BC Gov News

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After 48 sitting days, representing an estimated 330 hours of debate, government has delivered a successful legislative session that supports throne speech promises to control spending, open new markets and attract new investment, improve infrastructure, protect our environment and modernize B.C.’s laws. Significant pieces of legislation include the Budget Measures Implementation Act, nurse practitioners amendments, the Apology Motion, and the new Missing Persons Act, to name a few.

Quote:

Premier Christy Clark -

“A cornerstone of a successful democracy and economy is good governance, and good governance isn’t possible without robust and effective legislation. These new pieces of legislation and amendments will help ensure citizens enjoy the highest quality of life possible now and in the future.”

Control Spending

One of government’s top priorities is controlling spending and the key piece of legislation helping government meet this promise is the Budget Measures Implementation Act. The act complements Balanced Budget 2014 and brings into law some initiatives, including Core Review, announced in the June Budget Update 2013.

The Core Review ensures the best possible use of government resources and respect for the interests of taxpayers. Related to those goals, the Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act will save provincial taxpayers approximately $1.5 million per year. Provincial government ministries and agencies will assume the commission’s responsibilities for property management and cultural/educational programming.

Open New Markets and Attract New Investment

During this past spring, government committed to promoting natural resource development to create jobs. As Canada’s gateway to the Pacific, British Columbia has a target to have three LNG facilities operational by 2020. The Province has taken concrete action to give LNG companies certainty when making their final investment decisions - those efforts have been successful. For example, we signed Letters of Intent with Petronas and Woodfibre to reach Project Development Agreements by no later than November 30.

New and amended legislation will continue government’s efforts towards job growth by creating an environment of certainty for business and citizens, something that is essential to grow the economy and create a secure society.

For example, amendments to the Oil and Gas Activities and the Petroleum and Natural Gas acts help to improve oil and gas processes and operations, increase investor confidence and provide clarity around crown resource tenure.

The Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act amended the Range Act to increase business certainty for range tenure holders while amendments to the Wildlife Act increase business certainty for guide outfitters through streamlining administrative processes and allowing longer terms for range tenures.

Certainty around land use has been also improved with the Cultus Lake Park Amendment Act giving Cultus Lake Park residents majority representation (three out of five seats) on the Cultus Lake Park Board thereby enabling residential and business leaseholder owners to exert more influence on their economic and social future.

The Agricultural Land Commission Act is being updated to help farmers and farm families get ahead by recognizing regional differences, strengthening regional decision-making and enhancing the Agricultural Land Commission’s (ALC) service to the public. The ALC will remain a fully independent tribunal and decision-maker and will continue to make final decisions on specific land uses within the Agricultural Land Reserve, with preservation of farmland as its first priority.

Improve on B.C.’s Safety and Social Infrastructure

While the Province is moving forward with growing the economy, it is also working to ensure that British Columbians have a secure and healthy future for their families.

The Laboratory Services Act sets a framework to strengthen and standardize B.C.’s clinical lab system. This legislation allows the provincial government to streamline and integrate the system to take advantage of emerging and improving medical technologies, which will help B.C. keep lab services sustainable and cost-effective. It also allows government to improve patient services and ensure that resources are deployed efficiently and where they are most needed.

The nurse practitioners amendments allow these health professionals to work more fully within their existing scope of practice. The changes will provide British Columbians with more options when seeking medical opinions and improve access to a variety of government programs.

Government also took steps to stop the spread of current and emerging diseases with a new Animal Health Act that will also improve the response to potentially disastrous outbreaks. The legislation increases the number of reportable and notifiable diseases to about 100, many of which were not known when the act was last substantially revised in 1948. It also brings B.C. in harmony with other legislation across Canada, addressing the realities of increasing global travel and trade.

Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act fulfil government’s election commitment to restore the list of presumptive diseases recognized by WorkSafeBC to include heart disease in firefighters - including forest firefighters.

Under this amendment, if a firefighter suffers from heart disease or a heart injury - including a heart attack - it will be presumed to be due to their work as a firefighter unless the contrary is proved.

The Missing Persons Act improves police access to information that may hold clues to a missing person’s whereabouts, consistent with the spirit and intent of a recommendation of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. The law strikes the appropriate balance between privacy rights and access to key information, and focuses on cases where a missing person hasn’t been seen, or in touch with people who are normally involved in their lives.

Amendments to the Police Act will give government the ability to set additional standards for police in B.C. that support bias-free policing, community input into policing priorities, as well as standards police are to use when conducting major case investigations. The changes are also recommendations of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.

British Columbians will have an additional way to secure their financial future and save money for retirement through Pooled Registered Pension Plans. Nearly two-thirds of B.C. workers are without a registered pension plan. The Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act enables employees of small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as the self-employed, to join pension plans administered by regulated financial institutions.

With the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act more than 55,000 hectares are being added to B.C.’s protected areas system, which is already one of the largest in North America.

Amendments to the Park Act outline clear requirements for certain activities within B.C.'s provincial parks to ensure natural resources are protected and provide clear and consistent direction around authorizing outdoor recreation, tourism, commercial filming and research activities in parks.

The Off-Road Vehicle Act introduces a comprehensive safety framework for riders of these vehicles and introduces a mechanism to fund creation and maintenance of riding trails.

Modernization

It is important that B.C.’s laws, and the programs they lay the groundwork for, are modern, reflect the needs and values of British Columbians, and support good governance practices.

The House unanimously approved an Apology Motion introduced by Premier Christy Clark for historical wrongs against British Columbia’s Chinese Canadian community. The apology not only recognized the‎ historical wrongs, it acknowledged the overwhelming contribution by Chinese-Canadians to British Columbia’s culture, history and economic prosperity,‎ and emphasized the importance of the province’s rich cultural history and diversity‎.

The Electoral Boundaries Commission Amendment Act gives the independent Electoral Boundaries Commission the ability to recommend changes to the boundaries of all electoral districts while preserving the existing number of electoral districts in northern and rural regions of the province and ensuring the total number of provincial electoral districts does not exceed 87.

Together, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act and the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Funding Referenda Act place greater authority for TransLink in the hands of the Mayors’ Council and lay the groundwork for a public, region-wide transportation funding referendum.

Amendments to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act will accommodate the B.C. government’s model for liquor sales in grocery stores and lay the legislative groundwork for 14 other recommendations from the Liquor Policy Review, such as liquor sales at farmers’ markets, happy hours and streamlined changes to the Special Occasion Licence process - all of which will come into effect at later dates.

The new Water Sustainability Act modernizes and replaces British Columbia’s century-old Water Act. It positions B.C. as a leader in water stewardship.

Quick Facts:

The second session of the 40th Parliament started on Feb. 11, 2014, with the Speech from the Throne and ended May 29, 2014.
During the second session of the 40th Parliament, government introduced and passed 27 pieces of legislation and legislative amendments.
To ensure that government is able to fulfil its legislative agenda, while controlling the cost of operating Parliament, debate occurs in the House and the Douglas Fir Room.

Learn More:

Speech from the Throne: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/thronespeech/
B.C.’s Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/
B.C.’s Balanced Budget: http://bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2014/default.htm
B.C.’s Core Review: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2013/07/core-review-terms-of-reference-released.html
BC Newsroom: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Robert Boelens
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1674

Scott Sutherland
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

Sheldon Johnson
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 213-5811

Media Relations
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 888-1462

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834

Jamie Edwardson
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821

Greg Bethel
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

Kristy Anderson
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Ministry Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
778 977-0298

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice, Attorney General
250 953-3196

Media Relations
Ministry of Justice, Solicitor General
250 213-3602

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Natural Gas Development
250 952-0617

Robert Adam
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

BACKGROUNDER

Government’s Legislative Achievements

Listed alphabetically by ministry, and then numerically by bill number.

Ministry of Agriculture

Bill 19 - Animal Health Act

The number of reportable and notifiable diseases increases, from nine to about 100, under this act, which enables government to respond as needed with modern animal disease management practices such as inspections, seizures, orders, penalties and enacting emergency powers. Among the benefits are: improved early detection of animal diseases through expanded monitoring and surveillance programs; requirement for producers to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading disease; ensure employees are trained to prevent and respond to disease; maintaining of records of animal origin; abide by inspector’s orders and report any incidents of disease or unusual illness; increased disease control measures, such as restricting the movement or sale of affected animals; and increased penalties. The legislation updates a bill first introduced in 2012, and clarifies there will be no restriction on the general public, including media, from reporting the presence of diseases.

Bill 24 - Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act

The legislation protects farmland in British Columbia, while helping farmers grow their businesses and earn a better living, supporting farming families in continuing to produce food on their land, and giving the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) the modern tools it needs to continue making independent land use decisions.

In recognition of B.C.’s regional differences, two ALC-administered zones are being created, with zone 1 comprising the existing Island, South Coast and Okanagan panel regions; and zone 2, the Interior, Kootenay and North panel regions. In zone 1, where there are different growth pressures and significant urbanization, it remains status-quo. In both zones, the ALC continues to make all land-use decisions and the legislation has been updated, following consultative input from the agricultural sector and written feedback from British Columbians, to be clear that the ALC must look at farmland protection and agricultural purposes as its first priority.

Consultations with the agricultural sector, the ALC and UBCM on whether any existing regulations should be updated to help support farmers in growing their businesses or supporting their farming operations are expected to occur later this year.

The ALC’s existing model of six regions and six regional panels are also being formalized, with regional panels making decisions for their specific regions. The act gives the ALC Chair flexibility in referring specific applications to the ALC’s executive committee for decision. Changes also improve land use co-ordination with local governments and modernize the Commissions operations though service standards and governance and accountability frameworks.

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Bill 6 - Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act

The legislation supports government’s Core Review goals to manage taxpayer dollars wisely, eliminate overlap and find efficiencies. Dissolving the Provincial Capital Commission will save provincial taxpayers approximately $1.5 million per year. Provincial government ministries and agencies will assume the Commission’s responsibilities for property management and cultural/educational programming.

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Local Government Act, Community Charter & Vancouver Charter)

The legislative amendments will support economic development by cutting red tape and modernizing out-dated land use regulation tools that can delay building projects and add costs for developers and landowners.

Bill 20 - Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act supports the B.C. government’s commitment to implement the majority of recommendations of the joint B.C.-Union of British Columbia Municipalities Local Government Elections Task Force. The legislation achieves the first significant reform of local elections in British Columbia in 20 years by enhancing accountability and transparency and strengthening compliance and enforcement, as well as education and advice. Accessibility will be addressed when expense limits are implemented for the 2018 local elections.

Bill 21 - Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act

The Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, is a companion piece of legislation to Bill 20. The act makes the consequential changes to the Local Government Act, Vancouver Charter, Community Charter, Islands Trust Act, Cultus Lake Park Act and School Act required by the new Local Elections Campaign Financing Act - as well as other changes such as moving from three to four-year terms of office for local elected officials.

Bill 27 - The Cultus Lake Park Amendment Act

The legislation supports government’s efforts to promote a strong economy. By giving Cultus Lake Park residents majority representation (three out of five seats) on the Cultus Lake Park Board, the act enables residential and business leaseholder owners to exert more influence on their economic and social future.

Ministries of Children and Family Development and Education

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Special Accounts Appropriation and Control Act)

Amendments to the Special Accounts Appropriation and Control Act amendments will enable successful implementation of the new BC Training and Education Savings Program (BCTESP). The program will provide $1,200 grants paid from the Children’s Education Fund into Registered Education Savings Plans for B.C. six-year-olds born on or after January 1, 2007. This will help B.C. families save for their children’s post-secondary education. These changes also authorize the creation of a separate fund or funds to provide for the training and educational needs of former children in care and other vulnerable children who have had significant involvement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and who would not have their training and educational needs met by BCTESP.

Ministry of Environment

Bill 4 - Park Amendment Act

The Province has a well-defined, draft policy in place setting out what the requirements would be for obtaining a research permit in a provincial park. Research permits do not allow, promote or otherwise enable industrial projects in parks and protected areas.

One of the reasons we're making these amendments is because currently it would be difficult to authorize any kind of research in a park, even activities we might find beneficial that might not be directly linked to the park such as vegetation sampling, fish surveys and low-impact geotechnical studies. Permits would only be considered after a thorough review of the protected area values, including management plans, impact assessments and conservation assessments.

British Columbia has the highest percentage of its land base dedicated to protected areas in Canada, and one of the largest protected-areas systems in North America.

Bill 11 - Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act

Amendments to this act are regularly required to establish new ecological reserves, parks and conservancies, as well as add and modify lands to these protected areas for a variety of reasons.

Area will be added to two existing conservancies and two parks, as well as marine waters to four existing conservancies. The boundaries of six existing parks, one conservancy and one ecological reserve will also be modified. These amendments will support community water supply systems, commitments from land use plans and strategic agreements with First Nations as well as the redevelopment of a hydroelectric power generation station.

Since 2004, the system of Class A parks, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas has increased by more than 3.2 million hectares.

Bill 18 - Water Sustainability Act

Since 2009, the B.C. government has engaged widely, and received suggestions and ideas on an unprecedented scale and quality. This input from individual British Columbians, First Nations organizations and stakeholder groups has helped shape the new Water Sustainability Act.

The new act will make improvements in seven key areas, to:

Protect stream health and aquatic environments.
Consider water in land-use decisions.
Regulate and protect groundwater.
Regulate water use during times of scarcity.
Improve security, water-use efficiency and conservation.
Measure and report large-scale water use.
Provide for a range of governance approaches.

The Water Sustainability Act will be brought into effect in spring 2015, once supporting regulations are developed and finalized.

The B.C. government is also reviewing its approach to water pricing. After the introduction of the bill in the legislature, government asked British Columbians to comment on a set of principles that will help inform a new fee and rental structure to support the new act and sustainable water management. Those comments are now being reviewed.

Ministry of Finance

Bill 9 - Pooled Registered Pensions Plans Act

The B.C. government has worked with the federal and other provincial governments to develop the pooled registered pension plans (PRPP) framework. B.C.'s legislation substantially adopts the federal legislation to ensure that B.C.'s participation in the PRPP framework does not impose unnecessary administrative burden. Expanding pension plan options makes it easier for working families to save money. This legislation enables any B.C. worker to join a pooled registered pension plan, even if their employer does not set up a pooled registered pension plans or if they are self-employed. Alberta and Saskatchewan also have enacted PRPP legislation, and Quebec has passed similar legislation-for Voluntary Retirement Savings Plans.

Bill 10 - Pension Benefits Standards Act Amendments

The modernized Pension Benefits Standard Act was passed by the B.C. Legislature on May 31, 2012. It is designed to reduce administrative costs, enhance the rights of pension plan members and permit innovative alternatives, such as jointly sponsored cost-sharing pension plans and target benefit plans. The new PBSA and regulations, which will be ready by the end of 2014, will give former pension plan members the option of withdrawing "locked-in" funds in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan or life income fund in cases of financial hardship. On Nov. 20, 2012, Alberta enacted parallel legislation as the Employment Pension Plans Act. The new PBSA represents B.C.'s joint commitment with Alberta to create harmonized pension standards legislation that adopts many of the recommendations in the 2008 Report of the B.C./Alberta Joint Expert Panel on Pension Standards.

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Belt Tax Act repeal)

The act was introduced in 1950 to create a special one-time only 25% tax on the assessed value of land and timber within the original Esquimalt and Nanaimo grant that was alienated by the railroad company after February 20, 1946. Between 1950 and 1969, approximately $16 million in tax was assessed under the Act. By 1969, the relevant lands had been alienated from the company and no more tax has been assessed since then. Repealing the act makes it clear there will be no tax collected under this act in the future.

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Real Estate Development Marketing Act)

The purpose of Real Estate Development Marketing Act is to create a framework for better regulation of the real estate development sector by providing consumer protection while also facilitating development and enabling the efficient operation of the development industry, a key economic driver in British Columbia. The intent of the Real Estate Development Marketing Act is to ensure that purchasers are given all material facts and information about the home they are buying and to provide them with remedies if the developer fails to do so. The proposed amendments to the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (REDMA) help facilitate real estate development by bringing clarity to the scope of purchasers’ remedies and certainty to the enforceability of purchase contracts.

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Taxation (Rural Area) Act)

The Taxation (Rural Area) Act currently requires a tax notice be sent to every owner of a property subject to taxation under the act. The amendment allows a single representative owner to receive the tax notice, rather than sending out notices to each owner. There are currently only 35 properties in B.C. that would be affected by these changes.

Bill 18 - Budget Measures Implementation Act

The Budget Measures Implementation Act complements Balanced Budget 2014 and promotes a number of social policy and economic development initiatives reflected in the budget such as validating the legislation in the Gwaii Forest Charitable Trust, extending the mining flow-through share tax credit and increasing the tobacco tax. The act also provides for the sound management of government’s budget and finances. In order to achieve social policy and economic development objectives, government will initiate a number of tax policy measures in Budget 2014. In 2015-16, these measures will provide $181 million in net benefits to taxpayers.

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources

Bill 5 - Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act

Amendments to the Range Act build on a BC Jobs Plan commitment and are in response to the Ranching Task Force’s recommendations to improve regulatory processes for range tenure holders. The amendments:

Streamline the process for approving agreements (permits and licences), so that vacant Crown range can be allocated more quickly and efficiently.
Improve business certainty for range operators by allowing longer terms on tenures and conversion of grazing permits issued prior to 2004 to grazing licences.
Allow a holder of multiple tenures to more easily consolidate or subdivide those tenures and enable the conversion of grazing leases to grazing licences, providing flexibility for tenure holders to manage their unique business models.
Remove the requirement for operators to obtain ministry approval before selling excess hay production.
Amendments to the Wildlife Act build on the government’s commitment to provide additional business certainty for the guide outfitting industry by:
- Allowing corporations as well as individuals to hold guiding territory certificates, making guide certificate ownership less risky by reducing liability among co-owners and increasing opportunities for individuals to come together to purchase territories.
- Replacing the licensing requirement for assistant guides with an authorization issued by the employing guide outfitter, giving guide outfitters more flexibility to hire help in unexpected peak periods.
Minor amendments to the Land Title Act, Forest Act and Wildfire Act were also included in Bill 5.

Bill 13 - Off-Road Vehicle Act

The act:

Establishes a one-time registration system specifically designed to integrate with the pre-existing structure of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s vehicle registry, reducing implementation costs. ORVs will have to be registered and display a clearly visible number plate before they can be operated on Crown or other public land.
Allows the development of regulations on the rules of operation (such as wearing helmets), safety standards and conditions of use for a wide range of modern ORVs, including snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles or “quads”, dirt bikes and utility terrain vehicles.
Assists in identifying stolen or abandoned ORVs, by requiring ORVs to be registered in a database that is accessible to peace officers at all times.
Provide officers with more effective enforcement tools to target the small number of irresponsible ORV owners that endanger others or damage sensitive habitat. This includes the ability to stop and inspect ORVs for violations, seize an ORV for safety or evidence purposes, and increase the maximum fine for offences from $500 to $5,000.
Enables the ORV Trail Management Sub-account to be established to fund the development and maintenance of trails.

Ministry of Health

Bill 7 - Laboratory Services Act

The act enables government to strengthen patient services and ensure that resources are deployed efficiently and where they’re most needed. This legislation provides authority for the province to better co-ordinate in-patient and out-patient clinical laboratory systems provincewide and enables British Columbia to enter into agreements with service providers to provide greater certainty regarding costs.

Under the legislation, the Minister of Health will be responsible for governance and accountability, audit, provision of benefits and compensation for all laboratory services in the province. The introduction of this legislation is the first phase and paves the way for future reforms to strengthen the system and improve patient care. The ministry plans to consult with stakeholders as it implements the legislation over the next three years.

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act

Nurse Practitioners Act amendments

The legislation allows nurse practitioners to more fully and collaboratively contribute within the health system. This builds on legislation introduced in 2011 that took significant steps towards removing the barriers facing nurse practitioners in the workplace. The amendments allow nurse practitioners to officially sign off on a wide range of routine legal and administrative documents that verify they have examined or treated a patient. Previously, this paperwork needed to be signed by a physician who may have had no prior relationship with the patient.

Vital Statistics Act amendments

Instead of having a second physician confirm that an individual has had successful gender re-assignment surgery, the legislation will now require a person to provide an application stating their desired sex designation (male or female); a declaration stating the applicant has assumed and intends to maintain the desired sex designation. The legislation also requires a statement from a physician or psychologist authorized to practice in Canada confirming the sex designation on the birth registration does not correspond with the applicant’s gender identity. If under 19, a statement of parental and guardian consent is also required. The act is also updated to avoid presumptions about religion as the provincial population is diverse and the terminology will be updated to be neutral.

Ministry of International Trade and Ministry responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism

Historical Wrongs Apology

The B.C. legislature apologized for historical wrongs committed against British Columbia’s Chinese Canadian community. The Apology Motion follows an extensive three-month consultation process led by Teresa Wat in her role as Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism. More than 1,300 people attended a series of seven forums throughout the province between November 2013 and January 2014. A final report was issued that lays the foundation for ongoing educational and legacy initiatives, and reflects the broad consensus of participants.

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Workers Compensation Act)

B.C. continues to be a leader in recognizing occupational diseases associated with long-term employment as a firefighter. Some of the key features of the legislation amendments are:

The proposed amendments will provide presumptions for heart disease and for heart injury including heart attacks.
The presumptions will apply if the claimant was employed as a firefighter at or immediately before the date of disablement from heart injury or disease.
This legislation will thus support B.C. firefighters in receiving workers’ compensation should they suffer from heart disease or heart injury as a result of their work.
The presumption will be available to local government firefighters as well as forest firefighters.
Finally, the presumption will apply to eligible firefighters who first become disabled from heart disease or heart injury on or after the day the legislation comes into force on Royal Assent.

Ministry of Justice

Bill 2 — Electoral Boundaries Commission Amendment Act

The amendments to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act were outlined in a white paper released Nov. 14, 2013, by Attorney General and Justice Minister Suzanne Anton. The white paper was available for public comment until Jan. 15, 2014. Government received 63 comments during that time, all of which are available for viewing online at: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/legislation/ebca/amend.htm

Bill 3 - Missing Person Act

The Missing Persons Act defines who is a “missing person”, “vulnerable person” or “person at risk.” In cases meeting these thresholds, police will be able to apply for a court order:

Requiring someone who has a missing person’s records to provide police with access to them. The legislation sets out the scope of records a justice may order released, including telephone calls, text messages, video footage, and employment, financial and other relevant data.
Allowing entry with a court order into a private home or other location where they believe a minor, vulnerable person or person may be at risk.
Providing access to the records of a person last seen with, or believed to be in the company of, a missing minor, vulnerable person or person at risk.
When there is an emergency such as a risk of serious harm to a missing person or a concern that records could be destroyed, the act will authorize officers to directly demand access to records.

These changes mirror the intent of MWCI recommendations calling for single-purpose legislation “to grant speedy access to personal information of missing persons without unduly infringing on privacy rights”.

Bill 14 - Justice Statutes Amendment Act

Adult Guardianship Act and Patients Property Act amendments

These amendments will co-ordinate statutory guardianship under the Adult Guardianship Act with “court committeeship” under the Patients Property Act.

Family Law Act amendments

B.C.’s Family Law Act came into force on March 18, 2013. The law is centred on ensuring a child’s wellbeing and best interests, as families navigate significant times in their lives such as separation and divorce. The act was developed after consultations with more than 500 organizations, community groups, the legal community, other stakeholders and members of the public.

Police Act amendments

The Police Act amendments support government’s commitment, under the B.C. Policing and Community Safety Plan, to create new policing standards in support of recommendations and key themes of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. Notably, the director of police services has gained the power to designate one police agency to audit another’s major case investigation if it has remained unsolved for more than a year. The director could exercise this power when he believed the investigating force may not have met provincial investigative standards.

Other, significant legislative changes related to policing:

Increase the maximum member total on a municipal police board to nine from seven. This change, which follows related requests from the BC Association of Police Boards and some municipalities, acknowledges the increased complexity and volume of police board work.
Authorize government to issue commissions to qualified, senior municipal police officers. This change will enable government to set qualifications and criteria for commissions, which will provide senior members with an incentive to pursue those credentials. In turn, this amendment will enhance, recognize and honour the culture of professionalism among B.C.’s most senior-ranking municipal police officers.

Bill 15 - Liquor Control and Licensing Amendment Act

Amendments to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act provide for future implementation of 15 out of 73 recommendations from the B.C. Liquor Policy Review - one of the B.C. government’s most successful public engagements.

While a complete re-write of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act is planned for spring 2015, government is adopting a phased-in approach to modernizing the legislation. The first step, modernizing outdated provisions and reforming the current act, is now complete and will allow for faster implementation of key recommendations.

Ministry of Natural Gas Development

LNG Agreements

The Province of British Columbia signed agreements with two liquefied natural gas (LNG) proponents - PETRONAS and Woodfibre LNG - during an international trade mission in May 2014. These agreements signal a commitment by both proponents to further LNG growth in British Columbia, with the intention of reaching a final investment decision.

Bill 12 - Natural Gas Development Statutes Amendment Act

The Ministry of Natural Gas Development grants tenure for Crown-owned natural gas and oil resources to industry under the PNG Act. These rights are required before exploration and development operations can commence. Exploration and development activities are permitted and regulated by the BC Oil and Gas Commission under the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

Bill 17 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment (Strata Property Act)

The Strata Property Act provides a framework that enables strata owners to maintain control over their property and have a voice in its management. There are approximately half a million residential strata lots and 29,000 strata corporations in B.C. Depreciation reports have been mandatory since December 2013.

Ministry of Transportation

Bill 22 - South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act

The Mayors’ Council has asked government for more say over TransLink plans and investments.

Government has now responded with amendments to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act. The changes will allow the Mayors’ Council to approve TransLink’s long term strategies, including a 30-year regional transportation strategy and new, fully-funded, 10-year investment plans.

The Mayors’ Council will assume the responsibilities of the TransLink Commissioner. The council will approve fare increases, decide the sale of major assets, and oversee TransLink’s complaints and customer satisfaction survey processes.

The Mayors’ Council will oversee executive and board of director remuneration.

Government will also be adding two provincial appointees to the TransLink board of directors to improve communications between TransLink, the Mayors’ Council and the provincial government. The size of the board will remain unchanged, with 11 members.

Bill 23 - South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Funding Referenda Act

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Funding Referenda Act will enable a referendum to be held by local governments at the same time as civic elections, which would minimize the costs of the referendum.

The legislation enables government to reimburse local and First Nation governments for the costs of delivering a referendum, and will allow the Mayors’ Council to have direct input into the wording of a referendum question.

Government has also said that a referendum could be held outside of the local government elections as a stand-alone vote, but only if it is held before June 2015.

The Mayors’ Council will determine the timing of a referendum. To help with this decision, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone has requested that the Mayors’ develop a regional transportation vision by June 30, 2014. This vision will also help Metro Vancouver voters decide what’s best for the future of the regional transportation system.

Media Contacts: