Energy and Mines News:

Consumer Taxation Branch, Energy & Mines — The bulletin Fuel Used by the Oil and Gas Industry, has been revised to clarify information about refund provisions and natural gas tax rates. See Bulletin MFT 007.

Updated Consumer Taxation Branch webpages:

• Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund Levy
• Energy Conservation Exemptions

Forest and Environment News:

Wildlife Act revew – The Province is in the process of conducting the first major review of British Columbia's Wildlife Act in 25 years. The focus of this review is on the management and use of fish and wildlife populations. Separate but related work is underway regarding habitat protection and management, and species at risk. For more information see Wildlife Act Review.

Province to Reforest Beetle-Attacked Areas — Next summer, the Province will plant 3.2 million tree seedlings in the Williams Lake and Quesnel areas in response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, adding to the significant amount of reforestation being conducted by forest companies, it was recently announced. In 2008, an estimated 4,000 hectares will be planted by the Province in the Williams Lake and Quesnel timber supply areas. Preparation of planting sites, including danger tree falling, will occur this summer. As well, another 8,000 hectares of beetle-attacked stands will be surveyed during 2007 in preparation for planting in future years. See News Release.

Labour and Company News:

Consumer Taxation Branch, Labour & Business — The bulletin Registering to Collect Provincial Sales Tax (PST), has been renamed and rewritten using plain language and a new format so that the information is easier to read. See Bulletin SST 044.

The notice Discount Transactions clarifies how the PST, also called the social service tax, applies to discount transactions. See Notice.

The notice Catalysts and Direct Agents explains how the PST applies to biocides and other catalysts and direct agents. This is a result of the British Columbia Court of Appeal's decision with respect to Domtar v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of British Columbia, 2007 BCCA 49. See Notice.

The Notice to Lawyers explains the requirement that lawyers collect PST on legal services, as result of the Supreme Court of Canada decision in British Columbia Attorney General v. Christie, 2007 SCC 21. It also explains how to remit PST held in trust and how to claim commissions. See Notice.

Bulletin SST 133 Home-Based Businesses Bulletin HRT 006, Accommodation - Registered Operators of Hotels, Motels or Other Lodgings, and Bulletin HRT 008, Bed & Breakfast Operators, have been revised. Information on how to calculate PST due on electricity, natural gas or fuel oil used at a home-based business (or bed & breakfast) has been moved from HRT 008 to SST 133. Also, information in SST 133 on Optional Registration and Collection has been clarified, and a new section, Other Responsibilities, has been added to HRT 006 to clarify an operator's Certificate of Registration requirements.

Province Announces $1.7 Million To Promote Active Commuting Options — New pathways for cycling will be established across British Columbia, thanks to a provincial funding contribution of $1.7 million towards cycling infrastructure, it was recently announced. The Ministry of Transportation will distribute funds through the Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program, and announcements will be made in communities over the coming weeks. See News Release.

Consumer Taxation Branch, Municipalities and Regional Districts — The bulletin Municipal and Regional District Tax, has been updated to add the Village of Valemount, the Township of Langley, the Village of Radium Hot Springs and a portion of the East Kootenay Regional District to the areas collecting the additional tax on accommodation sales. See Bulletin HRT 007.

Motor Vehicle News:

Consumer Taxation Branch, Motor Vehicle — The Notice to Sellers of Electricity, Natural Gas, Fuel Oil and Propane: Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund Levy notice has been revised to clarify that the ICE Fund levy does not apply to fuel taxed or exempted from tax under the Motor Fuel Tax Act. See Notice.

The Notice to Fuel Sellers explains that all heating fuel will soon need to be coloured, and outlines upcoming changes to the generic fuel tax return. It also explains when a tax return and payment under the Motor Fuel Tax Act must be received by the ministry in order to be considered on time. See Notice.