit Rules Change: Parents Who Share Custody
can Now Split Child Tax Benefit, Universal Child Care Benefit, GST, HST
Parents who live separately but share custody of a child can now separately receive their Canada Child Tax Benefit, Universal Child Care Benefit, and the child component of the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit. This applies to benefits paid starting July 2011. See the full story as posted by the Vancouver Sun. In addition, get further information from the federal department of finance.

Forest and Environment News:

B.C. Forest Exports Now Open to India?
Mike de Jong, candidate for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party, announced recently that an important achievement has been reached that will facilitate a significant increase in lumber exports to India.

India's Minister of Agriculture has granted approval for the importation of spruce, pine and fir species (SPF) lumber that has been heat-treated for phytosanitary reasons into the India market. See the full story as posted by Opinion 250.

Critical Habitat for Endangered Species –
What is the Scope of Protection?
A recent decision of the Federal Court found that a Protection Statement and a Protection Order for the Northern and Southern Resident populations of the Killer Whale, issued under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), are unlawful. The court confirmed that SARA creates stricter protections for the critical habitat of aquatic species than other federal legislation such as the Fisheries Act. This ruling adds to the growing body of law under SARA in which the courts have been critical of the manner in which the government, and in particular the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (the DFO), has been implementing SARA. It also raises the broader thorny issue of how areas with critical habitat can be managed without dramatically impacting economic activity. See the full article as posted by Janice Walton with the Environmental Group of Blakes.

Province Releases Third State of Forests Report
The most intensive and thorough report ever produced on the state of B.C.'s forests suggests sound laws and policies, including public reporting by an independent Forest Practices Board, are supporting sustainable forest management in British Columbia, it was recently announced.

The report provides detailed, yet easy-to-understand information on 91 indicators of forest sustainability and management. The 2010 report is the result of a two-year effort by a team of 30 staff from several natural resource ministries, supported by over 130 contributors and advisors from many organizations. See the news release. In addition, see the full story as posted by LDNews.

Health News:

Changes to Criminal Records Review Act
Require Background Checks for Care Givers
Individuals working with children or vulnerable adults and have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults must authorize a Criminal Record Check for their employer or authorized organization. This authorization is submitted to the Criminal Records Review Program for review. The amendments cover facilities regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, private hospitals and extended care facilities regulated under the Hospital Act, and home support agencies and adult day programs. These amendments will be phased in over the next 12 months. See the summary of changes.

Pilot Program to Explore Weekend Meat Inspection
A pilot program will look at the viability of establishing weekend meat slaughter inspection in the North Okanagan, it was recently announced. This pilot project will allow government to gain valuable insights and knowledge about meat inspection alternatives. See the news release.

Ontario Raw-milk Advocate Takes Over
Controversial Chilliwack Dairy
Almost one year after winning an Ontario court battle, farmer Michael Schmidt is running a Chilliwack raw-milk dairy to keep its owner from violating a court order.

In January, an Ontario justice threw out 19 charges laid against Schmidt for providing raw milk and raw-milk products through his cow-share business in Durham, Ont.

Schmidt had argued he wasn't guilty of distributing to 150 customers because they were all entitled to the milk after each purchasing a $350 share in the cows he kept at Glencolton Farms.

Alice Jongerden, who ran Home on the Range dairy in Chilliwack, faced contempt-of-court charges for distributing raw milk contrary to a B.C. Supreme Court ruling but not punished because she stopped running the dairy. Schmidt has taken over and is operating under the name Our Cows Herdshare. See the full story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Labour, Company and Finance News:

Private Pensions, Not CPP, are Government Priority
The Conservative government intends to "put the meat on the bones" of its recently announced private-sector pension plan but will hold off on changes to the Canada Pension Plan, says the newly appointed minister of state for finance.

Ted Menzies, former parliamentary secretary to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, said it's not "the right time" to make amendments to the CPP. Instead, the government plans to forge ahead with legislation to solidify the Pooled Registered Pension Plan, a plan for workers and employers who are self-employed, employed on contractor work for small businesses. See the full story as posted by canada.com.

B.C. Corporate Income Tax Reduced
Businesses in British Columbia will pay less in provincial corporate income tax as B.C.'s rate drops to 10 per cent (from 10.5 percent) on Jan. 1, 2011. See the news release.

Government of Canada Highlights Tax Relief for 2011
The Government of Canada has posted some important tax changes taking effect in 2011. See the federal department of finance website.

B.C. Legislation Cited in Credit Card Case –
B.C. Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act
A Vancouver lawyer representing a mentally ill woman saddled with credit card debt is taking a stand against Capital One, saying it may not have been legal for the company to issue her a card in the first place.

"The [B.C.] legislation says it's an 'unconscionable' practice to give someone a credit card if you know there is no prospect of her repaying it," said George Gregory, pro bono lawyer. See the full story as posted by CBC News.

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

Local Government News:

New Municipal Election Legislation In Question
Plans to bring in new election legislation in time for November's civic elections may be in jeopardy as a result of the provincial leadership vacuum in Victoria. Most of the Liberal leadership contenders said they can't guarantee the provincial government will stick to its promise to bring in legislative changes this spring that would significantly change the rules surrounding elections for new municipal councils, regional district boards and school boards throughout B.C. this fall. The proposed new regulations would ban anonymous donations, tighten disclosure rules, establish expense limits, regulate third-party advertisers and give Elections BC authority to enforce the regulations. See the full story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Higher Homeowner Grant Threshold Protects Taxpayers
More than one million B.C. homeowners with homes valued up to $1.15 million may be eligible for the full homeowner grant amount as the Province raises the threshold by 10 per cent for the 2011 tax year.

BC Assessment estimates the value of most properties (homes) as of July 1 each year, based on market value. Assessment notices were mailed to all property owners Dec. 31, 2010. See the news release.

Miscellaneous News:

New B.C. Legislation to Curb Gang Violence will Kick in February 1st, 2011
New legislation, the Gunshot and Stab Wound Disclosure Act, will soon go into effect to help curb gang and gun violence in B.C.

The mandatory legislation will have all hospitals and doctor's offices report gunshot or stab wounds to police as soon as the patient comes in. Most of the country already has a similar legislation in place. See the full story as posted by News1130.

Motor Vehicle and Traffic News:

New Laws = Fewer Prosecutions
Although police in B.C. now have more power to crack down on impaired drivers, early statistics suggest that the tough new laws are actually letting some of the worst offenders off the hook. See the full story as posted by CTV News.

Federal – Truck Drivers to Get More Deductions
Long-haul truck drivers can deduct more of their meal expenses. The amount is up to 80 per cent from 75 per cent for expenses incurred after 2010. Get further information from the federal department of finance.

Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement news
For the latest information from the CVSE, see What's New. The following have been revised:

• Circular 08-10 – Increase of the maximum allowable axle weight for tridem axle groups in "Heavy Haul" applications (December 30, 2010)
• Form T-69A – To be used for the transportation of vehicles/loads in excess of 4.4 metres Width up to and including 5.0 metres, loads up to 4.88 metres in height and Vehicles/loads up to 31.5 metres overall length. (December 22, 2010 – Revised)
• Notice 06-10 – Construction-related load restrictions on Silver Hope Creek Bridge westbound lanes LIFTED (December 21, 2010 – New)
• Form T-59 – Conditions for Long Combination Vehicles (LCV): Turnpike Doubles (TPD) and Rocky Mountain Doubles (RMD) (Updated)
• Form T-59A – LCV Designated Routing – Both Directions (Updated)
• Circular 11-10 – New T Forms – T-59 and T-59 A for Long Combination Vehicles (LCV)
• – REPEAL of Bulletins and Compliance Circulars for Brake Inspection Guidelines (December 9, 2010 – New)

Real Estate and Builders Lien News:

Higher Homeowner Grant Threshold Protects Taxpayers
More than one million B.C. homeowners with homes valued up to $1.15 million may be eligible for the full homeowner grant amount as the Province raises the threshold by 10 per cent for the 2011 tax year.

BC Assessment estimates the value of most properties (homes) as of July 1 each year, based on market value. Assessment notices were mailed to all property owners Dec. 31, 2010. See the news release.

Survey of Proposed Strata Property Act Regulations
The Housing Policy Branch in the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General will be carrying out a web survey in early 2011 on the regulations being developed for depreciation reports and audited financial statements. Check the Housing Policy Strata Properties webpage for when the strata survey is posted in early 2011. See the article as posted by the Vancouver Island Strata Owner Association. In addition, see the government Housing and Construction Standards website.

Builders' Group Seeks Input on Potential Impact of 'Leaky-condo' Court Decision
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association is keen to know how its member companies might be impacted by a precedent-setting Supreme Court of Canada decision involving the province's leaky-condo owners. The concern is if insurance companies view it as a risk, there might be an additional cost to contractors for that risk.

However, a spokesman for the insurance industry believes rates likely won't rise – at least not sharply – because the contractors are already paying for much of the legal uncertainty surrounding the leaky-condo issue. See the full story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Council Must Spill Beans Before You Purchase
What happens when a buyer wants access to information regarding a condo and the strata council will not release the information? The Strata Property Act makes provisions for the supply of documents including contracts. See the full story as posted by the Times Colonist.