Energy and Mines News:

Owners of northern B.C. mining project prepare for downturn

The global economic crisis and the threat of a recession have forced Adanac Molybdenum Corp., the owners of a promising mine in northern British Columbia, to rethink their construction plans while they search for financing. See the CBC News story.

Forest and Environment News:

B.C. joins California court challenge of GHG standard

The Province has filed a legal brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in support of California’s legal challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which denied a waiver to implement the California Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standard for Vehicles, it was recently announced. Under the United States Clean Air Act, a waiver from the federal EPA is required where a state wishes to adopt vehicle emission standards. California has received over 50 waivers in the past; this refusal was unprecedented, thus prompting the current legal challenge. See the News Release.

Rona vows to buy only eco-certified lumber

Canadian home improvement giant Rona Inc. has adopted a tough new lumber-buying policy that Greenpeace says is going to change the way suppliers log Canada's forests. Rona wants to "do the right thing," executive vice-president Normand Dumont said when announcing new environmental standards for the lumber sold in its stores. See News Article in the Vancouver Sun.

Bail out the Auto Industry? What about the Forest Industry?

Chief executive officers from 15 of the nation's leading forest companies warned Ottawa recently against bailing out the auto and aerospace sectors. The CEOs, who have been struggling to survive a severe downturn in their own industry for the past two years, said in Vancouver that they don't want to see public money going to bailouts for any failing industries. The industry leaders were responding to references in the throne speech that the Conservative government is ready to offer support to the auto and aerospace sectors. Instead of bailouts, however, Ottawa needs to "fix the fundamentals of the economy," so that all industries will be better able to withstand the economic crisis, said Avrim Lazar, president of the Forest Products Association of Canada. See News Article in the Vancouver Sun.

Canada can work with Obama on environment, trade

The Conservative government recently said that an Obama presidency in the United States could pave the way for a common North American approach to environmental issues, and that any differences on trade could be worked out. See News Article in the Vancouver Sun.

New satellite system gets faster flood, climate data

The B.C. government has purchased a new domestic satellite data retrieval system (DOMSAT) that will greatly reduce the time needed to retrieve critical weather, snow and river data used to warn British Columbians about potential flooding, it was recently announced. See the News Release.

Health News:

8-1-1 service makes accessing health advice easier

Starting Nov. 21, 2008, British Columbians can simply dial 8-1-1 to get 24/7 health information, medical advice and help navigating B.C.'s health-care system, it was recently announced. The HealthLink BC service includes a new health system navigation service that is accessible via telephone or the Internet. The navigation system assists the public and health professionals in finding and accessing appropriate health resources in, or close, to their home communities. See the News Release.

New E-Health act to regulate health records

Regulations to bring legislation into force that supports the introduction of electronic health records while ensuring patient privacy is protected, were recently brought into force. The E-Health (Personal Health Information Access and Protection of Privacy) Act was introduced April 10 and most of it brought into force Nov. 7, 2008. The eHealth program will create an Electronic Health Record (EHR) for every British Columbian. The EHR is a secure and private lifetime record of a patient’s health history and care within the health system, which authorized health professionals can electronically access to improve patient care. See the News Release.

Labour and Company News:

Consumer Taxation Branch — The following updates have been posted:

• Notice to Vendors and Operators - Commission Amount Increased. This notice outlines the increase to commission amounts that registered vendors and operators are eligible to claim on the social service tax or hotel room tax returns.
• The Small Business Guide to Provincial Sales Tax (PST) has been updated with new PST and Hotel Room Tax commission rates and is now available in nine languages.
• Bulletins HRT 003, Completing the Hotel Room Tax Return and SST 032, Completing the Social Service Tax Return, have been revised to outline the commission amounts that registered vendors and operators are eligible to claim on the social service tax or hotel room tax returns.
• Notice - Exempt Fuel Retailer Program. This notice explains the new program for retailers who operate on reserve land and sell fuel exempt of tax to eligible First Nations customers. This program will replace the existing collector appointments for fuel retailers who operate on reserve land.

Local Government News:

Property owners retain right to appeal 2009 assessments

On Nov. 1, the provincial government announced it will maintain assessed property values for the 2009 assessment roll at the July 1, 2007 valuation date (2008 assessment roll) to give property owners more certainty in response to the downturn in the real estate market. New construction that takes place in 2008 will be assessed at a value as if it existed July 1, 2007. As in previous years, every property owner in British Columbia can expect to receive an assessment notice by mail in early January. After receiving a notice, owners are encouraged to review it and contact BC Assessment if they have questions or concerns. The right to appeal is unchanged, and will continue to be available to any property owners who believe their assessments are too high, even at the July 1, 2007 level. See the News Release.

Regional districts eligible to apply for towns for tomorrow funding

Regional districts are encouraged to apply for infrastructure funding under the expanded $71-million Towns for Tomorrow program, it was recently announced. Unlike traditional infrastructure programs, Towns for Tomorrow provides between 75 and 80 per cent of project costs, with a maximum provincial contribution of $400,000 for communities with fewer than 5,000 people and $375,000 for communities of 5,000 to 15,000. See the News Release.

LoGo Notebook

Staples McDannold Stewart has posted the Fall 2008 issue of their LoGo Notebook which includes informative articles entitled "An Important Trend in the Law of Nusance", "Watch Your Schedules – LTO Rejects BC FireSmart Manual" and "Legal Descriptions of Land – 'Plan' Ahead". See the Fall LoGo Notebook.

Motor Vehicle News:

Pilot car signs

The CVSE issued a circular to advise that as of November 24, 2008, B.C. is allowing pilot cars to operate with smaller lettering on "Oversize", "Wide Load" or "Long Load" signs. B.C. will allow pilot cars to operate using these signs with lettering to a minimum of 20 cm in height and 3 cm in stroke. See Circular #05-08.

Consumer Taxation Branch — Notice to Motor Vehicle Dealers. This notice informs motor vehicle dealers of the 2008 and 2009 fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles that qualify for a PST reduction.

Real Estate and Builders Lien News:

Property owners retain right to appeal 2009 assessments

On Nov. 1, the provincial government announced it will maintain assessed property values for the 2009 assessment roll at the July 1, 2007 valuation date (2008 assessment roll) to give property owners more certainty in response to the downturn in the real estate market. New construction that takes place in 2008 will be assessed at a value as if it existed July 1, 2007. As in previous years, every property owner in British Columbia can expect to receive an assessment notice by mail in early January. After receiving a notice, owners are encouraged to review it and contact BC Assessment if they have questions or concerns. The right to appeal is unchanged, and will continue to be available to any property owners who believe their assessments are too high, even at the July 1, 2007 level. See the News Release.