Family, Wills and Estates News:

School board decisions open to appeal as new B.C. legislation takes effect — Parents unhappy with school board decisions that significantly affect their child can now appeal such rulings it was recently announced. The change was in legislation passed a year ago but not brought into force until this week. Until now, parents and students could only appeal decisions by district employees to their school board, whose decision was final. Appeals of board decisions can now be heard by one of three B.C. superintendents of achievement, who can deny the appeal or send it to mediation or arbitration. See the information under the Local Government Related entries below or the News Article.

Forest and Environment News:

Forestry statutes amendments introduced — Amendments to forestry legislation were recently introduced in the Legislature which clarify wildfire protection rules in rural communities and assist First Nations in accessing timber for domestic use. 2008 Bill 8, the Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, proposes amendments to strengthen wildfire protection for communities by ensuring that strong local bylaws or the Wildfire Act apply in areas regulated by local governments. See 2008 Bill 8 or the News Release.

Forest Practices Code (Pre-January 31st, 2004) Now in Database Format — Forestry clients will be happy to know that the transitional version of the BC Forest Practices Code is now available in both PDF and database format.

Split decision on softwood lumber — An international arbitration panel recently delivered a split decision in the first dispute settled under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement, turning down an American complaint that could have cost B.C. $50 million, but upholding the complaint against central and eastern Canadian provinces. See News Story.

Health News:

Health authorities to get 19% increase over three years — Health authority budget allocations over the next three years will reach the highest levels ever, climbing to $9 billion in 2010/11, it was recently announced. Budget 2008 provides an additional $4.9 billion in new spending on health care across the province from 2008/09 to 2010/11, including $2 billion in additional funding for health authorities – an increase of 19 per cent. See News Release.

Labour and Company News:

Report re: Personal Information Protection Act — A report was recently submitted by the Office of the Information & Privacy Commission for BC. The report concluded that the Personal Information Protection Act was a balanced and effective law that did not require major changes. See Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act report.

Changes to the tobacco laws — New regulations under the Tobacco Control Act that restrict the promotion and sale of tobacco products, and ban smoking in indoor public spaces and workplaces take effect on March 31, 2008 (see details below). Some new features include bans on smoking in all indoor public spaces and work places; smoking within three metres of public and workplace doorways; tobacco sales in public buildings and the display and promotion of tobacco products in all places where tobacco is sold that are accessible to youth under 19.

Securities regulations — A number of regulations under the Securities Act have been introduced, repealed or amended recently. Most have been posted to the Quickscribe site (see details below) and the remaining are expected to be available shortly.

New website improves access to labour data — Employers, unions, researchers and the public now have instant access to the latest information on collective agreements in B.C. Visitors to the website (www.bcbargaining.ca) can find information on the status of labour negotiations throughout the province and the latest data on settlements, expiring agreements, work stoppages and wages. See News Release.

Consumer Taxation Branch — For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Local Government News:

Brownfield renewal creates greener BC communities — The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has outlined an innovative solution to revitalize abandoned and underutilized lands known as brownfields so that British Columbians can get the most value out of the land in their communities. See News Release.

Proceeds of crime to aid prevention efforts, victims — Communities across B.C. will share in $500,000 forfeited as a result of unlawful activity it was recently announced. The new funding program will provide one-time-only grants of up to $20,000 to help prevent and address the effects of crime. Local governments, community and youth organizations, school districts, police departments, victim service programs, Aboriginal organizations and First Nations bands will be invited to apply. See News Release.

Permanent gas tax fund supports cities and communities — As a result of the federal budget being tabled in the House of Commons, the decision was made to make the gas tax transfer permanent. The permanent gas tax fund will provide the kind of funding support our cities and communities need: significant, sustained and predictable. Combined with the suite of infrastructure programs announced in last year’s budget, which will deliver more than $18 billion over the next six years, these measures clear the way for development of a national plan to eliminate the $123-billion municipal infrastructure deficit. See News Release.

Legislative changes address local government needs — 2008 Bill 7, the Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, which was recently introduced in the Legislature, will provide a series of legislative improvements, will provide local governments with more flexibility for advance voting and will provide greater accountability and transparency during local government elections. See 2008 Bill 7 or the News Release.

Safer and greener buildings coming to B.C. — Changes creating safer buildings and a greener B.C. Building Code were recently introduced in Bill 10, the Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2008. Bill 10 will ensure that greener buildings can be constructed and will respond to rapidly changing building technology. See 2008 Bill 10 or the News Release.

LoGo Notebook — Staples McDannold Stewart has posted the Winter 2007/2008 issue of their LoGo Notebook which includes informative articles on in camera meetings, tendering documents and subdivision requirements, among others. See LoGo Notebook.

School board decisions open to appeal as new B.C. legislation takes effect — Parents unhappy with school board decisions that significantly affect their child can now appeal such rulings it was recently announced. The change was in legislation passed a year ago but not brought into force until this week. Until now, parents and students could only appeal decisions by district employees to their school board, whose decision was final. Appeals of board decisions can now be heard by one of three B.C. superintendents of achievement, who can deny the appeal or send it to mediation or arbitration. See News Article.

Motor Vehicle News:

B.C. creates Crown corporation for Port Mann project — Bill 14, the Transportation Investment (Port Mann Twinning) Amendment Act, was recently introduced which will provide for the establishment of a commercial, self-sustaining crown corporation to deliver the Port Mann/Highway 1 Project. See News Release.