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Vol: X  –  Issue: II  –  February 2011

QUICKSCRIBE NEWS:

Brief Sitting of the Legislature and Selection of New Premier
The Legislature met in mid-February for a brief session to pass an interim supply bill. Then on Feb. 26, Christy Clark was elected as the Leader of the BC Liberals, making her the premier-designate. The biggest issue for the Clark government is the province-wide vote on whether to scrap the HST. Clark has promised to move the vote from Sept. 24 to June 24. But the September date is set in law because it's part of a former premier Bill Vander Zalm's successful anti-HST petition, which was submitted under the Recall and Initiative Act. The government would have to recall the legislature and amend the legislation to change the date said a spokesman for Elections B.C. Even then, the law requires 90 days' notice before a vote, so changes would have to be finalized by March 26 to hit a June 24 target. See the Full Story as posted by the Times-Colonist.

BC Legislative Digest Update
With no date set for the House to resume, we have decided to take advantage of this time to further refine and enhance the upcoming BC Legislative Digest service. We are very excited about this initiative and thank you for your patience. We hope to have the new service available shortly.


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

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CATEGORIES
 

ENERGY & MINES

Energy and Mines News:

Survey: B.C. Lags Behind Other Provinces In
Attractiveness To Mining Sector

Alberta and Saskatchewan are among the three most attractive jurisdictions in the world for mineral exploration and development, according to the Fraser Institute's annual survey of mining executives. "B.C. continues to be viewed poorly, with respondents citing land claims issues, environmental uncertainty, and political turmoil at the provincial level as reasons to remain hesitant about investing in British Columbia," said Fred McMahon, the institute's vice-president of international policy research. See the Full Story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

New Round Of Credits Keep Oil And Gas Building In B.C.
The Province is putting up to $120 million in royalty credits on the table to spark the next round of infrastructure development in B.C.'s petroleum and natural gas sector. See the News Release.

Northwest Transmission Line Project Approved
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) has received an environmental assessment certificate for the proposed Northwest Transmission Line project. The proposed $404-million project includes a new 287-kilovolt transmission line, 344-kilometres from the existing Skeena substation south of Terrace to a new substation near Bob Quinn Lake. The project would include new access roads, an upgrade to the existing Skeena substation and construction of the new Bob Quinn substation, which would incorporate 287-kilovolt line terminations and related equipment. See the News Release.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Administrative Penalties Regulation (35/2011) NEW
Feb. 18/11
see Reg 35/2011
Consultation and Notification Regulation (279/2010) Feb. 28/11 by Reg 7/2011
Special Direction No. 9 to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (157/2005) Feb. 3/11 by Reg 23/2011
FAMILY, WILLS & ESTATES

Family, Wills and Estates News:

Common-Law Couples Who Break Up Must Share Wealth -
Unanimous Ruling On Cases in B.C., Ontario

Canada's top court has weighed in on breakups of unmarried couples who live together, concluding that a person who profits within the relationship with the help of a partner must share what he or she accumulates. In a unanimous decision on two cases from Ontario and British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that a person deserves fair compensation for making a sacrifice, such as giving up a career, in support of a partner, when he or she is engaged in a "joint venture" as a common-law couple. See the Full Story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

A Gift that Lasts
When does a gift take effect? Is it enough to tell a friend or relative that you give them your car or your shares in a company, or are further steps required? The British Columbia Court of Appeal recently addressed these questions. See the Full Article as posted by Amy A. Mortimore of Clark Wilson. Some key points:

  • a gift takes effect once there is both an expressed intention to make a gift, and an actual delivery of the property takes place
  • if the alleged transferor was unduly influenced, this could cause a Court to set aside the alleged gift
  • a gift, if validly made, removes all rights of the transferor to determine how or whether the transferee disposes of it. Specifically, a gift cannot be validly made "for tax purposes only" with the expectation that it still remains the property of the transferor.

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

Forest and Environment News:

Environmental Legislative Policy –
NDP Front Runners Vow to Cast Aside Many of the Current Policies

Two front-runners in the NDP leadership race are promising to cast aside much of Gordon Campbell's environmental legacy should either become elected premier. The list of commitments from Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth include opposing the Enbridge oil pipeline, increasing funding for the BC Parks system, restoring confidence in the agricultural land reserve, toughening the environmental assessment process, and questioning the need for the planned Site C hydro dam on the Peace River. See the Full Story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

China Lumber Sales Set New Standard in 2010
For the first time ever, China is the number-one overseas destination for B.C. lumber in terms of value as well as volume, it was announced following a record-breaking month and year for exports to China. B.C. lumber exports to China for 2010 are valued at about $687 million, more than double the value of shipments in 2009 and, for the first time ever, exceed the value of softwood products shipped to Japan. See the Full Article as posted by the Council of Forest Industries.

Forest Safety Ombudsman Announces Silviculture Review
BC Forest Safety Ombudsman Roger Harris has announced he'll be conducting a review of the B.C. silviculture camp system, a move prompted by the revelation that workers suffered in squalid camp conditions near Golden last summer. That incident led to a larger investigation of silviculture contractor Khaira Enterprises Ltd., which was last month ordered to pay 58 employees $236,500 in unpaid wages. The investigation into the company uncovered other camps where workers lived in substandard conditions, including near Revelstoke, Kamloops, Texada Island and Salmon Arm. See the Full Story as posted by the Revelstoke Times Review.

Ottawa will Implement Additional Export Charges for Ontario and Quebec
Canada will increase export charges on softwood lumber to the United States, the government said recently after an arbitration court ruled it had wrongly subsidized lumber exports. The London Court of International Arbitration supported U.S. claims that Canada broke the terms of a 5-year-old agreement on bilateral lumber trade. After reviewing the decision, Canada's International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said the tribunal ruled that "loan guarantee programs that specifically benefit the softwood lumber industry contravene the Softwood Lumber Agreement." See the Full Story as posted by Industry Week.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Allowable Annual Cut Partition Regulation (32/2011) NEW
Feb. 18/11
see Reg 32/2011
Commercial River Rafting Safety Act REPEALED
Feb. 3/11
by Reg 25/2011
Commercial River Rafting Safety Regulation (107/99) REPEALED
Feb. 3/11
by Reg 25/2011
Forest Act Feb. 18/11 by 2010 Bill 7, c. 11, ss. 3 and 5 only, (Reg 32/2011) Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2010
Feb. 23/11 by 2010 Bill 18, c. 17, s. 16 only, (Reg 47/2011) Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act
Forest and Range Practices Act Feb. 23/11 by 2010 Bill 18, c. 17, ss. 17 to 19 only, (Reg 47/2011) Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act
Hunting Regulation (190/84) Feb. 3/11 by Reg 12/2011
Limited Entry Hunting Regulation (134/93) Feb. 23/11 by Reg 48/2011
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (296/97) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 312/2010
Water Regulation (204/88) Feb. 3/11 by Reg 24/2011
HEALTH

Health News:

Environmentalists Claim Health Canada Proposes
Secretive Approach to Pesticide Re-Evaluations

Health Canada, through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), is supposed to approve every pesticide before it's sold or used in Canada. While the PMRA itself cautions against claims that the pesticides it approves are safe, proponents of pesticide use often make just this claim. Meanwhile, environmental and health groups often see the PMRA as overly tied to industry and point to the difficulties in ensuring that pesticides are safe over the long-term (especially on the basis of laboratory testing provided by experts paid for by the pesticide companies). See the Full Article as posted by Andrew Gage with West Coast Environmental Law.

Tim Hortons doubles as New Westminster emergency room
Conditions were so crowded recently at Royal Columbian Hospital that patients from the emergency department were temporarily moved into the New Westminster facility's Tim Hortons restaurant. It was used because the hallways were already packed. David Plug of the Fraser Health Authority said the Tim Hortons had never been used for patients previously. But its proximity to the emergency room and the lack of any other readily available space led to the decision to use the restaurant, which was already closed. But Health Minister Colin Hansen defended the hospital and pointed out that an expansion in emergency room capacity is currently underway at Surrey Memorial that will increase its capacity five-fold – in 2013. See the Full Story as posted by the Province.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Access to PharmaNet Regulation (117/2009) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Continuing Care Fees Regulation (330/97) Mar. 1/11 s. 5.1(3) repeals s. 5.1
Health Care Consent Regulation (20/2000) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Hospital Insurance Act Regulation (25/61) Mar. 1/11 s. 8.4(3) repeals s. 8.4
Podiatrists Act REPEALED
Feb. 1/11
by 2003 Bill 62, c. 57, s. 58(g) only, (Reg 169/2010) Health Professions Amendment Act, 2003
Podiatrists Regulation (214/2010) Feb. 1/11 ss. 3-5 & 7 added, see Reg 214/2010
LABOUR, COMPANY & FINANCE

Labour, Company and Finance News:

B.C. Opposes Single Securities Regulator Bill
The B.C. government recently added its voice to those provinces opposed to Ottawa's proposed legislation to create a national securities regulator. Provincial Finance Minister Colin Hansen said the province supports the idea, but wants it achieved through co-operation. Ottawa has responsibility over trade and commerce, while provincial governments have responsibility over property and civil rights, Hansen said. A national securities regulator has the support of many business groups, including the Canadian Bankers Association, and has been recommended by both the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. See the Full Story as posted by CBCnews.

Employment Law Update: Duty to Mitigate
A British Columbia Court of Appeal judgment serves as a reminder that dismissed employees have a duty to mitigate damages by finding alternative employment. It also reminded employers that if they are found to have failed to provide reasonable notice, despite the employee having fully mitigated his or her loss, in certain circumstances nominal damages may be awarded to the employee, along with costs. See the Full Article as posted by Christopher Johnston with Harper Grey.

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

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Approved Plan Regulation (143/2005) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Child in the Home of a Relative Program Transition Regulation (48/2010) Feb. 3/11 by Reg 16/2011
Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Regulation (113/2010) Mar. 1/11 by Reg 31/2011
Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (265/2002) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Employment and Assistance Regulation (263/2002) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Employment Standards Regulation (396/95) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Exemption Regulation (27/2002) Feb. 15/11 by Reg 29/2011
Government Reporting Entity Regulation (134/2001) Feb. 15/11 by Reg 29/2011
Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit Regulation (187/2010) RETROACTIVE
to Sept. 1/10
by Reg 33/2011
National Instrument 23-101: Trading Rules (252/2001) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 31/2010
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (296/97) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 312/2010
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local Government News:

Municipalities Move to Ban Kitchen Scraps From Trash
By the end of next year, if you live in a house in Metro Vancouver, your kitchen scraps will be banned from the trash. That means everything from apple cores to chicken bones, bread crusts, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, paper towels and pizza boxes must be in your green bin instead of the garbage can. Port Coquitlam, which started its kitchen scraps program in 2007, has been followed by Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Moody, Richmond and Vancouver, which signed on last year. The North Shore will start programs this spring, while the other municipalities will be on board by the end of the year. See the Full Story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Regulation (175/2004) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 366/2010
Central Kootenay Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (45/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 45/2011
Cowichan Valley Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (38/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 38/2011
Fraser Valley Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (40/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 40/2011
Heritage Conservation Act Feb. 23/11 by 2010 Bill 18, c. 17, s. 20 only, (Reg 47/2011) Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act
Kootenay Boundary Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (41/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 41/2011
Liquor Control and Licensing Act Feb. 11/11 by 2010 Bill 20, c. 21, s. 117 only (Reg 26/2011) Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 2010
Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation (244/2002) Feb. 11/11 by Reg 26/2011
Peace River Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (43/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 43/2011
Regional District of Central Okanagan Approval Exemption Regulation (37/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 37/2011
Regional District of East Kootenay Approval Exemption Regulation (39/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 39/2011
Regional District of North Okanagan Approval Exemption Regulation (42/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 42/2011
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (46/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 46/2011
Sunshine Coast Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (44/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 44/2011
Thompson-Nicola Regional District Approval Exemption Regulation (36/2011) NEW
Feb. 21/11
see Reg 36/2011
MISCELLANEOUS
Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act NEW
Feb. 1/11
c. 8 (SBC 2010) 2010 Bill 16 in force by Reg 10/2011
Armoured Vehicle and After-market Control Regulation (10/2011) NEW
Feb. 1/11
see Reg 10/2011
Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act Feb. 15/11 by 2010 Bill 9, c. 5, ss. 163 to 167 only, Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Act
Body Armour Control Act Feb. 1/11 by 2010 Bill 16, c. 8, ss. 22 to 26 only, (Reg 20/2011) Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act
Crime Victim Assistance (General) Regulation (161/2002) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Criminal Records Review Act Feb. 1/11 by Reg 169/2010
Gunshot and Stab Wound Disclosure Act NEW
Feb. 1/11
c. 7 (SBC 2010) 2010 Bill 12 in force by Reg 360/2010
Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act Feb. 23/11 see 2010 Bill 18, c. 17, ss. 1, 3 to 15 only, (Reg 47/2011) Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act
Ministers of State Expected Results for the 2011/2012 Fiscal Year Regulation (28/2011) NEW
Feb. 15/11
see Reg 28/2011
Supply Act (No. 1), 2011 NEW
Feb. 17/11
c. 1 (SBC 2011) 2011 Bill 3
MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC

Motor Vehicle and Traffic News:

B.C. to Allow Appeals for Drunk-driving Penalties
The B.C. government says it's considering changes to its tough drunk driving laws to allow drivers to challenge roadside penalties. Police have been slapping drivers with immediate roadside suspensions and fines since last year, when the new law took effect, making it illegal to drive with a .05 blood alcohol reading. After a flood of complaints from drivers over how the new law was being applied by police, the government ordered a review. See the Full Story as posted by CTV.

CVSE Circular Update - Soft Enforcement Extended for Hitch Offset Limits
This circular advises owners and operators of straight truck and pony or full trailer combinations, hauling separate loads on each vehicle – such as short logs or construction aggregate – that the hitch offset limits shown in Appendix B of the Commercial Transport Regulations (CTR) are: a maximum of 1.8 m for tandem drive trucks, and a maximum of 2.5 m for a tridem drive truck. Soft enforcement will be applied effective immediately and will expire on July 31, 2011. See the Circular. For the latest information from the CVSE, see What's New.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act NEW
Feb. 1/11
c. 8 (SBC 2010) 2010 Bill 16 in force by Reg 10/2011
Armoured Vehicle and After-market Control Regulation (10/2011) NEW
Feb. 1/11
see Reg 10/2011
Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation (89/97) Feb. 1/11 by Reg 11/2011
Feb. 3/11 by Regs 18/201119/2011 and 25/2011
REAL ESTATE & BUILDERS LIEN

Real Estate and Builders Lien News:

Strata Survey Available
The provincial government's web survey on strata regulations that are being developed for depreciation reports, audited financial statements and changes to the Form B (information disclosure) is available for input. (The survey is being hosted by BC Stats so confidentiality will be assured.) You are welcome to complete the strata survey, which closes 4:30 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011.

Standards, Legislation and Requirements -
Protections You Get When Working with a Realtor

The real estate profession is one of the most highly regulated in the country. The Real Estate Council of BC is a regulatory agency established by the provincial government to protect consumers through the licensing of all individuals who practice real estate in the province. The conduct requirements for all real estate licensees and brokerages include:

  • Undivided loyalty. The brokerage must protect the client's negotiating position at all times, and disclose all known facts, which may affect or influence their decision.
  • Obey all lawful instructions of the seller.
  • Keep the confidences of clients.
  • Exercise reasonable care and skill in performing all assigned duties.
  • Account for all money and property placed in a brokerage's hands while acting for the client.
The above speaks to the minimum required under the Real Estate Services Act. Realtors are subject to a higher standard. As members of their local real estate board, Realtors are also required to adhere to the Canadian Real Estate Association's REALTOR® Code and Standards of Business Practice. See the Full Story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Interest Rate Regulation (30/2011) NEW
Feb. 16/11
see Reg 30/2011
Interest Rate Regulation (261/2010) REPEALED
Feb. 16/11
replaced by Reg 30/2011
Land Act Feb. 23/11 see 2010 Bill 18, c. 17, s. 21 only, (Reg 47/2011) Haida Gwaii Reconciliation Act
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