The Province is making 187 amendments to 38 regulations across 10 ministries to reduce red tape, improve permitting timelines and make government services more efficient and accessible.

This work is part of Better Regulations for British Columbians (BR4BC) amendment package, which has led to more than 2,000 amendments since 2016. This year’s focus is on expediting permitting and approval timelines for people and businesses in British Columbia.

By streamlining approval processes, such as removing construction permit requirements for very small private water systems, simplifying the level of authority needed for special-use forestry permits, and eliminating outdated provisions related to soil relocation and open burning activities, the Province is making it easier to do business in B.C.

Other changes this year include expanding the use of digital records and clarifying regulatory language. These updates will help businesses benefit from clearer rules and reduced costs, allowing them to focus on growth and innovation.

The changes also support more inclusive, efficient and accessible government services for British Columbians.

Examples of regulatory changes include:

• Contaminated Sites Regulation:
  Amended to modernize site remediation requirements, add exemptions to streamline processes, and update outdated forms.
  More than 1,200 gravel pits and quarries will benefit from simplified soil relocation rules, allowing materials to be moved without submitting a seven-day notice. Sites already certified as clean from soil relocation requirements are now exempt from notification processes, reducing administrative burden.
• Provincial Forest Use Regulation:
  Amended to shift approval authority for special-use permits from the ministerial level to district managers, making it easier for permit holders to carry out deactivation and remediation activities on Crown land.
• Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulation:
  Amended to modernize visual decal requirements. Tobacco and vapour product decals will now follow a single standard format, making it easier for retailers and clearer for consumers.

Learn More:

For more information about Better Regulations for British Columbians, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/regulatory-reform