Forest and Environment News:

Gypsy moth information phone line activated — The Province has activated the 1-866-917-5999 gypsy moth information line so the public has access to up-to-date treatment schedules and information about the gypsy moth program. The phone line will be staffed during business hours as well as provide updated recorded information 24 hours per day. The information on planned treatments will become progressively more specific as the spray dates near. Information is also available online, see Gypsy moth.

Labour and Company News:

New Employer Safety Regulations coming soon! — Effective July 26, 2007 all employers must ensure that a young or new worker is given health and safety orientation and training specific to his/her workplace before the young or new worker begins work. An employer must document all their orientation and training. The new sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, sections 3.22 to 3.25, will detail 13 topics that must be included in the orientation and training. For more information contact the Employers’ Advisers Office at 1 800 925-2233.

Consumer Taxation Branch — Bulletin SST 130, Franchises, has been updated to clarify when to pay and when not to pay PST.

Bulletin SST 054 Manufacturers, has been revised to clarify which dairies qualify as manufacturers.

New Consumer Taxation Branch webpages:

• Franchises
• Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund Levy.

Labour Bulletin – Click here for Staples McDannold Stewart's Labour Bulletin with the article "Update on Mandatory Retirement: Changes to the BC Human Rights Code .

Local Government News:

Portion of traffic fine revenues returned to municipalities — The Province is returning $58.8 million in traffic fine revenues to British Columbia municipalities as part of government's ongoing commitment to enhance policing and public safety, it was recently announced. See News Release.

Toll-Free flood information line now available — It was recently announced that the Province is partnering with the Canadian Red Cross to operate a toll-free flood information line to provide the public with up-to-date information on the flood situation throughout British Columbia. The information line was activated May 22 and will initially operate from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. daily. The hours of operation will be extended as needed. Multi-lingual service will be available. The flood information number is 1-888-350-6070. See News Release.

Consumer Taxation Branch, Municipalities and Regional Districts — Bulletin HRT 007, Municipal and Regional District Tax, has been updated to add the District of Tofino to the areas collecting additional tax on accommodation sales. See Bulletin.

Headline – Staples McDannold Stewart has posted the LGMA Special Convention issue of LoGo, see the LoGo Notebook. In addition they have posted a new Client Bulletin – "New Regulation Allows Some Regional District Service Bylaws To Be Adopted Without Inspector’s Approval". See Bulletin.

Motor Vehicle News:

Upcoming changes to legislation — Watch for extensive changes to motor vehicle–related Acts and regulations, especially the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act which will also have a title change to Insurance (Vehicle) Act.

Consumer Taxation Branch updates — Bulletin SST 073, Multi-jurisdictional Vehicles, has been revised to clarify that out-of-province carriers that qualify as MJVs, which are not licensed under a prorate agreement, are required to self-assess and pay the PST due.

Bulletin SST 042, Motor Vehicle Dealers, has been revised to include information about sales of used motor vehicles and private sales of motor vehicles.

Notice to Automotive Repair Industry. This notice explains how provincial sales tax (PST) applies when automotive repair facilities purchase or lease courtesy vehicles for the use of their customers.