Energy and Mines News:

Consumer Taxation Branch — The following bulletins have been revised:

• Bulletin SST 126, Oil and Gas Industry - Service Providers and Contractors
• Bulletin SST 127, Oil and Gas Industry - Exploration, Discovery and Development
• Bulletin SST 055, Oil and Gas Industry - Producers and Processors

Family, Wills and Estates News:

Melamine deaths in China concern B.C. adoptive parents — Parents who recently adopted babies from China should take them to the doctor for a thorough examination of their kidneys, a B.C. Lower Mainland pediatrician who specializes in foreign adoption medicine is advising. See the CBC News story.

Forest and Environment News:

Wood use promoted to tackle climate change — A new booklet recently released will inform global markets and consumers about B.C. forests and how they produce renewable, climate-friendly products that sequester carbon. The booklet, "Tackle Climate Change, Use Wood", highlights forest industry accomplishments with respect to climate change. It examines the environmental attributes of Canadian forest products - wood, pulp and paper, and residues - and was produced by B.C.'s Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the Forest Products Association of Canada and the B.C. Forestry Climate Change Working Group. See News Release.

BC Timber sales tests new licence — BC Timber Sales is testing ways to improve utilization and minimize waste of timber through a new innovative timber sale licence, it was recently announced. Licences are being advertised this fall by BC Timber Sales business areas to facilitate harvesting of mountain pine beetle-attacked trees, pulp stands or other timber. The results of the innovative timber sale licence initiative will be evaluated before determining whether to expand the program. See News Release.

Whitebark Pine Bulletin — The BC Ministry of Forests and Range has prepared a bulletin which describes the ecological values and status of the recently designated blue-listed species Whitebark pine. For more information see Whitebark Pine Bulletin.

Research grants support bioenergy development — The Province has granted $600,000 to help grow B.C.'s wood bioenergy sector with continued research into feedstock supplies, technology and infrastructure, it was recently announced. See News Release.

Health News:

Melamine deaths in China concern B.C. adoptive parents — Parents who recently adopted babies from China should take them to the doctor for a thorough examination of their kidneys, a B.C. Lower Mainland pediatrician who specializes in foreign adoption medicine is advising. See the CBC News story.

Labour and Company News:

Consultation Paper on Proposals for a New Society Act - British Columbia Law Institute — The British Columbia Law Institute has published a new report that includes recommendations that are geared to the detailed policy questions that will have to be dealt with in drafting a new Society Act. See the full Report.

Consumer Taxation Branch — Bulletin SST 121, Security Systems, has been revised. For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

$16 million for flood protection in B.C. — Communities in all regions of British Columbia — from the Kootenays to Vancouver Island, and from the Interior to the Bulkley Valley — will benefit from a variety of cost-shared flood protection initiatives announced today by the governments of Canada and British Columbia. See News Release.

Local governments to benefit from trees for tomorrow — Community organizations, First Nations and local governments are invited to apply to the Trees for Tomorrow program, a cost-sharing venture to plant millions of trees in the public areas of cities, towns, villages and regional districts throughout B.C. See News Release.

Province to raise roof on wood-frame construction — The Province will increase the limit on wood-frame construction in the BC Building Code from four to six storeys in January 2009. See News Release.

Municipalities receive climate action incentive — The Province will offset the carbon tax for local governments who have committed to become carbon neutral by 2012. See News Release. See also the CBC News Story.

$31-million cycling investment announced — Cyclists throughout British Columbia will benefit from new, safe and high-quality cycling trails, bike lanes, bike lockers and more, thanks to Bike BC, a $31-million program for cycling infrastructure, Premier Gordon Campbell announced. See News Release.

Province and UBCM Renew Commitment to First Nations — The Province and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together on the negotiation and implementation of agreements encompassed by the New Relationship with First Nations. See News Release.

Motor Vehicle News:

End to Coquihalla Tolls — Tolls on the Coquihalla Highway were removed over the weekend it was announced. See News Release.

Record Keeping Requirements for Local Drivers under the Hours of Service Regulation — A new bulletin was recently issued by the Commercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement branch in order to clarify the record keeping requirements for local drivers who are exempt from the Daily Log Requirement under s.37.18.01(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (B.C. Reg. 26/58). Click here for details: Bulletin.

Consumer Taxation Branch — The Notice to Interjurisdictional Carriers clarifies the record keeping requirements of interjurisdictional carriers who license commercial vehicles under a prorate agreement, such as the International Registration Plan (IRP). For the latest from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Consumer Taxation Branch — The following bulletins have been revised:

• Bulletin SST 121, Security Systems. The Security Systems - Frequently Asked Questions webpage has also been updated.
• Bulletin SST 078, Fixtures
• Bulletin SST 048, Sales and Leases of Portable Buildings
• Bulletin SST 072, Real Property Contractors
• The Certificate of Exemption – Contractors form (FIN 453/C) is now available. Contractors will use this form to purchase materials and equipment exempt from PST on behalf of eligible customers, under contracts that are entered into on, or after, October 1, 2008.
• Bulletin SST 014, Manufactured Homes for Residential Use
• Bulletin SST 046, Exemption for Indians and Indian Bands
• Bulletin GEN 007, Exemption for Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps