Bill C-31: Expanded CRA Audit Powers on the Horizon
The federal government initially proposed significant changes to the Canada Revenue Agency's (the "CRA") audit powers under the Income Tax Act (the "Act") in Budget 2024 (see Proposed legislation expanding the CRA's audit powers: pitfalls and takeaways and 2024 Federal Budget – Major Income Tax Changes Announced). Those proposed amendments were not implemented, and a revised version of the provisions was published in August 2025 (the "2025 proposals"). Again, those amendments were not implemented.

In May 2026, the Minister of Finance and National Revenue published a Notice of Ways and Means Motion to introduce a bill to implement certain provisions of the November 2025 budget. This bill is now making its way through Parliament as Bill C-31, and it contains the latest draft of the new audit powers (the "2026 proposals"). Explanatory notes for the 2026 proposals were also released. Read the full article by Alexander Barnes with Thorsteinssons LLP.

GST/HST to Apply to Mutual Fund Trailing Commissions:
Enforcement Date Extended to January 1, 2028
Note: Originally published on January 21, 2026, this post has now been updated to reflect the new enforcement date and transition rules.

As discussed in the original version of this post, the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") revised its longstanding administrative position on the GST/HST-exempt treatment of mutual fund trailing commissions in December 2025. Under the new position, the CRA takes the view that trailing commissions paid by fund managers to investment dealers and sales agents (collectively, the "Dealers") should generally be treated as consideration for a taxable supply.

In an updated GST/HST Notice 344 published in May 2026, the CRA announced the postponement of the enforcement date of its new position from July 1, 2026 to January 1, 2028. This administrative relief is available where Dealers have not claimed input tax credits ("ITCs") in respect of GST/HST payable on related business inputs. Conversely, Dealers that have claimed such ITCs prior to January 1, 2028, must collect and remit GST/HST on the trailing commissions from the time the taxable supplies are made. Read the full article by Jean-Guillaume Shooner and Bassel Mallouh with Stikeman Elliott LLP.

Canada's Bill C-8: What Businesses Need to Know
About the New Cybersecurity Framework
Bill C-8, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts, establishes the most significant federal cybersecurity framework Canada has enacted. The Bill creates a dual regime: it expands the federal government's power to secure Canada's telecommunications system, and it imposes mandatory, enforceable cybersecurity obligations on operators of critical cyber systems across federally regulated sectors.

Bill C-8 is the successor to Bill C-26, which was introduced in the previous Parliament but did not become law before Parliament was prorogued. It was reintroduced last year in substantially similar form as Bill C-8 in the 45th Parliament. The Bill reached a significant milestone on June 16, 2026, when received royal assent. Having now completed its passage through Parliament, the majority of its substantive obligations set out in Part 2 of the Bill will come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, with many operational details to follow by regulation, while the amendments to the Telecommunications Act in Part 1 (as described in more detail below) are now in force. Read the full article by Éloïse Gratton, Adam La Roche, Tina Saban and Naomi Chernos with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.

Post, Promote, Disclose: The BC Securities Commission
Joins Global Crackdown on Finfluencers
Recent announcements and regulatory enforcement actions from the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) signal an ongoing focus on the regulation of online financial influencers (known colloquially as "finfluencers").

Finfluencers are online personalities who use social media platforms to share investment advice, promote securities, and offer financial commentary to their followers. They publish content on various online platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and newsletter platforms like Substack, often presenting themselves as credible voices in personal finance and capital markets. However, many lack formal financial credentials, and some are compensated by the very companies whose securities they promote, although this information is seldom shared with their audiences. As noted by Cassels partner Chris Horkins during his discussion with MoneySense, while trustworthy finfluencer content exists, it is difficult for the average viewer to discern who is credible and who is simply getting paid to promote a product. Read the full article by Christopher Horkins, Kiyan Jamal and Olivia Bogner with Cassels.

Bill C-29 and Canada's Proposed Financial Crimes
Agency: What You Need to Know
Bill C-29 would establish Canada's first dedicated Financial Crimes Agency. Introduced on April 27, 2026, Bill C-29: An Act to establish the Financial Crimes Agency and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts and regulations ("Bill C-29"), sets out the proposed structure, mandate, and powers of the new agency.

The Financial Crimes Agency is intended to play a major role in addressing concerns that Canada is lagging in financial crime enforcement. Bill C-29 sets out a robust scope and design for the new Agency.

Its success will depend on the federal government's long-term commitment to developing the expertise needed to overcome challenges associated with investigating and prosecuting financial crime effectively and fairly. The Department of Justice's recent announcement of $352.7 million over five years signals that the current government is serious about improving financial crime enforcement. Read the full article by Andrew Matheson, Natalie V. Kolos, Geneviève St-Cyr Larkin, Rosemarie Sarrazin and Ana Badour with McCarthy Tétrault.

CSA Finalizes Amendments to Implement Access Model for Continuous
Disclosure Documents of Non-Investment Fund Reporting Issuers
On June 25, 2026, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published in final form amendments to National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102) and National Instrument 54-101 Communication With Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer and changes to related companion policies (collectively, the Final Amendments). The Final Amendments will implement an access model (Access Model) for annual financial statements, interim financial reports and related management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) of non-investment fund reporting issuers (collectively, CD documents).

The Access Model provides alternative voluntary procedures whereby issuers may provide electronic access to CD documents instead of following the delivery requirements currently found in securities legislation. Provided all necessary ministerial approvals are obtained, the Final Amendments will come into force on September 22, 2026. Read the full article by Olga Kary, Jeremy Ozier, Matthew Merkley, Louis Morisset and Annie Tran with Blakes.

BC Securities – Policies & Instruments
The following policies and instruments were recently published on the BCSC website:

• BC Notice 2026/04 – Notice of Revised British Columbia Securities Commission Policy 15-601 Hearings [BCN]
• 81-105 – Amendments to National Instrument 81-105 Mutual Fund Sales Practices and other instruments and policies relating to principal distributors [CSA Advance Notice]
• 31-103 – Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations [NI]
• BC Notice 2026/05 – Corporate Finance Advisory Forum
• BC Notice 2026/06 – Consultation on Proposed Fee Changes
• BC Notice 2026/07 – Fee Changes relating to Mutual Fund and Exchange Traded Fund Prospectus Lapse Date Amendments, Well-Known Seasoned Issuer Amendments, and other Housekeeping Changes
• 21-335 – Information Processor for Exchange-Traded Securities other than Options [CSA Notice]
• 31-935 – Exemption from the client reporting requirements for certain institutional clients and overflow accounts of registered advisers
• 51-102 – Amendments and Changes to Implement an Access Model for Certain Continuous Disclosure Documents of Non-Investment Fund Reporting Issuers [CSA Advance Notice]

For more information, visit the BC Securities website.

Canada's Proposed Alberta-to-BC Pipeline: Key Legal and
Practical Considerations for Indigenous Communities
On July 2, 2026, the federal government, British Columbia and Alberta made a series of coordinated announcements intended to advance a new oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia's south coast. Together, the announcements, including the Canada – British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement and Alberta's submission of the proposed West Coast Oil Pipeline Project to the federal Major Projects Office, represent one of the most significant developments in Canadian energy infrastructure policy since the completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. The announcements consist of two key components:

1. Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement: Canada and British Columbia entered into the Canada-British Columbia Prosperity Agreement, under which British Columbia agreed to participate in the routing and permitting of a new interprovincial pipeline, while Canada committed to maintaining the North Coast tanker ban, supporting Indigenous equity participation, establishing an environmental liability framework and undertaking consultation with First Nations. Second, Alberta formally submitted its proposed West Coast.

Read the full article by Tim Dickson and Christina Joynt with JFK Law LLP.

BC Gold Mining Company Sues Province for Stripping
Mining Rights as Part of Deal with First Nation
MCC Canadian Gold Ventures Inc. ("MCGV") has launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the British Columbia Government after the Province, having previously lobbied the company to rescue a bankrupt, environmentally compromised gold mine on Banks Island, without warning or compensation, stripped MCGV of its mining rights through Orders in Council to settle a separate legal dispute with the Gitxaala Nation.

"We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the provincial government" said Director, Danish Mir. "If this what the government considers Indigenous reconciliation then every investor in B.C. faces grave risk."

The claim arises from several 2024 Orders in Council the BC government issued under section 7 of the Environment and Land Use Act to sterilize the Company's mineral claims and prohibit any further exploration on Banks Island in northwest British Columbia. To date, no compensation has been paid to the Company for the actions taken by the B.C. Government. Read the Globe and Mail article.

Canada Releases Nuclear Energy Strategy
On June 22, 2026, the Government of Canada (Government) released the Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada (the Strategy). The Strategy outlines how the Government will support energy affordability, security, and sustainability by building on Canada's decades of nuclear expertise and local resources. It sets out a coordinated, strategic approach to nuclear energy development to deliver economic, environmental and energy security benefits to Canadians through four key pillars, the highlights of each of which are set out below.

The Strategy is positioned as a key complement to the Government's Powering Canada Strong strategy, which aims to double Canada's electricity grid capacity by 2050. For more information on the Powering Canada Strong strategy, see our recent Blakes Bulletin: Canada Issues National Strategy for Electrifying the Canadian Economy: "Powering Canada Strong". Read the full article by Reena Goyal and Nicole Achtymichuk with Blakes.

What You Need to Know About B.C.'s Site E and Why It's
Getting a Second Look for Solar and Wind Power
B.C. Hydro's engineering studies as far back as the 1970s bypassed Site E as a location for hydroelectric development on the Peace River in favour of Site C, now the John Horgan Dam, as the most economical option for what was to be B.C. Hydro's last major dam.

The government of premier Gordon Campbell then closed the door on future hydroelectric development on the Peace River in the province's Clean Energy Act and specifically listed the location known as Site E on a list of dams B.C. Hydro would be banned from pursuing.

But Energy Minister Adrian Dix put the possibility of Site E back on the table this week as an option to provide "firm power that backs up intermittent resources such as wind and solar." Read the Vancouver Sun article.

Controversial B.C. Magnesium Mine Can Bypass
Environmental Review, Rules Judge
A judge has ruled a controversial mine outside Rossland, B.C., does not require an environmental assessment – a decision opponents say could have serious implications across the province.

Located about seven kilometres outside of town, the Record Ridge deposit is estimated to contain over 10.8 million tonnes of recoverable magnesium, making it one of the largest undeveloped high-grade magnesium deposits in the world.

The proponent, West High Yield Resources Ltd. (CSE:WHY), holds mineral claims over 8,972 hectares at the site. Read the BIV article.

Situation Critical: Recent Developments in
Canadian Critical Minerals Policy
Amid increasing geopolitical tensions and the need for reliable access to critical minerals used in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and defence applications, Canadian critical minerals projects have risen to international importance. At the close of the G7 energy and environment ministers' meeting in October 2025, Canada's Natural Resources Minister, Tim Hodgson, announced the first round of strategic projects and measures under the Critical Minerals Production Alliance (including 26 new investments) to accelerate the development of secure critical minerals supply chains. Thirty further investments through the Critical Minerals Production Alliance were announced in March 2026. Canada is seeking greater investment in Canadian critical minerals projects through these international initiatives, alongside domestic initiatives to support critical mineral production.

This article provides an overview of federal critical minerals policy and recent developments across B.C., Ontario, and Québec. Read the full article by Selina Lee-Andersen, Dominique Amyot-Bilodeau, Rachael Carlson and Lauren Praill with McCarthy Tétrault.

B.C. Court Rules Province Failed to Consult
First Nation on Massive Gold Mine
A court has ruled British Columbia's government failed to consult a First Nation before granting a major regulatory designation that allowed one of the world's largest undeveloped gold mines to keep its environmental approvals alive indefinitely.

The province declared Seabridge Gold's (TSX:SEA) KSM mine "substantially started" in 2024, a status that prevents its environmental assessment certificate from expiring and saves the project from having to restart a lengthy regulatory review.

In a decision handed down Monday [June 8], B.C. Supreme Court Justice Emily Burke found that when the government made the designation, it failed to satisfy its duty to consult with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation (TSKLH). Read the BIV article.

Attempt to Reduce Charges in Mount Polley
Gold-and-Copper Mine Dam Collapse Fails
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has dismissed an attempt by the owners of the Mount Polley mine and its engineering consultants to cut the number of federal charges it faces over the catastrophic collapse of a dam in 2014.

The collapse of the earth-and-rock dam at the gold-and-copper mine in B.C.'s Interior released 25 million cubic metres of water and tailings containing potentially toxic metals. It was enough water and material to fill nearly 9,800 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Read the Vancouver Sun article.

Updates to Natural Resource Taxes
The following updates to natural resource taxes were recently posted:

Mining taxes

• July 2, 2026
  Interest rates for mineral tax, mineral land tax and the mine inspection fee have been updated.

Oil and natural gas royalties and taxes

• June 30, 2026
  The Report information on oil and natural gas production web page has been updated to include information about multilateral and multi-zone wells.
  The Lower your oil and natural gas royalty rates web page been updated to include eligibility information and example calculations for the marginal well royalty reduction. Note: This program is only available to wells with a spud date before September 1, 2022.

Royalty transition 2022 to 2026

• June 30, 2026
  A new page for announcing changes in the new royalty framework, Updates on the new B.C. oil and gas royalty framework, has been published.
  The invoice specification file for the new royalty framework is available on the page.

For more information, visit the BC government website.

BC Energy Regulator Announcements
The following BC Energy Regulator announcements were posted recently:

• IU 2026-04 – Transfer of Oilfield Waste Management Facility Authorization Oversight
• TU 2026-14 – Site Remediation and Restoration Manual Update
• Statement on BCER's Oversight of LNG Canada and Emissions

Visit the BCER website for more information.

Jurisdiction and Property in Cross-Border Family Disputes:
Lessons from Florescu v. Lodato, 2025 BCSC 1950
In cross-border family law disputes, one of the most decisive and often underestimated issues is jurisdiction. The jurisdiction in which property claims are heard can significantly affect both process and outcome. The decision in Florescu v. Lodato, 2025 BCSC 1950 ("Florescu") illustrates not only how jurisdiction is established, but more importantly, when and why the courts in British Columbia may decline to exercise it.

This case highlights the strategic importance of raising jurisdictional arguments early and effectively, particularly where parallel proceedings are in play. Read the full article by Danica Beck with Watson Goepel LLP.

Marriage Agreements That Predate the Family Law Act: How BC's
Older Property Regime Still Shapes Modern Divorces
When the Family Law Act came into force in March 2013, it fundamentally reshaped the legal landscape for separating spouses in British Columbia. The Family Law Act replaced the Family Relations Act, introducing a new presumptive framework for the division of family property, a different approach to excluded property, and revised guidance on the relevance of domestic agreements such as prenuptial and marriage agreements. Yet, the Family Relations Act has not entirely disappeared from the courtroom; for the many couples who entered into marriage or cohabitation agreements at a time when the Family Relations Act was the governing statute, and those agreements continue to be analyzed under that older regime today.

A recent decision from the Supreme Court of British Columbia, A.B. v. C.D. [2026 BCSC 638], provides a thorough illustration of how courts today approach pre-2013 marriage agreements. The case, decided after a 27-day trial in 2025 and released as reasons for judgment in April 2026, confirms the test for enforceability of an older marriage agreement, the factors relevant to fairness, and the interaction between property division, spousal support, and child support where one spouse holds significant business assets brought into the relationship. Read the full article by Paul Harden and Mia Bottos with Meridian Law Group.

Putting B.C.'s Children, Youth First Through New Action Plan
The Province has released a new Child and Youth Well-Being Action Plan and Outcomes Framework that will bring ministries together around a co-ordinated, cross-government approach to better support children, youth and families throughout B.C.

The action plan aims to transform the system, connecting actions across ministries and agencies to better integrate services and prioritize children and families that need support most. The accompanying Outcomes Framework will give a whole-system view that was missing and will help track whether results are being achieved across government. This work also contributes to broader efforts to better connect services and organize them around people's needs. Read the government news release.

Who Gets the Crypto and the Air Miles? Dividing
Digital Assets Under B.C. Family Law
The landscape of family property has expanded far beyond traditional brick-and-mortar assets. Wealth is increasingly stored in decentralized networks, digital ledgers, and proprietary corporate databases. When relationships break down in British Columbia, identifying and dividing these non-traditional holdings presents unique challenges for separating parties.

Under the British Columbia Family Law Act, family property is generally defined as all property owned by at least one spouse on the date of separation. This definition encompasses both tangible property and intangible rights, interests, or claims. As technological innovations reshape personal finance, the province continues to see an influx of cases involving complex digital portfolios.

Navigating the intersection of family law and digital asset management requires a precise understanding of how provincial legislation characterizes ownership. Whether dealing with volatile cryptocurrencies or accumulated commercial loyalty points, the fundamental principles of equal division remain the benchmark. However, applying these rules to decentralized networks demands a structured approach. Read the full article from the Meridian Law Group.

B.C.'s New Compliance and Enforcement Agency
Reshapes Natural Resource Oversight
Key takeaways

• The B.C. Compliance and Enforcement Agency (B.C.-CEA) consolidates enforcement functions in the natural-resource sector effective July 1, 2026.
• Operators will benefit from a single point of contact, centralized data management and improved consistency in enforcement practices.
• Operators should review their compliance protocols as the B.C.-CEA could reshape natural-resource oversight in British Columbia.

On July 1, 2026, the B.C. Compliance and Enforcement Agency (B.C.-CEA) took effect. Operating under the Ministry of Environment and Parks, the B.C.-CEA consolidates multiple enforcement and compliance functions across the natural-resource sector into a single agency, including

• B.C. Conservation Officer Service (Ministry of Environment and Parks)
• Natural Resource Officer Service (Ministry of Forests)
• Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Branch (Ministry of Environment and Parks)
• Compliance and Enforcement (Environmental Assessment Office)
• Service Transformation Branch (Ministry of Environment and Parks)
• Regulatory Effectiveness and Sector Integration Branch (Ministry of Environment and Parks)

Read the full article by Brad Gilmour, Jennifer Fairfax, Lindsay Burgess and Emma Zhang with Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.

Director and Officer Liability for Environmental Offences
The British Columbia Court of Appeal's decision confirms that directors and officers can face personal criminal liability for environmental offences committed by their corporations – even without knowledge of the underlying conduct. For participants in highly regulated industries such as mining, the ruling reinforces that control, not awareness, is the key driver of exposure, making active oversight and due diligence essential.

The British Columbia Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in R. v. Mossman, 2026 BCCA 75, confirming that a director, officer, or agent can be criminally responsible for their corporation's actions under secondary liability provisions in environmental legislation – even if they lack knowledge of the circumstances surrounding a corporation's regulatory offence. Control is what matters.

The Court of Appeal confirmed that individuals who choose to participate in regulated industries (like mining) accept heightened legal risk. Read the full article by Patrick Williams, Lindsay Frame and Emma Walsh with McCarthy Tétrault.

When the Ground Shifts Underneath an Environmental Assessment Certificate:
How Evolving Indigenous Claims Can Unsettle Major Projects
On June 8, 2026, the BC Supreme Court released its decision in Tsetsaut Skii Km Lax Ha Nation v British Columbia (Environment and Parks), 2026 BCSC 1042. The case concerned whether the Crown had breached its duty to consult the Tsetsaut Skii Km Lax Ha Nation regarding the Province's 2024 decision that the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell project (the "Project"), a proposed open pit and underground gold, copper, silver and molybdenum mine, had been "substantially started." The effect of that decision was to allow the Project's environmental assessment certificate to remain in effect for the mine's life. The Court quashed the decision and remitted it for redetermination following renewed consultation with the Tsetsaut Skii Km Lax Ha.

The decision carries important lessons for project proponents, Indigenous communities, and government actors involved in BC environmental assessments. Read the full article by Paul Seaman and Lydia Sefton-Young with Gowling WLG.

Summer 2026 Seasonal Outlook
After a variable spring that saw a range of conditions across B.C., the warmest months of the year are now approaching. As we enter this period of elevated wildfire risk, we are closely monitoring conditions to ensure we're ready to respond.

To forecast the core wildfire season, we consider three key factors: drought levels, overwinter snowpack and periods of prolonged heat without rain in June. Watch the video to hear more on what we predict for summer 2026 from the Superintendent of the Predictive Services Unit, Neal McLoughlin. Read the article from the BC Wildfire Service.

Environmental Appeal Board Decisions
The following Environmental Appeal Board decisions were made recently:

Environmental Management Act

• Domtar Inc. v. Director, Environmental Management Act [Consent Order – Investigation Order Extended; Held In Abeyance]

Water Sustainability Act

• Twyla Hayes v. Assistant Water Manager [Dismissal Order – Appeal Dismissed]

Wildlife Act

• Seymour Arm Snowmobile Club v. Deputy Regional Manager [Dismissal Order – Appeal Dismissed]

Visit the Environmental Appeal Board website for more information.

Forest Appeals Commission Decisions
The following Forest Appeals Commission decision was made recently:

Wildfire Act

• Canadian National Railway Company v. Government of British Columbia [Decision on Preliminary Application for Appeal on the Record – Application Dismissed]

Visit the Forest Appeals Commission website for more information.

Canadian Medical Association Lauds Bill Amending
Criminal Code to Add Sterilization
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has welcomed the passage in Parliament of Bill S-228, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures), which clarifies that such procedures wound or maim a person under s. 268(1) of the Code.

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, CMA president, emphasized the association's support for the bill and the association's commitment to meaningful action toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Read the full article by Bernise Carolino in the Canadian Lawyer.

Approving Access to Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids
Adults 18 and older in B.C. with mild to moderate hearing loss have access to over-the-counter non-prescribed hearing aids through retail stores and online sellers across the province.

"Too often, people put off getting help for hearing loss because it can be difficult or expensive to access support," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. "Making over-the-counter hearing aids available will help more people recognize hearing changes earlier and get the support they need to stay active, engaged and connected to the people around them."

British Columbia is the first province or territory in Canada to expand access to over-the-counter hearing aids. Read the government news release.

Hospital Projects, Health Spending Lift
Demand for B.C. Medical Office Space
Medical office is a distinct asset class in B.C. commercial real estate that is riding the wave of higher health-care spending, aging baby boomers and major hospital projects, though concerns remain around new project viability.

Total health-care spending in Canada was expected to reach $399 billion in 2025, or $9,626 per Canadian, rising to 12.7 per cent of GDP, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

In B.C., health spending has risen to 9.4 per cent of GDP from 6.8 per cent 20 years ago, driven by inflation, population growth, population aging and service utilization, CIHI said. Read the BIV article.

Skinny Drug Labels and Induced Infringement: Court Decision
Creates Divergence Between U.S. and Canadian Law
The constant tension between patent protection for pharmaceutical innovations and affordable access to medicines is a challenge faced globally by policymakers, including in Canada and the United States (U.S.). The U.S. Supreme Court has just clarified that patents on medical uses of pharmaceuticals should not disturb bona fide unpatented activities in the U.S.

Generic product availability is a well-established and proven strategy for reducing overall prescription drug costs. However, in some circumstances, some brand manufacturers seek to delay or prevent the entry of generics and biosimilars to the market by securing multiple patents beyond the patent to the original drug compound or use, which extend protection to components beyond the original patent and beyond the drug's active ingredient. These follow-on patents often extend to new or more specific uses, such as treatment for different diseases, dosing regimens or for new patient demographics, beyond those covered by the original patents. These use patents can effectively postpone access to more affordable generic and biosimilar alternatives for significant periods of time, therefore sustaining higher drug prices for a corresponding period. Read the full article by J. Bradley White, Nathaniel Lipkus and Leah McGurn with Osler.

Number of Patients Waiting to See a Specialist in
B.C. Climbs 10% in One Year: Survey
The number of patients waiting to see a specialist in B.C. jumped by 10 per cent from 2024 to 2025, according to a survey released Tuesday [June 16] by Doctors of B.C., Consultant Specialists of B.C. and B.C. Family Doctors.

The survey confirmed what health officials told Postmedia earlier this year, that specialist wait times continue to soar with no sign of easing up.

More than 1.3 million British Columbians are waiting to see a specialist, according to the report. In some areas, including cardiology, neurology and orthopedics, the wait time is now over a year. Read the Vancouver Sun article.

Equal Treatment Wage Rules for
Federally Regulated Employers
At a glance

• Effective 20 October 2026, new "Equal Treatment" wage rules under the Canada Labour Code (the Code) will require equal pay for employees regardless of employment status (full-time, part-time, permanent, or temporary).
• Employers must avoid differences in wage rates based on an employee's employment status where the employees perform substantially the same work, apply substantially the same skill, effort, and responsibility, work under similar conditions, and work in the same industrial establishment.
• Employees may request a wage review, and employers must respond in writing within 90 days.
• Exceptions apply for systems based on seniority, merit, quantity or quality of production, geographic differences, and red-circling.
• Temporary help agencies are also covered by similar equal treatment requirements

Background
On 6 May 2026, the federal government published regulations (SOR/2026-75) in the Canada Gazette, Part II, bringing into force the "Equal Treatment" provisions of the Code. These provisions were first enacted in 2018 through Bill C-86, the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, but required supporting regulations before they could take effect. Read the full article by Duncan Burns-Shillington and Garrett Ladd with DLA Piper.

A Termination Clause in a Dependant Contractor Agreement
That Provides for Zero Notice is Unenforceable
In Salina v Investors Group Financial Services Inc., 2026 BCSC 1168

Justice Morishita had a situation where a dependant contractor had the following termination clause:

10. TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either party, with or without cause and with or without notice or any compensation in lieu of notice and, without limitation, may be terminated by [Investors Group] upon the breach by the Consultant of any of the terms, conditions or provision of this Agreement. On any termination or pending termination of a Consultant, [Investors Group] shall provide its clients with the appropriate notice.

In other words, this seemed to allow the defendant Investors Group to terminate with zero notice. Read the full post from Barry Fisher's Employment Law Blog.

Age-Based Limits Upheld in Bona Fide Benefit Plans
In Okanagan College, 2026 BCLRB 39, the B.C. Labour Relations Board considered whether a long-term disability plan that ended coverage at age 65 was protected by the bona fide group or employee insurance plan exception under section 13(3)(b) of the B.C. Human Rights Code.

The decision is important for employers, plan sponsors, unions and benefits advisors. It confirms that an age-based limit in a genuine benefit plan will not necessarily lose statutory protection simply because other, potentially less discriminatory, plan designs may be available.

The case arose from a challenge to a long-term disability plan that terminated coverage and benefits at age 65. The union argued that, after mandatory retirement was eliminated in British Columbia, employees who continued working beyond age 65 should not lose LTD protection solely because of their age.

The arbitrator accepted the union's position in part. He found that the denial of post-65 LTD coverage was prima facie discriminatory. He also found that the LTD plan was not protected by the bona fide plan exception in section 13(3)(b) of the Human Rights Code. As a remedy, the arbitrator directed the employer to take reasonable steps to amend the LTD plan so that employees age 65 and older would have access to meaningful LTD coverage. Read the full article by Emily Kim and Jon Wypych with Fasken.

B.C. Farm Fined $387,500, Banned
from Hiring Foreign Workers
A Pemberton organic farm has been fined $387,500 and barred from hiring temporary foreign workers for two years.

Blue House Organics has been listed as "non-compliant" in a decision posted to the federal government's public registry of employers found in breach of Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program rules, Business in Vancouver reported.

The fine comes with a ban that leaves the company ineligible to hire temporary workers until May 29, 2028. Read the full article by Jim Wilson in the Canadian HRReporter.

Preventing Burns: Employment Considerations
for the Summer Months
With summer fast approaching, many British Columbia employers are ramping up hiring to meet seasonal demand. At the same time, employers should be mindful of certain onboarding and other employment-related considerations that may arise.

Employers may be considering fixed-term or temporary contracts for their summer hires. While these arrangements are common, employers should be aware of the common pitfalls of fixed-term employment contracts. Read the full article by Jacqueline Ovsenek with Lawson Lundell.

Five Questions Every Organization Should Ask
Before Conducting a Workplace Investigation
Every organization encounters workplace issues. To manage the resulting risk and resolve concerns effectively, organizations need to know when a workplace investigation is necessary and how it should be executed in a way that is measured, defensible, and proportionate. In a recent fireside discussion, Kate McNeill-Keller, Trevor Lawson, Shane D'Souza, Patrick Pengelly, and Kevin Lo, explored how organizations can approach workplace investigations strategically, efficiently, and defensibly by asking five key questions:

Is an Investigation Required?
Not every issue calls for the same response. Routine workplace complaints may be better addressed through coaching, mentoring, or other management tools. More serious allegations, or issues that trigger legal obligations, may require a formal investigation. The key is to decide whether a formal process is needed or whether the matter can be handled appropriately through informal channels. A useful starting point is to ask four practical questions:

• What is the problem?

If the issue raises legal or reputational risk, a formal investigation may be warranted.

Read the full McCarthy Tétrault article.

Province Takes Direct Steps to Address
Missed Housing Targets
By a relatively uncommon flexing of its constitutional land use muscles, using an order made pursuant to section 12 of the Housing Supply Act (the "April 7 Order"), BC's Lieutenant Governor in Council has amended West Vancouver's official community plan. The Province set the stage for the April 7 Order first by enacting the Housing Supply Act and then by setting housing targets, which the District had failed to meet, and by issuing a provincial directive, which apparently the District had not followed. West Vancouver was not alone in receiving targets and directives but as far as we know this is the first time the Province has amended a local government bylaw under the Housing Supply Act. It shows the Province may at least be inclined to take similar steps if other municipalities fail to meet their housing supply targets. The Housing Supply Act permits the Province, by regulation, to select "specific municipalities" and set housing targets for them. In 2023 the Housing Supply Regulation was approved and, as of the writing of this article, 59 municipalities have been designated specific municipalities. Read the full article by Timothy Luk, published in the Young Anderson Barristers & Solicitors Newsletter Volume 37, Number 2 – LGMA Conference Issue.

Victoria Bylaws Restricting Overnight
Camping in City Parks Upheld
The B.C. Supreme Court has found that the City of Victoria did not go beyond its authority by passing bylaws restricting overnight camping in some city parks. Three homeless petitioners sought to quash two bylaws passed by the city in 2024 and 2025 that prohibited "temporary overnight sheltering" in Irving and Victoria West parks. Petitioners Krystle Fox, Kimberly Scheu and Shea Smith claimed the city exceeded its authority by enacting bylaws that didn't properly consider whether washrooms were available where camping was allowed, or account for international legal obligations affirming the peoples' rights to housing and water. The ruling said Scheu is now housed and Smith is now deceased, and the action continued with just Fox as the petitioner with "private interest standing." The ruling said that "courts have recognized that when there are inadequate accessible indoor shelter spaces to accommodate persons genuinely experiencing homelessness, those persons are entitled to erect temporary overnight shelters in public parks." "The difficult circumstances faced by the petitioners and other unhoused persons in finding and maintaining adequate shelter are not disputed," the judge wrote. Read the CBC article.

Not So Exclusive After All? Province Required to Consider
Land Use Requirements When Approving Mine Permits
Despite the provincial government's jurisdiction over mining which, in general, operates to oust municipal land use jurisdiction over mine sites (see O.K. Industries Ltd. v. District of Highlands, 2022 BCCA 12) a recent case illustrates that local government land use policies are still an important consideration for the Inspector of Mines when considering approval of a permit for a new mine. In Garnet Valley Agri-Tourism v. British Columbia (Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals), 2026 BCSC 302 [Garnet Valley], the B.C. Supreme Court found that a decision to approve a permit for a gravel pit under the Mines Act was unreasonable, in part because of the decision-maker's failure to consider local land use requirements. Garnet Valley involved a judicial review of a decision to grant a permit under the Mines Act to operate a gravel pit. Under the Mines Act, a permit from the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals is required to operate a mine. The Mines Act permit process includes the Ministry's review of the application, referral to other provincial ministries for input, an opportunity for the public to provide submissions, and consultation with First Nations. Read the full article by Sophie Marsh, published in the Young Anderson Barristers & Solicitors Newsletter Volume 37, Number 2 – LGMA Conference Issue.

BC Cities Want Province to Speed Up
E-scooter Regulations
Government is in year 5 of a 7-year pilot to determine long-term rules

As injuries from e-scooters in British Columbia continue to rise, the provincial government continues to take an approach to regulations that many municipalities argue is too slow. "It's nonsense," said New Westminster Coun. Tasha Henderson, of the province's seven-year pilot program to study e-scooter uses in certain municipalities. "Seven years is ridiculous. We need blanket legislation so we have direction on how we're going to enforce the laws, and what direction we're going to take around engineering to make roads safer," she said. Since then, the number of municipalities participating in the pilot has expanded to 36, and in 2023 the province announced it would extend the pilot until 2028. But several municipalities say the patchwork of rules and extended period of uncertainty is less than ideal. Henderson put forward a resolution at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association conference, which ultimately passed, calling on the province to conclude the pilot and establish province-wide regulations. Read the CBC article.

Canada, BC Share Ideas for Affordable
Housing and Infrastructure Funding
An announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby provided general information on concepts to increase the supply of affordable homes and deliver housing-enabling infrastructure funding, but few details were shared. Speaking in Vancouver, the Prime Minister stated the intention of the government to "leverage innovative financing tools from Build Canada Homes to convert thousands of vacant condos into affordable homes." The announcement also provided high level concepts of a 'housing enabling' funding stream from the Build Canada Strong Fund (BCSF). Speaking with the Vancouver Sun, UBCM president Cori Ramsay said while it is possible that the purchase of condo units could add to the supply of affordable housing, more details would need to be provided to evaluate the initiative. Ramsay also asked why the funds were not used to restore the funding clawed back from the Province's Community Housing Fund in the last budget. Read the UBCM article.

New Map of BC's Publicly Owned Land Is
Designed to Boost Housing Development
Researchers at UBC have developed a map that shows where publicly owned land is located in BC and how suitable each plot is for affordable housing. The BC public lands map has over 50,000 publicly owned parcels, which Craig Jones, associate director of the housing assessment resource tools project at UBC, believes has the potential to accommodate 273,000 units of housing in Metro Vancouver alone. The website for the map became public on Tuesday [June 30]. Jones says that the idea for a public land map has been percolating in his head for five years as the NDP government attempts to upzone neighbourhoods and make rental prices come down. Read the full article published by the Vancouver Sun.

Province Issues Letters Patent for Okanagan Falls
The Province has issued letters patent to formally incorporate Okanagan Falls as a new municipality, to be known as the District of Okanagan Falls. Incorporation is expected to take effect on November 6, 2026, following the community's majority vote in favour of incorporation in March 2025. This marks the first municipal incorporation in BC in 13 years, and is the first letters patent to be issued since the enactment of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Read the UBCM article.

Shimco, Shim-go: Farewell to an Oddity
A curious chapter in British Columbia's construction law history is coming to a close. With the enactment of the Construction Prompt Payment Act, the days of the much-maligned "Shimco lien" are numbered. Most readers will be familiar with a builders lien – if a person performs work or supplies material in relation to an improvement, that person has a lien over the land and improvement and the material supplied for the amount they have not been paid. Read the full article by Aidan Andrews with Civic Legal LLP.

Federal Bills C9, C-14, C-16 and C-225 Early Consolidation
[Criminal Code] Now Available
Quickscribe has created an early consolidation of the Criminal Code to include the amendments from federal Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, and Bill C-225, An Act to amend the Criminal Code.

Bill C-9 introduces stronger protections against hate-motivated crimes, intimidation, and the public display of hate or terrorist symbols. These amendments come into effect on July 18, 2026.

Bill C-14 makes targeted changes to Canada's bail and sentencing regime, with a focus on stricter bail rules for violent and repeat offending, organized crime, auto theft, extortion, break and enter, human trafficking and certain offences involving choking, suffocation or strangulation. It also expands reverse-onus bail provisions, adds or expands sentencing aggravating factors, requires or encourages consecutive sentences in certain cases, prioritizes denunciation and deterrence for specified offences, and makes conditional sentence orders unavailable for serious sexual offences, including offences involving children. The changes will come into force on July 15, 2026.

Bill C-16 implements major reforms regarding gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, and child protection. Some of the changes include criminalizing coercive control in intimate partner relationships, reclassifying femicide to first degree murder when committed in the context of intimate partner violence, criminalizing the distribution and threat of distribution of non-consensual intimate images, restoring mandatory minimum sentences for serious child sexual offences and streamlining trial processes to prevent cases from automatic dismissal due to delays. The amendments will come into force on July 18, 2026.

Bill C-225 introduces several major reforms to strengthen legal protections against intimate partner violence. Murder of an intimate partner is reclassified as first-degree murder when it occurs in the context of a pattern of "coercive or controlling conduct". Peace officers will be restricted from releasing arrested individuals if they have committed an intimate partner offence in the past five years or are already on a release order for a similar offence. Courts will be empowered at any stage of proceedings to order a "risk-of-reoffending" assessment on an accused individual, and will be required to consider life imprisonment sentences for those committing manslaughter against an intimate partner while engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour. The Bill will come into force on July 17, 2026.

New SC Civil Rules Changes – October 1st (Early Consolidation)
B.C. Reg. 105/2026, approved June 26, 2026, makes significant amendments to the Supreme Court Civil Rules and Supreme Court Family Rules, effective October 1, 2026. The key change is a new staged process for chambers applications: applicants will generally serve unfiled application materials first, wait for a response or expiry of the response period, and then set the hearing date by filing and serving a new Notice of Hearing of Application. In most civil and family applications, responses will be due within 5 business days, with longer timelines for certain matters, including summary trial applications and specified family applications. The amendments also update related filing and service deadlines, introduce new notice of hearing forms, and revise several existing forms. For your convenience, Quickscribe has published early consolidations so clients can review the Civil Rules and Family Rules as they will appear when these amendments come into force.

British Columbia Modernizes Freedom of Information and
Public-sector Access Regime
British Columbia's Bill 9, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026, which received Royal Assent on May 28, 2026, introduces amendments to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act (FOIPPA) intended to modernize BC's public-sector access and privacy regime. Public bodies now have greater flexibility with respect to responding to access requests:

• Specificity requirement: The head of the public body has the discretion to decide whether a request provides "enough detail" for the requested record to be identified with "reasonable effort" in a "reasonable amount of time" to constitute an access request described under section 5 of FOIPPA.

Read the full article by Krista Schofer, Arielle Sie-Mah and Nicole Sapieha with Gowling WLG.

BC Court Tosses $29.8 Million Broker Duty
Claim against Marsh Canada
A British Columbia court has dismissed a $29.8 million third-party claim against Marsh Canada, drawing a firm line on broker duties to unnamed insureds. In Fibreco Export Inc. v. AG Growth International Inc., 2026 BCSC 956, Justice D.M. Masuhara of the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted summary judgment on May 27, 2026, throwing out a third-party negligence claim brought by AG Growth International Inc. (AGI) against insurance broker Marsh Canada Limited and senior broker Thomas Liu. The dispute traces back to Fibreco Export's terminal expansion in North Vancouver, where 18 new agriproduct storage silos were built. Marsh placed a construction all-risk (CAR) policy for the project on March 8, 2018, with an estimated coverage value of $85 million. The policy was extended several times. The final extension ran to August 30, 2020 – the same day two silos deformed during commissioning. On September 11, 2020, the first silo loaded with full product collapsed, damaging an adjoining silo and related infrastructure. Lloyd's Underwriters, the CAR insurer, denied coverage on the basis that the policy had expired before the loss. Read the full article by Gladys Jalipa with Insurance Business.

BC Human Rights Tribunal Revises Dismissal Application
Process Amid Ongoing Backlog Concerns
The Chair of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal (the "Tribunal") has announced changes to the Tribunal's dismissal application process under section 27(1) of the Human Rights Code, effective May 1, 2026. The changes mark the next phase in the Tribunal's ongoing efforts to address mounting delays, growing caseloads, and resource pressures. The announcement follows a multi-year review of the Tribunal's "Case Path Pilot," first introduced in May 2022. The pilot fundamentally altered how dismissal applications were handled, moving away from the Tribunal's former approach where respondents could automatically file dismissal applications within a prescribed timeline after disclosure. Section 27(1) serves an important gatekeeping role within the human rights process. It allows the Tribunal to dismiss all or part of a complaint without a hearing, including where there the complaint has no reasonable prospect of success, where proceeding with the complaint would not further the purposes of the Code or was filed out of time. Read the full article by Allison Bruschetta and Anja Nel with Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP.

BC Court Approves 2 Settlements in
ICBC Class-action Lawsuit
A BC judge has approved two settlements in a long-running class-action lawsuit against the provincial auto insurer that once sought nearly $900 million in damages. The negotiated settlements will see far less: $12.2 million paid by the BC government to two charities, as well as hundreds of thousands paid by the Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) to some victims injured in auto accidents. The 2020 lawsuit claimed that successive provincial governments since 1973 had been secretly and illegally using ICBC monies – amounting to millions of dollars annually – to reimburse the public Medical Services Plan (MSP) for car crash victims' doctor visits. It alleged that led to poorer medical care for crash victims who haven't received the full benefits they are entitled to. Read the CBC article.

Bill C-36 and PPCDA – What You Need to Know about Potential
Changes to Canada's Federal Privacy Legislation
Organizations that collect, use, or disclose personal information for commercial purposes should be aware of the potential incoming changes to Canadian private sector privacy law. On June 15, 2026, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-36, marking the government's third, and possibly most ambitious, attempt at modernizing federal private sector privacy laws. If passed, Bill C-36 will replace the privacy protections found in the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act S.C 2000 c. 5 ("PIPEDA") with the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act ("PPCDA"). The PPCDA aims to strengthen Canada's private sector privacy laws in response to the ever-increasing use and presence of data-driven technologies. Read the full article by Jeff Holowaychuk and Aaron Libby with Clark Wilson LLP.

Bail and Sentencing Reform Act Amending
Criminal Code Gets Royal Assent
The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act (Bill C-14) has received Royal Assent, enshrining over 80 modifications to the Criminal Code's bail and sentencing laws into law. The amendments will be implemented on July 15. They strengthen bail and sentencing laws for repeat and violent offenders. The federal government is also allocating $250,000 for each jurisdiction to finance the standardization of national bail data collection, reporting, and analysis. Read the full article by Jacqueline So with Canadian Lawyer.

Details Are Vague about How Bill C-34 Will Ban Kids from
Social Media and Keep Them Safe Online
For a government determined to protect children from unregulated harms that can be inflicted through social media and interactions with chatbots and other generative AI technologies, elected officials are leaving many details to future regulators. In introducing Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller told reporters that Canada's "laws are behind the digital era. We have the tools to act when the harms are caused, but we need to do more to prevent [children] from being harmed… The safety of children can't be an afterthought. We need basic protection in place, so every child in this country should be safe on platforms they use every day." Read the full article by Carolyn Gruske with Canadian Lawyer.

BC Landowner Loses Bid to Reopen Landmark
Cowichan Aboriginal Title Case
An attempt by a Richmond, B.C., company to reopen a landmark Aboriginal title case after the original trial lasted more than 500 days is an "abuse of process for relitigation" and will not be allowed, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled this week. The court ruled in August that the Cowichan Nation have Aboriginal title over a portion of Crown, city and private land in Richmond, saying the Crown's granting of private titles on the land "unjustifiably" infringed on the Cowichan title. Montrose Properties, the area's largest landowner, took the unusual step of trying to have the case reopened, arguing it was unfairly omitted from the original trial and that its fee simple land interests are directly affected by a declaration of Aboriginal title. Read the BIV article.

Jordan Is Here to Stay: Supreme Court Recalibrates –
But Does Not Rewrite – the Trial-Within-a-
Reasonable-Time Framework
Ten years after R. v. Jordan, 2016 SCC 27 [Jordan], the Supreme Court has used two companion cases – R v. Vrbanic, 2026 SCC 19 [Vrbanic] and R v. Jacques-Taylor, 2026 SCC 20 [Jacques-Taylor] – to clarify how the "trial within a reasonable time" framework operates in Canada.

The Bottom Line
Somewhat unusually, the most significant takeaway from Vrbanic and Jacques-Taylor lies in what the Court did not do: It did not rewrite the Jordan framework to disturb the presumptive ceilings of 18 and 30 months. However, the Court's clarifications to the framework send a clear message that all justice system participants "must be proactive in ensuring that proceedings move forward efficiently and quickly". In practice, defence counsel and Crown alike can expect to be held to a higher standard and required to collaborate proactively to move cases through the system efficiently. Defence counsel who are seen to be passive or uncooperative now risk having delay counted against them. Likewise, Crown will be unable to rely on the "case complexity" exception to go beyond the ceilings unless they can show they've taken reasonable steps to proactively mitigate delay. Trial judges, as well, are encouraged to use their broad case management powers to simplify and streamline proceedings under the clarified framework.

Read the full article by Patrick Williams, Lindsay Frame, Emma Walsh and Elena Chen with McCarthy Tétrault.

Inadvertent Failure to Respond to Trademark Expungement at
First Instance Not Fatal to Appeal
In Nielsen Consumer LLC v. Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Federal Court considered whether a trademark owner's inadvertent failure to respond to a section 45 notice (Notice) under the Trademarks Act (the Act) was fatal to its prospects on appeal. Section 45 proceedings are a summary mechanism by which the Registrar of Trademarks may require a registrant to demonstrate use of its mark, failing which the registration may be expunged. In this case, the appellant's failure to respond was the result of an employee's oversight in processing correspondence relating to the Notice, and the mark was accordingly expunged without opposition. Read the full article by Kristin E. Wall and Fiona Sarazin with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.

New Drivers in BC Can Now Take
First Knowledge Test Online
New drivers in BC can now take the knowledge test required for a Learner's licence online, saving people a trip to an ICBC office and helping reduce wait times for other in-person appointments. The online knowledge test is available to people looking to obtain their Learner's licence for passenger vehicles and motorcycles (Class 5 to 8 driver's licences). The online knowledge test is not available to people looking to obtain their commercial driving licence (Class 1 to 4), who will still need to pass a knowledge test in person. Read the BC news release.

Boating Accidents in British Columbia: What Are
Your Legal Rights After a Marine Injury?
A recent boating accident in B.C.'s Georgia Strait has brought marine safety into the spotlight after a charter boat reportedly sank near Roberts Bank, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. While the cause of the incident remains under investigation, tragedies like this raise important questions about personal injury claims, legal responsibility, and the rights of injured passengers. Whether you are a passenger on a charter vessel, a recreational boater, or a family member of someone injured on the water, understanding your legal options is essential. This article explains how boating accidents in British Columbia, personal injury law, and negligence claims may apply, and what injured individuals should know if an accident occurs.

Why This Boating Accident is Significant?
According to recent news reports, a charter boat carrying ten people began taking on water near Roberts Bank in the Georgia Strait. Several passengers were rescued after being found in the water, while search efforts continued for others. The RCMP, Canadian Coast Guard, and Joint Rescue Coordination Centre are investigating what caused the vessel to sink.

Read the full article published by Watson Goepel LLP.

Cross-border Compliance: Your Canadian Drivers Could Be Pulled off US
Roads Starting Now. Here's What Every Motor Carrier Needs to Know
New U.S. roadside enforcement rules are putting language skills under the spotlight. Canadian transportation companies need to be ready. What did the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) change, and why does it matter to you? In Part 1 of this series, we examined the legal and operational implications of the FMCSA revised English language enforcement policy, which took effect on June 25, 2025, and gives U.S. roadside inspectors the authority to place a driver out of service if that driver cannot:

• Read and speak English well enough to converse with the general public;
• Understand U.S. highway traffic signs and signals;
• Respond to official inquiries from inspectors; and
• Complete required forms and documentation.

For Canadian carriers running cross-border routes into the U.S., every driver who interacts with U.S. enforcement personnel is now a compliance risk if their English isn't up to standard. That means hiring practices, dispatch assignments, and driver training programs all need a hard look. Read the full article by Lawrence Witt and Maria-Christina Sorbo-Mayrand with Miller Thomson.

Canada's First 700-bar Commercial Heavy-duty Hydrogen
Fuelling Station Opens in South Delta, BC
HTEC officially opened Canada's first commercial heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling station at the Chevron Commercial Cardlock on Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) land in Delta Thursday morning (June 18). "This station is an important step in bringing hydrogen into heavy-duty transportation. It gives fleets the confidence to operate fuel cell trucks in day-to-day logistics," said Colin Armstrong, President and CEO, HTEC. The CEO noted that the commercial freight industry remains one of Canada's most challenging sectors to decarbonize. Read the BIV article. 

CVSE Bulletins & Notices
The following documents were posted recently by CVSE:

• NSC Bulletin 01-2024 – Safety Rating Certificate and Status for B.C. Carriers
• Notice 02-2026 – New Vehicle Identifier Requirements - Squamish-Lillooet and Fraser Valley Regional District Taxi Licensees
• NSC Bulletin 02-2023 – Publication of Carriers Cancelled for Cause

For more information on these and other items, visit the CVSE website.

Passenger Transportation Board Bulletins
The following updates were recently published by the BC Passenger Transportation Board:

Applications Received

• 24922-26 – Abbotsford Taxi Ltd.
• 25132-26 – 1510913 B.C. LTD (V.I.P. Transportation)
• 25202-26 – KJ Limousine Service Inc.
• 24702-25 – Victoria Taxi Transportation Ltd.
• 24703-25 – Sidney Taxi Ltd.
• 24710-25 – Westwind Cabs Ltd.

Application Decisions

• 25962-26 PS TOP – Vancity Limousines Ltd. [Approved]
• 26034-26 PS TOP – KJ Limousine Services Inc. [Approved]
• 26058-26 PS TOP – 24X7 Limousine Ltd. [Approved]
• 26020-26 PS TOP – Fabulous Limousine Service Inc. [Approved]
• 24023-25 – Vibe N Limo Ltd. [Refused]
• 25943-26 TOP – Associate Taxi Ltd. [Refused]
• 24114-25 – A Grape Experience Wine Tour Inc. [Approved]
• 25125-26 UPN – 0986231 B.C. Ltd. [Approved]
• 26084-26 PS TOP – President Black Car Service Inc. [Approved]
• 26116-26 TOP – A-B Limo Limo Transportation Limited [Approved]
• 24799-25 – Transfer from Herbert Ernst Rehfeldt to Leah Marie Macneil [Approved]
• 24800-25 – Imperial VIP Services, Classic Livery and Coach [Approved]
• 24910-26 – Milan Luxe Ride Ltd. [Approved in Part]
• 23696-25 Reconsideration – Victoria Taxi Transportation Ltd. [Refused]
• 23798-25 Reconsideration – Victoria Taxi Transportation Ltd. [Refused]
• 24683-25 – Regent Limousine Service Ltd. [Approved]

Visit the Passenger Transportation Board website for more information.

Demystifying Workplace Inspections
A good inspection can prevent injuries, save time, and reduce costly surprises. It helps workplaces spot issues early and strengthen safety practices. In BC workplaces, inspections happen in two main ways. Employers carry out regular checks of their workplaces, equipment, and work processes. WorkSafeBC prevention officers also visit workplaces to review safety practices and support improvements. These inspections give employers a chance to ask questions and learn practical ways to improve safety. Read the full article by Sarah Ripplinger, published in WorkSafe Magazine – Summer 2026.

Bill C-35 Forced Labour Ban Reshapes
Supply Chain Safety Duties
A new federal bill introduced in June 2026 is set to significantly expand the compliance obligations of Canadian employers, and health and safety leaders may be among those most affected. Bill C-35, the Ban on Importing Goods Made with Forced Labour Act, received its first reading in the House of Commons on June 12, 2026. If passed, the legislation would give the Minister of Foreign Affairs the authority to ban goods produced wholly or in part by forced labour from entering Canada, building on the country's existing forced labour import framework enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Read the full article by Shane Mercer with Canadian Occupational Safety.

Consultation on Proposed BC Exposure
Limit (EL) for Benzene
An exposure limit is the maximum allowed airborne concentration of a substance that must not be exceeded and is intended to protect nearly all workers over a working lifetime. Regulatory exposure limits exist to ensure the risk of an adverse health effect on workers, due to occupational exposure to specific chemical substances, is minimized. WorkSafeBC is requesting stakeholder feedback on the proposed amendments to the BC exposure limit (EL) for benzene. It is proposed to: (1) adopt an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 0.2 ppm as a BC EL; and (2) withdraw the existing 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL). This harmonizes with the European Union's (EU's) binding occupational exposure limit value (OELV). Read the full WorkSafeBC article.

BC Heat Stress Rules Called Outdated as
WorkSafeBC Urges Employers to Act
With summer temperatures rising across British Columbia, WorkSafeBC is calling on employers to address heat stress and other warm-weather hazards before conditions turn dangerous. The warning comes as a new report from an independent think-tank argues that the province's occupational heat regulations are overdue for a fundamental overhaul, and as the broader climate context grows harder to ignore. This week, a heat dome pushed temperatures to record levels across much of Europe, with climate scientists telling the Associated Press that heat waves are becoming more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting as a result of human-caused climate change. Closer to home, Dave Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, has warned that a "super-charged" El Niño system is on the way, bringing warmer temperatures and a heightened risk of wildfires to Canada. For BC employers and the workers they are responsible for protecting, that backdrop sharpens the urgency of assessing climate risks at work. Read the full article by Shane Mercer with Canadian Occupational Safety. 

West Fraser Fined $110,855.83 after Fatal
Confined Space Engulfment at Sawmill
WorkSafeBC has imposed a penalty of $110,855.83 against West Fraser Mills Ltd., operating as Eurocan Pulp & Paper, following the death of a subcontracted worker who was engulfed by wood fibre inside a silo at the company's Quesnel sawmill. The incident occurred after a fire ignited inside the silo, a confined space, and water used to extinguish the blaze caused wood fibre inside the structure to freeze. A worker employed by a subcontractor was pressure washing the frozen fibre inside the silo when the fatal engulfment occurred. Read the full article by Jim Wilson with Canadian Occupational Safety.

BC Report Urges Ban on Non-disclosure
Agreements for Workplace Abuse
A new report that examines the detrimental effects of non-disclosure agreements on survivors of workplace gender-based violence is urging the British Columbia government to ban or seriously restrict their use. The 103-page study, "Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace and the (Mis)Use of Non-Disclosure Agreements," was created by the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS). The report also calls on incidents of gender-based violence in the workplace to be reported as health and safety issues to WorkSafeBC. Additionally, the findings suggest that the penalty for breaching an NDA should be changed to better align with typical contract law, says Jennifer Khor, supervising lawyer for CLAS and SHARP Workplaces in Vancouver. Read the full article by Carolyn Gruske with Canadian Lawyer.

OHS Policies/Guidelines – Updates
Guidelines – Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
June 11, 2026
This guideline has been retired as WorkSafeBC no longer maintains a list of physicians knowledgeable in diving medicine. To find physicians qualified to conduct medical examinations of commercial divers, please see the Diver Certification Board of Canada website.

• Part 24 Diving, Fishing and Other Marine Operations
  • Medical certification

Editorial revisions were also made to the following guideline:

• Part 5 Controlling Exposure
  • G5.48-9 Measuring compliance with the exposure limits
• Part 7 Radiation Exposure
  • G7.19-2 Notification of worker overexposure to ionizing radiation
• Part 9 Confined Spaces
  • G9.1-1 Excluded confined spaces

Visit the WorkSafeBC website to explore this and previous updates.

Mortgage Services Act – Early Consolidation
Quickscribe has publishe an early consolidation of the Mortgage Services Act (MSA), which comes into force on October 13, 2026 by B.C. Reg. 108/2025. The MSA replaces the Mortgage Brokers Act, and will modernize the regulation of mortgage brokers, lenders and administrators, while incorporating recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in BC. Under the MSA, the new role of Superintendent of Mortgage Services will be introduced, empowered to oversee the regulatory duties of the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) in the mortgage services industry. The BCFSA will be granted wide regulatory powers to create and impose licensing rules, compliance requirements and new disciplinary penalties, allowing it complete oversight of the mortgage services industry, which includes dealing or trading in mortgages, mortgage lending and administering mortgages. The BCFSA will have the authority to

• regulate licences;
• establish requirements, conditions, and restrictions on licences;
• implement standards of conduct and business practice standards for licensees;
• provide standard terms to be included in proposed contracts or forms prepared by licensees; and
• make different rules applicable to different levels of licences, categories of licences, and classes of mortgages.

Confusing 'Extenuating' with 'Exceptional': BCCA Quashes
Arbitrator's Penalty for Delayed Landlord Occupancy
A British Columbia landlord evicted a tenant on the basis that they intended to occupy the rental unit but did not move in until nearly 14 months after the tenant vacated. Under the Residential Tenancy Act, that delay can expose a landlord to liability for up to 12 months' rent. In Kassam v. 1129728 B.C. Ltd., 2026 BCCA 33, the British Columbia Court of Appeal considered what legal standard governs whether a landlord can avoid that liability. The Court held that applying the wrong legal test is not a technical defect: confusing "extenuating circumstances" with "exceptional circumstances" constituted a reviewable legal error that undermines the resulting decision. Read the full article by Damiana N. Pavone with McCarthy Tétrault.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong: Damages for a
Wrongfully Filed Lien Claim in BC
The British Columbia Builders Lien Act provides that a lien claimant is liable for costs and damages incurred by an owner as a result of a wrongfully filed lien claim. However, there are very few cases where costs and damages have been awarded. We previously reported on a 2022 decision awarding damages here. In a more recent BC Supreme Court decision, the Court similarly ordered a lien claimant to pay costs and damages for filing a lien claim outside the 45-day time limit and on the incorrect parcel of land.

The Case
The dispute arose from the construction of several townhome and apartment buildings located in Surrey, British Columbia. The owner retained Mainland Civil Site Services Inc. (Mainland) to perform civil works on three project sites and off-site civil works. The three project sites corresponded with three distinct parcels of land identified as Sites 1, 2 and 3.

Read the full article by Chelsea A. Wilson and Taylor Sterzuk with Dentons.

Critics Slam Government Plan to 'Bail Out'
Sagging Condo Sector in BC
BC is facing a glut of empty condos. Thousands of Metro Vancouver units are sitting empty and some developers are facing insolvency. Now, some housing experts are questioning a plan by the federal and provincial governments to buy some of those vacant units and turn them into affordable housing. They say it amounts to a multibillion-dollar bailout for developers who refuse to lower prices to reflect a sluggish real estate market. Read the CBC article.

Key Updates to CCDC Design-Build Suite: CCDC 14 (2026), CCDC 15 (2026),
and the New CCDC 32 (2026) and CCDC 33 (2026)
This spring, the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) released a series of updates to its Design-Build construction contract suite, including revisions to the CCDC 14 – Design-Build Stipulated Price contract and the CCDC 15 – Service Contract Between Design-Builder and Consultant, as well as two entirely new contracts: CCDC 32 – Progressive Design-Build Contract and CCDC 33 – Progressive Design-Build Service Contract Between Design-Builder and Consultant. The updates to CCDC 14 and CCDC 15 modernize familiar frameworks, including notable changes to ownership of design and liability allocation. The new CCDC 32 and CCDC 33 introduce a new, phased model that enables owner and design-builder collaboration, giving owners greater involvement in the design process and more flexibility in managing cost and risk before committing to the final project price. These changes, especially the new CCDC 32 and CCDC 33 contracts, are designed to modernize the construction contracting to make them more collaborative, transparent, and effective. While these changes and new models may be welcomed by many, changes to the contracts through supplementary conditions to fit the project circumstances, address risk allocation, and appropriate contract administration will continue to be common and necessary. Read the full article by Scott Lamb and Alec Kobetitch with Clark Wilson LLP.

Promotional Contests in BC Real Estate:
Legal Framework and Key Considerations
As British Columbia experiences a slower real estate market, developers are increasingly using creative strategies to differentiate their projects and move inventory. Developers are exploring "rent-to-own", "try-it-before-you-buy-it", complimentary rental management programs and even promotional contests. Such contests may include high‑value prizes such as the chance to "win your home". While contests can be an effective marketing tool, they engage several statutory regimes in British Columbia. This article provides an overview of key considerations for developers before launching a promotional contest. Read the full article by Andrew Beechinor and Alexa Derksen with Lawson Lundell.

Suspicious Late-Life Gifts: When Generosity
Raises Legal Red Flags
Late-life gifts can be meaningful. A parent may want to help an adult child buy a home, support a grandchild's education, thank a caregiver, or simplify estate planning by transferring assets during their lifetime. In many families, these decisions are voluntary, thoughtful, and consistent with longstanding intentions. However, late-life gifts can also become a source of conflict if they raise concerns about the giver's capacity, pressure from the recipients, isolation, dependency, or financial exploitation. A sudden transfer of money, land, shares, jewelry, investments, or an interest in the family home may prompt difficult questions, particularly when the gift benefits one person to the exclusion of others. These disputes can involve elder abuse and estate litigation issues, and families may need to look more closely at how, why, and when the transfer occurred. Read the full article published by Meridian Law Group.

Codicil to a Will in British Columbia
A codicil is a legal document that allows an individual to make changes or additions to their existing will without having to completely rewrite it. In British Columbia, codicils play an important role in the estate planning process, providing flexibility and convenience for those who need to make updates to their existing will. Understanding the rules and procedures for creating a valid codicil is crucial for anyone wishing to make changes to their will in BC. In this guide, we will explain what a codicil is under BC law, how to write one that is valid, the mistakes that most often void them, what it costs, and how to tell when you should make a new will instead. Read the full article published by Onyx Law.