Energy and Mines News:

October B.C. Oil and Gas Rights
Sale Highest for 2009
B.C.'s economy has received a much-needed boost with the October 2009 land rights sale, which resulted in $370 million in bonus bids, the sixth-largest sale on record, it was recently announced. This brings the calendar year to date total to $700.6 million. See the News Release.

Forest and Environment News:

Canadian forest sector fears massive U.S.
green energy subsidy
A new U.S. biofuel subsidy is sounding alarm bells in the Canadian forest industry over fears it could be used by American forest companies to give them a final and overwhelming advantage in the battle for continental supremacy. The Canadian industry is saying it is no longer competing against American forest companies but is in an unwinnable battle with the U.S. Treasury which is doling out billions in a bid to develop new green energy resources. See the News story as reported by The Vancouver Sun.

24 forest sector companies qualify
for 'black liquor' funding
On October 9, 2009, the Canadian Government announced that 24 pulp and paper companies across Canada have qualified for funding under the Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program. The Program allows Canadian pulp and paper companies that produced black liquor — a liquid by-product of the chemical pulping process that is used to generate renewable energy — in 2009 to access this $1-billion fund. See the full story as reported on Working Forest.

Health News:

B.C. MLAs work overtime on paramedics bill
MLAs were back in the legislature Nov. 6 for a rare Friday sitting in an attempt to get the Ambulance Services Collective Agreement Act [2009 Bill 21] into law according to the government's schedule. After a morning sitting, they resumed at 7 pm, going through the night and wrapping up with passing third reading and getting Royal Assent about 8 am Saturday. The Bill, which settles the labour dispute between the Emergency and Health Services Commission and its ambulance paramedics and dispatchers, is in the interests of public safety according to the Liberals. The NDP has called it an assault on paramedics' democratic rights. The 3,500 paramedics across the province have technically been on strike since April, but as an essential service, they could not stop working, which has blunted their ability to pressure the government. See the News story as reported by the CBC news.

H1N1 flu virus
The H1N1 flu virus has been a hot topic in the news recently. The government has posted a comprehensive website containing information on the flu, location of flu clinics, and links to HealthLink BC and the weekly information bulletin among others. See the government website. In addition, check the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

Labour and Company News:

Labour Mobility Act
The Labour Mobility Act [2009 Bill 11, chapter 20] came into force on October 29. The Bill allows certified workers from other Canadian jurisdictions to practise their occupations in British Columbia in accordance with Chapter Seven of the Agreement on Internal Trade, and, in particular, provides that British Columbia regulators must consider and apply Chapter Seven when workers who are certified for an occupation in a signatory jurisdiction apply to obtain British Columbia certification for that occupation. See the Labour Mobility Act.

Consumer Taxation Branch
The HST General Transitional Rules has been updated to add the tax policies about the Transitional period around July 1, 2010 when the HST comes into effect. For the latest Bulletins from the Consumer Taxation Branch, see What's New.

Local Government News:

Olympic Signs Legislation
The Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 [2009 Bill 13, chapter 22] was given Royal Assent on October 29. It includes changes to the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act which provide the municipalities of Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler with temporary enforcement powers to enable them to swiftly remove illegal signs and graffiti during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. See the News story as reported by the CBC.

Act introduced to force homeless to shelters
The Assistance to Shelter Act [2009 Bill 18] was introduced on October 29 and will come into force by Royal Assent, expected later in November. The controversial legislation will provide police across British Columbia with the power to forcibly move homeless people to shelters during extreme weather. See the full story as reported in the Vancouver Sun.

Opportunities and Strategies for Green Action by BC Local Governments
West Coast delivered to local governments its new publication, "Bill 27: Opportunities and Strategies for Green Action by BC Local Governments", authored by West Coast Staff Counsel, Susan Rutherford. The focus of the paper is to provide practical guidance on how local governments may use the tools provided under the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 [2008 Bill 27, chapter 23], to advance green initiatives. The paper is organized by "green action" topics (GHG emissions reductions, climate change adaptation, water sustainability and sustainable land use) and for each, identifies and discusses new requirements and opportunities. The paper is of interest to elected representatives, and local government administration and staff (especially environmental, engineering and planning staff). The paper will also help to inform the general public regarding local government authority. See the publication.

LoGo Notebook and Client Bulletin
Staples McDannold Stewart has posted the Fall 2009 issue of their LoGo NoteBook which includes an article on "Selling Land for Local Governments – Part 1" among others. See the LoGo Notebook. In addition, a report on what may be a precedent setting court order on graffiti removal entitled "Civil Graffiti Damages and Injunctive Relief First for a Local Government in British Columbia", is available. See Client Bulletin.

B.C. to limit cellphone use while driving
The Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2009, [2009 Bill 15, chapter 23], was given Royal Assent on October 29 and comes into force by Regulation. It prohibits drivers from using cellphones while driving, unless the phones are connected to hands-free devices. Those who are classified as drivers in the "learner" or "novice" stage of the province's Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) would be barred from using any type of cellphone at all when behind the wheel. The use of other portable electronic devices and text messaging would be banned outright for all drivers. The changes come into effect Jan. 1, 2010, and fines of $167 begin after Feb. 1, 2010. See the News story as reported by the CBC. Also see the News story as reported by The Province.

Real Estate and Builders Lien News:

New Classification for strata accommodation
properties and supportive housing
The Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2009 includes changes to the Assessment Act. The intent is to ensure that new strata accommodation developments are split-classified to reflect actual use for both residential and commercial purposes. The new bill also broadens the definition of eligible supportive housing property to include those funded by regional health authorities. See the Information Bulletin.

B.C. Liberal government pushing ahead with
strata law amendments despite criticisms
The B.C. Liberal government is pushing ahead with amendments to strata law despite criticisms that it has broken a pre-election promise to consult the public on the legislation. On October 5, with a 45-32 vote, MLAs belonging to the governing party defeated a motion by the NDP to delay consideration of the Strata Property Amendment Act, 2009, [2009 Bill 8, chapter 17] for six months. The proposal was intended to allow public input. The legislation went through second reading the same day, and third reading the next day. It received Royal Assent October 29, although will come into force by Regulation at a later date. See the full story as reported on Straight Talk.