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Vol: XIII  –  Issue: XII  –  December 2014

QUICKSCRIBE NEWS:

Attention Law Firms – Start 2015 With a Free CPD Credit!
Building off the success of the previous webinar, Quickscribe has once again teamed up with Courthouse Libraries BC to offer a free lunch and learn webinar on the new version of Quickscribe Online 2.0 on Wednesday, January 14th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Ninety per cent of survey respondents from the previous session in December indicated they would recommend this webinar to a colleague. Please assist us by forwarding this opportunity to others in your firm. To learn more or to register, click here. A webinar is also forthcoming for those clients who are not part of law firms.

Using IE 8?
It was recently brought to our attention that for those using Internet Explorer version 8, the "View Annotations For This Law" feature was not properly displaying all of the annotations. This issue has now been resolved. A number of other bugs have also recently been fixed and a number of new features added. For example, you can now view all annotations made by a particular user by clicking their bio and then "View Annotations by User". More enhancements are on the way …


Tip: Log in to Quickscribe Online prior to clicking Reporter links.


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

[ Previous Reporters ]

CATEGORIES
COMPANY & FINANCE
ENERGY & MINES
FAMILY & CHILDREN
FOREST & ENVIRONMENT
HEALTH
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
  LOCAL GOVERNMENT
MISCELLANEOUS
MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAFFIC
PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE
WILLS & ESTATES

COMPANY & FINANCE

Company and Finance News:

Did You "Use" That?: Interpreting BC's PST Legislation
The way the BC Provincial Sales Tax (PST) legislation is worded, PST is required to be paid on property that is "used" within BC. But what does "use" mean? Basically, if a person acquires something in BC and does anything other than ship it directly outside of the province, it will most likely be considered to be used in BC. "Use" is defined so broadly, it is nearly impossible to escape. Consider this scenario: You manufacture windows and doors in BC, ship them to your customers in Saskatchewan and install the windows and doors for your customers (either with your own employees or with subcontractors). Read the article by Angela Chang with MNP LLP. 

BC Securities – Policies & Instruments
The following policies and instruments were published on the BCSC website in the month of December:

  • 51-101 – CSA Notice of Amendments to National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities and Companion Policy 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities
    The proposed amendments would promote improved disclosure of resources other than reserves, provide for increased flexibility for oil and gas reporting issuers in different jurisdictions and align with the amended Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook. Subject to obtaining required ministerial approval, the amendments will come into force on July 1, 2015.
  • 81-101 – Implementation of the Third Stage of Point of Sale Disclosure for Mutual Funds – Pre-Sale Delivery of Fund Facts – CSA Notice of Amendments to National Instrument 81-101 Mutual Fund Prospectus Disclosure and its Companion Policy
  • 41-101 – CSA Notice and Request for Comment - Proposed Amendments to Certain National and Multilateral Instruments and Policies Related to the Recognition of Aequitas Neo Exchange Inc.
    The comment period ends on March 11, 2015.
  • BCIN 33-705 – Notice of Amended BC Interpretation Note 33-705 Conditions of Registration for Investment Dealers with a BC Office that Trade in the U.S. Over-the-Counter Markets
    The BCSC is amending BC Interpretation Note 33-705 Conditions of Registration for Investment Dealers with a BC Office that Trade in the U.S. Over-the-Counter Markets. The BCSC will renew with only one change conditions of registration on all investment dealers that trade in securities of OTC issuers through an office in British Columbia. The amendments to BCIN 33-705 reflect that change – there is no expiry date.
  • MFDA – Notice of BCSC Non-Objection to Proposed Amendments to MFDA Rules 2.8.3 (Rates of Return), 5.3 (Client Reporting) and 5.4 (Trade Confirmations)
    This Notice announces the BCSC non-objection to the proposed amendments to MFDA Rules 2.8.3 (Rates of Return) , 5.3 (Client Reporting), and 5.4 (Trade Confirmation), and amendments to related rules, policies and forms.
  • BCN 2014/13 – Notice of Strip Bond Information Statement under BC Instrument 91-504 Government Strip Bonds [BCN]
    This notice announces that the Executive Director has approved a revised information statement under BC Instrument 91-504 Government Strip Bonds. It also revokes the previous strip bond information statement.

For more information visit the BC Securities website.

PST Bulletins
The following PST bulletins and notices were issued in the month of December:

For more information, visit the Consumer Taxes website.

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Designated Accommodation Area Tax Regulation (392/2008) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 260/2014
Jan. 1/15 by Reg 179/2014
Income Tax Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Jan. 1/15 by 2012 Bill 54, c. 35, section 252 only (in force by Royal Assent), Provincial Sales Tax Act
Insurance Premium Tax Act Interest Regulation (52/2003) Dec. 1/14 by Reg 207/2014
National Instrument 21-101: Marketplace Operation (251/2001) Dec. 31/14 by Reg 237/2014
National Instrument 81-102: Investment Funds (2/2000) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 180/2014
Prescribed Class of Property and Payment Amount Determination Regulation (261/2014) NEW
Dec. 22/14
see Reg 261/2014
ENERGY & MINES

Energy and Mines News:

BC Oil Gas Commission to Implement Area-Based
Analysis in Application Review Process

Effective January 5, 2015, the BC Oil and Gas Commission (the "OGC") will begin using "Area-based Analysis" in considering applications for oil and gas activities in northeastern BC. The stated intention of Area-based Analysis is to integrate the requirements of existing statutes and regulations and allow the OGC to better and more consistently take into account the cumulative impact of industrial development when assessing applications for oil and gas activities. The combined footprint impact of all industrial development on the selected "values" will be taken into account. This includes all surface land use disturbance associated with oil and gas activity, geophysical activity, cutblocks and non-oil activity (such as mining, recreation, hydro, wind power, transmission lines). The OGC and the Ministries of Forests and Lands and Natural Resource Operations have been collaboratively developing this new approach since 2012. The process is similar to the current cumulative impact assessments carried out by the Environmental Assessment Office, but will apply to all applications for oil and gas activities, not just major projects. It will cover the entire Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin in northeastern BC, including all four key development basins (Liard; Horn River; Montney; and Cordova). The OGC has identified eight "values" that will be considered in the process. Only the first two will be used at the outset. The others are expected to be implemented over time. Read the full article by Williams, Rick; Bottomer, Timothy with Borden Ladner Gervais.

BC Regulations Ban Oil and Bitumen
from Natural Gas Pipelines

British Columbia's government says pipelines built to support the liquefied natural gas industry will not end up carrying oil or bitumen. The Natural Gas Development Ministry says a new regulation prohibits proposed natural gas pipelines from transporting oil or diluted bitumen. Aboriginal Relations Minister John Rustad says in a statement that the oil-and-bitumen-free pipeline regulation should address concerns of BC First Nations about possible environmental issues associated to oil pipelines. Read The Vancouver Sun article

British Columbia Environmental Appeal Board
Reduces Redundancy in Appeal Proceedings

On December 4, 2014, the British Columbia Environmental Appeal Board (the "Board") issued reasons in a preliminary hearing relating to an appeal against Rio Tinto Alcan Inc.'s ("Rio Tinto") amended multi-media permit (the "Permit") for its Kitimat Modernization Project.

A. Background
The Permit authorizes Rio Tinto to discharge effluent, emissions, and waste from its aluminum smelter located in Kitimat, British Columbia. In April 2012, the Director, under authority of the Environmental Management Act (the "Act"), approved certain amendments to the Permit, which were sought by Rio Tinto in support of a project designed to modernize and increase the production at the Kitimat smelter. The amendment authorized an increase in the sulphur dioxide emission limit and added several conditions to the Permit, including a requirement to develop and implement an environmental effects monitoring plan (the "Plan") which is approved by the Ministry of Environment. The amendment also required Rio Tinto to submit to the Director a review of Plan results. If the said results were determined to be unacceptable, the maximum sulphur dioxide discharge limit would revert back to the original amount, unless the Director otherwise amended the discharge limit. The relevant chronology of the proceedings related to the Permit is as follows:
Read the full article by Paul Cassidy and Monika Sawicka with McCarthy Tétrault LLP. 
Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Administrative Penalties Regulation (316/2012) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 264/2014
Direction No. 5 to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (245/2013) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 265/2014
Hydro and Power Authority Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, section 34 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Reporting Regulation (272/2009) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 253/2014
Vancouver Island Natural Gas Pipeline Act Jan. 1/15 by 2014 Bill 4, c. 31, section 14 only (in force by Royal Assent), Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2014
FAMILY & CHILDREN

Family and Children News:

Family Law Act – New Annotation
John-Paul Boyd, a frequent contributor to Quickscribe, has published a new annotation regarding the recent Supreme Court Decision on jurisdiction in property cases under the Family Law Act. A quick way to review all of the recent annotations published on the FLA is to click the "View Annotations for this Law" button located on the top menu bar once you are in the Act itself.

The Incapable Spouse
From CLEBC
This paper from WESA for Family Lawyers (October 2014) examines the impact of capacity on issues arising at many points along the continuum of a family relationship: from marriage to separation to spousal support. The writers offer seven practical tips for lawyers acting for a person who lacks capacity, or for the representative of that person. Visit the CLEBC website for more information and to view the paper

Amendments to the Supreme Court Family Rules
The Supreme Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 169/2009, were amended on December 22, 2014 by B.C. Reg. 249/2014, and include the following:

1 Rule 1-1 (1) of the Supreme Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 169/2009, is amended
  (a) by adding the following definition:
"FHRMIRA order" means an order made under the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act (Canada) or under a First Nation's law made under that Act; , and
  (b) in the definition of "family law case" by adding the following paragraph:
(b.1) a FHRMIRA order; .
2 Rule 4-4 (1) is amended by adding the following paragraph:
(b.1) a claim for a FHRMIRA order; .
3 Rule 5-1 is amended
  (a) in subrule (1) in the definition of "party"
    (i) by striking out "or" at the end of paragraph (b),
    (ii) in paragraph (d) by striking out "Family Law Act;" and substituting "Family Law Act, or" , and
    (iii) by adding the following paragraph:
(e) a FHRMIRA order;
  (b) in subrule (2) by adding the following paragraph:
(c.1) if, in the family law case, a person is seeking to obtain, vary or revoke a FHRMIRA order, subrules (1), (3) and (10) to (32) apply; , and
  (c) in subrule (10) by striking out "the Family Law Act or against whom such a claim is being made must" and substituting "the Family Law Act or applying for a FHRMIRA order, or against whom such a claim or an application is being made, must" .
4 Rule 7-1 (3) is amended by adding the following paragraph:
    (b.1) an application for an order under section 32 or 39 of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act (Canada) or a First Nation's law made under that Act with respect to an equivalent matter; ,
5 Rule 13-3 (1) (a) is amended by striking out "Family Law Act," and substituting "Family Law Act or out of an application for a FHRMIRA order," .
Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Adult Guardianship Act Dec. 1/14 by 2007 Bill 29, c. 34, sections 1 (c), (k) (part), 4 (part) and 17 (part) (in force by Reg 25/2014, repealing Reg 131/2013, as amended by Reg 203/2014), Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, as amended by 2008 Bill 33, c. 30, section 2 only (in force by Royal Assent), Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, and 2014 Bill 14, c. 9, sections 1, 3 to 5, 7 and 9 only (in force by Reg 115/2014), Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
Supreme Court Family Rules (169/2009) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 249/2014
Statutory Property Guardianship Regulation (115/2014) NEW
Dec. 1/14
see Reg 115/2014 as amended by Reg 203/2014
FOREST & ENVIRONMENT

Forest and Environment News:

The Inherent Insecurity of Log Purchase Transactions
The British Columbia government has rights available under the Forest Act to assess underpayment of stumpage owing on harvested Crown timber and collect charges on top of any stumpage already paid on the timber at issue. In the November/December 2014 issue of BC Forest Professional, Davis LLP's Jeff Waatainen takes a look at security issues surrounding retroactive stumpage appraisal for those who enter into agreements for the purchase and sale of Crown timber. Jeff is a regular contributor to the "Legal Perspective" column in BC Forest Professional magazine and a contributor to Quickscribe EnviroFor. You can view the article on the Davis LLP website.

First Nations Angry that NAFTA Environment
Body Won't Probe BC Salmon Farms

Conservationists and First Nations are angry that NAFTA's environmental watchdog has rejected a recommendation to investigate Canada's handling of salmon farms along the BC coast. "I am deeply disappointed in Canada continuing to put wild salmon at risk," said Chief Bob Chamberlin of the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation. "This process may have ended, but our struggle to safeguard wild salmon will not falter for a moment." The Commission on Environmental Co-operation said Friday [December 12th] that its three-member council had voted against looking into accusations that Canada violated its own laws by allowing fish farms to harm wild salmon stocks through the spread of parasites. Canada and Mexico voted against the investigation, while the United States wanted to pursue it. Canada argued that there is already a lawsuit before the courts in BC. The commission's rules don't allow investigations into matters that are already the subject of legal proceedings. Read The Vancouver Sun article.  

Environmental Appeal Board Decisions
A number of Environmental Appeal Board decisions were released in the month of December. These include the following:

Environmental Management Act

Wildlife Act

Visit the Environmental Appeal website for more information.

Site C Dam Approved: Troubled Waters Ahead?
On December 16, 2014, the Province of BC made a Final Investment Decision to proceed with the development of Site C – an $8.335 billion dam project on the Peace River with the capacity to produce 1,100MW of electricity.
A Cheaper form of Clean Energy:
The Province's analysis, released together with news of its FID, concludes that Site C will be a cost-effective alternative to help meet future electricity demands in BC and in particular, will be cheaper than developing gas-fired plants operated by BC Hydro, or any alternative projects by Independent Power Producers.

A Landmark Major Project for BC:
Site C will be, in current dollars, the most expensive capital project ever undertaken by the Province and merits scrutiny and continuing review for that reason alone. But Site C is also interesting because it will, over the next few years, provide global insight into whether costs and construction schedules for major capital projects can be effectively managed.
Read the full article by Jonathan Drance and Rachel V. Hutton with Stikeman Elliott. 

Climate Change Round-Up
Legislative efforts to address climate change have attracted renewed attention in recent weeks. British Columbia and Alberta have developed emissions intensity regimes while, at a global level, a range of ideas are still percolating. BC's brand new regime regulates facilities that have yet to be built, whereas Alberta's regime is seven years old, with a legislated expiration date that was extended a second time on December 19, 2014 until June 30, 2015. A summary of these regimes, and other major climate change regimes relevant to British Columbia, follows below:

BC's Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act
In November, 2014, Bill 2, or the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, received Royal Assent. The new Act replaces the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act and regulates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. These facilities will be subject to a GHG emissions "intensity" benchmark of 0.16 carbon dioxide tonnes for each tonne of liquefied natural gas produced.

Read the full article by Matthew D. Keen, Jana McLean, and Michael Manhas with the law firm Bull Housser LLP. 

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Carbon Neutral Government Regulation (392/2008) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 124/2014
College of Applied Biology Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Cut Control Regulation (578/2004) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 252/2014
Hunting Licensing Regulation (8/99) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 266/2014
Limited Entry Hunting Regulation (134/93) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 266/2014
Logging Tax Act Interest Regulation (53/2003) Dec. 1/14 by Reg 207/2014
Range Act Dec. 1/14 by 2014 Bill 5, c. 7, sections 22, 26 and 34 only (in force by Reg 223/2014), Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Range Regulation (116/2005) Dec. 1/14 by Reg 223/2014
HEALTH

Health News:

Federal Government Loses Appeal to Stop Medical
Marijuana Patients from Growing Pot at Home

The Conservative government has lost its latest attempt to prevent medical marijuana users from growing pot at home, with the Federal Court of Appeal upholding an injunction that exempted patients from a massive overhaul of the system. New rules were introduced earlier this year that prohibited home growing and instead shifted production to commercial operations, but a group of patients is challenging that regime in a case expected to be heard in the new year. A Federal Court judge issued an injunction in the spring that allowed patients who were authorized to grow and possess marijuana under the old system to continue to do so until their case is resolved. Read the CBC article

Supreme Court Preparing Landmark Ruling on
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

After a hearing in October, the Supreme Court of Canada is preparing to issue a landmark ruling on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, marking the first time the top court has addressed the issue since 1993, when it upheld the criminal ban in the case of Sue Rodriguez. No date has been set for the decision, but the court has asked intervenors for their consent to a media preview, a routine practice for such high profile cases, by [January 12th]. The case is an appeal of a ruling by the British Columbia Court of Appeal, which overturned the victory at trial of the appellant Gloria Taylor. She and others convinced a lower court that the criminal law against assisting someone to commit suicide violated her right to life, liberty and security of the person, and her equality rights to be free of discrimination based on physical disability. Read the National Post article

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Health Professions Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Hospital District Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, section 32 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Medical and Health Care Services Regulation (426/97) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 144/2014
Medicare Protection Act Dec. 22/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 8, sections 96, 100 to 103 only (in force by Reg 254/2014), Laboratory Services Act
Patients Property Act Dec. 1/14 by 2014 Bill 14, c. 9, sections 30, 31 (part), 32 to 36 only (in force by Reg 115/2014 as amended by Reg 203/2014), Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
Provider Regulation (222/2014) NEW
Dec. 1/14
see Reg 222/2014
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

Labour and Employment News:

What is Physical Disability? BC Human Rights Tribunal
Confirms Legal Test under Human Rights Code
A decision this month by the BC Human Rights Tribunal (the "Tribunal") considered the evidence required to prove a "physical disability" under the Human Rights Code (Li v. Aluma Systems Inc. et al, 2014 BCHRT 270). Mr. Wan Ji Li based his complaint on the fact that his employment was terminated when his hands had become swollen and painful after a strenuous job at Aluma Systems. The medical evidence was that his swollen hands and pain would be resolved by use of muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication followed by a period of rest or light duties at work. The Tribunal considered the test for establishing a "physical disability". The tribunal affirmed its position that:

"… the concept of disability, for human rights purposes, has generally been held to involve a physiological state that is involuntary and has a degree of severity, permanence and/or persistence. Generally, the disability impairs a person's ability to carry out the normal functions of life to some degree and poses an impediment to a person's participation in the economic or other areas of life which the Code seeks to protect against. It is a case-by-case analysis."

Read the full article by Larry Page with Davis LLP. 

"Unlike" – Social Media Gaffes Not Cause
To Dismiss Communications Manager
Lack of Warnings about inappropriate online
posts was fatal to employer's case

As more people use social media to communicate in and out of the office, social media posts by employees are increasingly a concern for employers. In a recent case, the International Triathlon Union ("ITU") dismissed its Senior Manager of Communications, Paula Kim, because of negative posts she made on her personal blog and social media accounts. In Kim v. International Triathlon Union, the British Columbia Supreme Court found there was no just cause for her dismissal because she had not been clearly warned that her communications put her employment in jeopardy. Ms. Kim was considered the "voice of ITU". She was responsible for liasing with the media and writing materials for ITU's website, press releases, newsletter and Facebook account. Ms. Kim also kept a personal blog where she posted about her life, and had two Twitter accounts, one personal and one with the handle "Paula Kim ITU" where she posted about triathlon matters. ITU did not have any social media, communication or internet policies or a written contract with Ms. Kim, but Ms. Kim later stopped using the "Paula Kim ITU" account when requested by ITU. Read the entire article by Christopher McHardy with McCarthy Tetrault. 

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (265/2002) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 226/2014
Employment Standards Regulation (396/95) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 248/2014 and 250/2014
Workers Compensation Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Jan. 1/15 by 2014 Bill 17, c. 14, section 144 only (in force by Reg 257/2014), Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Local Government News:

SPCA, Burnaby City Officials Acted within Law in Seizing Dogs
and Cats from Rescuer, Court Rules
Judge rules one SPCA statement defamed animal rescuer

The BC SPCA and the City of Burnaby were operating within the law when they seized 52 dogs and 19 cats from a Burnaby animal rescuer in 2012, a judge has ruled. Sandra Simans sued the society and the city, alleging that the seizure was unlawful and that she and her rescue organization were defamed in news releases and statements to media. Simans runs 1atatime Rescue Society, which takes in disabled and abused animals from Canada, the U.S. and Asia. Until mid-2012 she kept the animals she rescued at a home where she lived in Burnaby. Read the full article published in The Province. 

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Assessment Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, sections 7 to 21 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Assessment Authority Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, sections 22 to 25 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
British Columbia Building Code Regulation (264/2012) Dec. 19/14 by Regs 173/2013, 140/2014 and 175/2014
British Columbia Teachers' Council Regulation (2/2012) Dec. 10/14 by Reg 236/2014
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Regulation (175/2004) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 256/2014
Canadian Pacific Railway (Stone and Timber) Settlement Act NEW
Dec. 22/14
c. 27 [SBC 2014], 2014 Bill 3, whole Act in force by Reg 247/2014
Depreciation of Dams, Power Plants and Substations Regulation (395/99) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 243/2014
Electrical Power Corporations Valuation Regulation (217/86) Dec. 10/14 by Reg 230/2014
Elevating Devices Safety Regulation (101/2004) Dec. 16/14 by Reg 239/2014
Eligible Port Property Designation Regulation (309/2010) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 258/2014
Home Owner Grant Act Jan. 1/15 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, section 31 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Interpretation Act RETRO
to
Apr. 21/97
by Reg 263/2014
Liquor Control and Licensing Act Dec. 22/14 by 2014 Bill 15, c. 13, section 21 only (in force by Reg 242/2014), Liquor Control and Licensing Amendment Act, 2014
Local Government Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Managed Forest Land and Cut Timber Values Regulation (90/2000) Dec. 10/14 by Reg 234/2014
Medical and Health Care Services Regulation (426/97) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 144/2014
Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act (No. 4) Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, section 43 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Port Land Valuation Regulation (304/2010) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 244/2014
Railway and Pipeline Corporations Valuation Regulation (203/86) Dec. 10/14 by Reg 232/2014
Railway, Pipeline, Electric Power and Telecommunications Corporation Rights of Way Valuation Regulation (281/86) Dec. 10/14 by Reg 233/2014
Remote Communities Regulation Dec. 22/14 by Reg 246/2014
Ski Hill Property Valuation Regulation (291/2007) Dec. 22/14 by Reg 245/2014
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act Jan. 1/15 by 2014 Bill 22, c. 21, section 12 only (in force by Reg 131/2014), South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, 2014
Telecommunications Corporations Valuation Regulation (226/86) Dec. 10/14 by Reg 231/2014
Tourist Accommodation (Assessment Relief) Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, section 59 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Vancouver Charter Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
MISCELLANEOUS

Miscellaneous News:

Interim Preservation Orders: The Civil Forfeiture Act and
Its "Overzealous" Use by the Director of Civil Forfeiture

"Regrettably, this appears to be a case where the office of the Director of Civil Forfeiture has taken zealous measures outside the proper bounds of its home statute with the unfortunate effect of depriving a citizen of lawful possession and use of her property, putting that citizen to what I suspect is considerable expense and inconvenience to retrieve her property." Those are the closing words to a recent judgment in which the court dismissed an application by the Director of Civil Forfeiture (the "DCF") to seize a pickup truck. These comments are a clear reflection of the court's displeasure at the DCF's tactics. In this particular case, the DCF seized a pickup owned by Roberta Allwright. Following that seizure, the DCF applied for an interim preservation order allowing the continued detention of the truck, depriving Ms. Allwright of its use, until the substantive issues in the claim were resolved. If the DCF succeeded, Ms. Allwright would have lost the use of her vehicle for a year or more until the trial. The DCF's likely motive was to put practical and economic pressure on Ms. Allwright in an effort to extract from her an advantageous "settlement" (i.e., money) to bring the matter to an end sooner and allow her to retrieve her vehicle. Read the article by Peter Roberts with Lawson Lundell LLP. 

PD-44 – Requirement for Apparance List
Chief Justice Hinkson has issued PD-44 – Requirement for Appearance List which sets out the requirement for parties appearing before the court on certain matters to provide the court clerk with an appearance list. PD-44 – Requirement for Appearance List takes effect on January 1, 2015 and replaces PD-2 – Appearance List on Applications. This information was taken directly from the Supreme Court website

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Museum Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Nisga'a Final Agreement Act Dec. 4/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, section 4 (part) only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, sections 1 to 4 (part), 5 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
Police Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, sections 1 to 4 (part), 5 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
MOTOR VEHICLE & TRAFFIC
Motor Vehicle and Traffic News:

Amendments to Motor Vehicle Act Regulations
Effective January 1, 2015, the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, B.C. Reg. 26/58, was amended by B.C. 227/2014. The amendments include:

1 Section 47.01 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, B.C. Reg. 26/58, is repealed and the following substituted:
  Definition
  47.01 (1) In this Division, "official vehicle" means a vehicle that
      (a) is authorized under section 4.28 to display flashes of red, blue, white or amber light, and
      (b) is displaying flashes of red, blue, white or amber light
        (i) in accordance with any limits or conditions set out in section 4.28 or specified by the director under section 4.28 (1) (b),
        (ii) while the vehicle is stopped on or on the side of a highway, and
        (iii)  while the vehicle's components are being operated, or a member of the vehicle's crew is working, on or on the side of the highway.


(2) Despite subsection (1), a school bus is not an official vehicle for the purposes of this Division.
2 Section 47.02 (1) is repealed and the following substituted:
    (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person driving a motor vehicle on a highway in either direction must drive the motor vehicle at no more than the following rate of speed when approaching or passing an official vehicle:
      (a) 70 km/h, if signs on the highway limit the rate of speed to 80 km/h or more;
      (b) 40 km/h, if signs on the highway limit the rate of speed to less than 80 km/h;
      (c) the rate of speed indicated on the signs, if signs on the highway limit the rate of speed to less than 40 km/h.

CVSE Bulletins
There were a number of bulletins, notices, circulars and forms published by CVSE in the month of December. These included:

  • CVSE0047 – National Safety Code Authorization
  • CVSE0048 – Declaration of Overall Responsibility
  • CVSE0049 – Voluntary Surrender Declaration
  • CVSE1014 – LCV Operating Conditions & Routes
  • Bulletin 03-14 – Maintenance of Records – Motor Vehicle Act Regulations 37.29 (1)

For more information please visit the CVSE website.

Road Rage Intimidation Incident Leads to
Liability for Subsequent Crash

Reasons for judgment were released [late December] demonstrating liability after a motorist intimidated a cyclist who subsequently crashed. In this case (Davies v. Elston) the Plaintiff was an experienced cyclist. As he passed a parked truck whose mirror extended into the bike lane the Plaintiff's son who was riding with him commented about the truck. The truck's owner heard this, jumped in his vehicle and drove after the cyclists to confront them. Words were exchanged during which time the truck came close enough that the Plaintiff placed his hand on the passenger side window of the vehicle. As the truck drove away the Plaintiff lost control of his bicycle and fractured his pelvis. The Defendant argued the Plaintiff was solely at fault for the incident. Madam Justice Griffin disagreed and found the defendant fully responsible. In reaching this conclusion the Court provided the following reasons: Read the full article by ErikMagraken and posted on his BC Injury Law blog. 

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Container Trucking Act NEW
Dec. 22/14
c. 28 [SBC 2014], 2014 Bill 5, whole Act in force by Reg 248/2014
Container Trucking Regulation (248/2014) NEW
Dec. 22/14
see Reg 248/2014
Emission Inspection Exemption Regulation (320/92) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 267/2014
Motor Fuel Tax Act Dec. 22/14 by Reg 262/2014
Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (26/58) Jan. 1/15 by Reg 227/2014
Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation (334/91) Dec. 1/14 by Reg 260/2013
Permitted Cost of Services (Off-Road Vehicle) Regulation (241/2014) NEW
Dec. 19/14
by Reg 241/2014
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act Jan. 1/15 by 2014 Bill 22, c. 21, section 12 only (in force by Reg 131/2014), South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, 2014
PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE

Property and Real Estate News:

Fundamental Breach and the Sale of Real
Property: Timing is Everything – REDMA
Many land developers arrange to sell lots in a proposed development before the subdivision is completed. The vendor benefits from the promise of confirmed future sales and non-refundable deposits. Purchasers benefit from lower prices for purchasing early. However, what happens if the land development is delayed. Can a purchaser get a non-refundable deposit back? The answer is: it depends. For the most part, it depends on the terms of the written agreement between the parties but it can also depend on the timing of a critical decision by the purchaser. That decision is whether or not to treat a vendor's delay in closing the transaction as a fundamental breach of the contract. Equally important is when to make and communicate that decision. A recent case in the Court of Appeal provides a good example. Read the full article by Peter Roberts with Lawson Lundell LLP. 

Lien Out: Arbitrary Protection for
Pre-Construction Consultants

Those who claim a builders lien must comply strictly with the requirements of the Builders Lien Act, and owners (or at least their counsel) are frequently on the lookout for liens that can be extinguished for a failure to satisfy such requirements. The recent BC Supreme Court decision in Stanley Paulus Architect Inc. v. Windmill Holdings Ltd., 2014 BCSC 1816 serves as a reminder of one fundamental requirement: in order to claim a lien there must be an "improvement" within the meaning of the Act. More particularly, there is no "improvement" where construction has not yet commenced even though considerable pre-construction work may have been undertaken. In Stanley Paulus, an architectural consulting firm sought a declaration of builders lien in respect of amounts unpaid under its contract with the owner. The consultant was retained to prepare plans for the project site, apply for a development permit, and provide construction administration for certain aspects of the project. Work commenced and continued over a series of months, with many changes to the project being made, but the necessary approvals were not obtained. The owner purported to terminate the consulting agreement on the ground that the consultant failed to perform in a timely manner, and the consultant filed a claim of lien against the project property. Read the full article by Aidan Cameron with McCarthy Tetrault LLP. 

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Canadian Pacific Railway (Stone and Timber) Settlement Act NEW
Dec. 22/14
c. 27 [SBC 2014], 2014 Bill 3, whole Act in force by Reg 247/2014
Expropriation Act Dec. 22/14 2014 Bill 3, c. 27, section 12 only (in force by Reg 247/2014), Canadian Pacific Railway (Stone and Timber) Settlement Act
Manufactured Home Tax Act Dec. 31/14 by 2014 Bill 7, c. 32, sections 39 to 41 only (in force by Reg 228/2014), Nisga'a Final Agreement Amendment Act, 2014
WILLS & ESTATES

Wills and Estates News:

The Incapable Spouse
From CLEBC
This paper from WESA for Family Lawyers (October 2014) examines the impact of capacity on issues arising at many points along the continuum of a family relationship: from marriage to separation to spousal support. The writers offer seven practical tips for lawyers acting for a person who lacks capacity, or for the representative of that person. Visit the CLEBC website for more information and to view the paper

Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Adult Guardianship Act Dec. 1/14 by 2007 Bill 29, c. 34, sections 1 (c), (k) (part), 4 (part) and 17 (part) (in force by Reg 25/2014, repealing Reg 131/2013, as amended by Reg 203/2014), Adult Guardianship and Planning Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, as amended by 2008 Bill 33, c. 30, section 2 only (in force by Royal Assent), Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, and 2014 Bill 14, c. 9, sections 1, 3 to 5, 7 and 9 only (in force by Reg 115/2014), Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
Power of Attorney Act Dec. 1/14 by 2014 Bill 14, c. 9, section 43 only (in force by Reg 115/2014), Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2014
Statutory Property Guardianship Regulation (115/2014) NEW
Dec. 1/14
see Reg 115/2014
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