Policy Manuals and Regulations for
Housing Legislation
As of December 7, the Province has released policy manuals and regulations related to housing legislation, and brought into force amendments to the Local Government Act and Vancouver Charter by 2023 Bill 44, c. 45 and 2023 Bill 47, c. 48.

The changes in Bill 44, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023, that prohibit public hearings in specified circumstances and require local government zoning bylaws to permit a minimum number of housing units in specified areas, are now in force. Amendments in Bill 47, Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act, 2023, remove restrictive parking minimums and authorize the Lieutenant Governor in Council to designate transit-oriented areas in specified circumstances. However, the provisions that require local governments to designate transit-oriented areas are not yet in force.

In addition, several provisions of the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, 2023 Bill 35, c. 32, are now in force.

The following housing-related regulations have been introduced:

• Designation of Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation, B.C. Reg. 266/2023
• Local Government Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation, B.C. Reg. 263/2023
• Local Government Zoning Bylaw Regulation, B.C. Reg. 262/2023
• Short-Term Rental Accommodations Regulation, B.C. Reg. 268/2023
• Vancouver Transit-Oriented Areas Regulation, B.C. Reg. 265/2023
• Vancouver Zoning Bylaw Regulation, B.C. Reg. 264/2023

Other new resources include the following:

• For Bill 35, the Short-Term Rentals: Policy Guidance for BC Local Governments manual.
• For Bill 44, the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Provincial Policy Manual & Site Standards. This policy manual will help local governments work with homebuilders to move forward with viable housing projects. Municipalities are required by legislation to consider this manual when developing local zoning bylaws and policies.
• For Bill 47, the Provincial Policy Manual: Transit-Oriented Areas. This manual defines transit-oriented areas, prescribes minimum allowable densities and restricts local government's ability to mandate residential parking. Municipalities are required by legislation to consider this manual when developing bylaws for TOAs.

Have Your Say on Reforming Public
Engagement on Land-use Bylaws
The British Columbia Law Institute has launched a public consultation on improving BC’s legislation that governs public engagement when a local government is enacting a land-use bylaw. The centrepiece of this consultation is the Consultation Paper on Renovating the Public Hearing, which gives readers information on the current law, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a range of options for reform. We note that the province has just adopted Bill 44, a new law that limits the use of public hearings. In this consultation, we hope to hear from all members of the public, and look forward to receiving comments that will assist the BCLI Renovate the Public Hearing Project Committee in developing its final recommendations for reform. Read the full article by Kevin Zakreski with BCLI.

The Consequences of Building in Violation of Local Rules: A Case
Comment on City of Surrey v. Sidhu 2023 BCSC 1837
Building a residence or structure without obtaining the necessary permits and where the construction contravenes local bylaws can be a costly lesson for property owners when they become the target of enforcement action by a regulator or local authority. The recent British Columbia Supreme Court decision in City of Surrey v. Sidhu 2023 BCSC 1837 (the “Petition Proceedings”) highlights the consequences of undertaking construction projects in flagrant violation of local building requirements and carrying on with such construction after a stop work order has been posted on the property. Read the full article by David Giroday of Civic Legal LLP.

BC Court Blocks New Law against Public Drug Use,
Warning of ’Irreparable Harm’
The places specified in the Act include sports fields, beaches, or parks, within six metres of building entrances and within 15 metres of a playground, skate park or wading pool. Read the Vancouver Sun article (paywall).

British Columbia Passes Bill 35, Advancing the Homes for People
Action Plan and Addressing Short-Term Rental Surplus
On October 26, 2023, Bill 35, the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, received royal assent. Bill 35 was introduced as part of the NDP’s Homes for People Action Plan to combat the housing crisis and intends to regulate short-term rental listings of less than 90 days. It amends the Local Government Act. The following discussion highlights the most significant impacts arising from Bill 35, who exactly falls under the new legislation and how short-term rentals booked after May 2024 may be impacted. This blog post is current to December 7, 2023. Read the full article by Michelle Yung and Hannah Johnston with Bennett Jones.

Electric Kick Scooter Project
from UBCM:
Provincial regulations were recently passed to allow the piloting of electric kick scooters in participating communities for four more years. The four-year pilot starts when the current electric kick scooter pilot project ends on April 5, 2024, and will run until 2028. Local governments can join the new pilot project before it starts on April 5, 2024, to provide residents with the opportunity to use electric kick scooters within their community. The new Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project Regulation makes enhancements under the new pilot project legislative framework passed in Spring 2023.

GAAR and Self-help Transactions
Following an earlier submission on proposed amendments to section 245 of the Income Tax Act, the Joint Committee on Taxation of the Canadian Bar Association and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada sent further comments about the General Anti-Avoidance Rule, or GAAR, and self-help transactions. Specifically, the Joint Committee discusses certain transactions or series of transactions commonly implemented to avoid certain tax implications that could be considered, in some cases, to lack economic substance but that should not be assumed to misuse or abuse the GAAR. The preamble in subsection 245(0.1) of the ITA introduces a presumption of misuse or abuse that “will blur the line between acceptable transactions versus abusive transactions.” Read the full article by Brigitte Pellerin on CBA National.

BCCPA: Transferring a Family Business?
New Tax Laws Coming in January
New rules for owners transferring their business to next generation family members or employees will soon take effect The 2023 federal budget introduced new tax rules for owners transferring businesses to next generation family members or employees, which take effect January 1, 2024. Draft legislation was released in August 2023, and included revisions to the proposals for intergenerational business transfers and employee ownership trusts (EOTs). CPA Canada spoke to John Oakey, CPA, vice president of taxation with CPA Canada to find out more about the latest updates to the legislation and what CPAs need to consider moving forward. Read the full article published in the Business Examiner.

CBCA Corporations Must File Information on 
Individuals with Significant Control
Starting January 22
Starting on January 22, 2024, corporations under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) that are required to maintain a register of individuals with significant control (ISCs) will have to file that information with the director under the CBCA. Information on ISCs will have to be filed (1) annually, (2) within 15 days after recording a change to the register and (3) following any incorporation, amalgamation or continuance under the CBCA. Corporations Canada has advised that the annual filing of the ISC information must be made at the same time as the filing of a corporation’s annual return. Annual returns must be filed within 60 days of a corporation’s anniversary date (the date on which the corporation was incorporated or otherwise came into existence under the CBCA) not its year end. Read the full article by Andrew Pollock with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.

Know Thy New Trust Account Disclosures
As the 2023 tax year draws to a close, lawyers are reminded that reporting obligations concerning trust accounts are now in effect and must be part of tax returns to the Canada Revenue Agency starting on December 31st. Canada codified new reporting requirements for trust accounts in last year's budget implementation bill (Bill C-32), part of an OECD-wide effort to combat money laundering. A lawyer's general trust account is exempt from the new requirements. However, client-specific trust accounts must file annual tax returns, beginning in the 2023 taxation year. Read the full article by Dale Smith on CBA National.

Gradually, then Suddenly: Significant Competition
Law Reform Arrives in Canada
After more than two years of much talk of Canadian competition law reform but only limited legislative action, on November 28, 2023, the Canadian government took initial steps towards implementing substantial amendments to the Competition Act (the “Act”). If passed, the latest amendments will dramatically broaden certain provisions of the Act, most significantly in relation to civil collaboration agreements (by applying to not only agreements between competitors) and abuse of dominance, and will alter Canada’s competition law enforcement landscape, ushering in, among other changes, expanded private litigation, stronger civil conduct provisions, and a more expansive merger notification regime. The newly proposed changes are included in an omnibus bill (Bill C-59) introduced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to implement a broad range of measures announced in the government’s November Fall Economic Statement. Read the full article published on the McCarthy Tétrault website.

Updates to BC Sales Taxes
The following updates to sales taxes were recently posted:

Provincial sales tax (PST)

• January 4, 2024
  Effective February 1, 2024, the Regional District of East Kootenay, consisting of Invermere and the Panorama Mountain Resort area, is increasing their Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) rate to 3%. The MRDT location map will be updated February 1, 2024.
  For more information about MRDT, see our Accommodation page.
• December 19, 2023
  Bulletin PST 127, Veterinarians and Pet Stores (PDF, 360KB), has been revised to:
  • Add information about how PST applies to certified guide and service dogs
  • Clarify how PST applies to food for animals, including food for boarded animals
  • Correct information to reflect that drugs injected, applied or administered directly to an animal during veterinary services are exempt from PST
  • Specify that administrative fees associated with sales of drugs and other substances on prescription, or with drugs injected, applied or administered directly to an animal during veterinary services, are exempt from PST
  • Clarify that for drugs or other substances (including specialty food) sold on prescription, subsequent exempt sales for the same animal require either a new prescription or documenting that the item was sold on the initial prescription
  • Clarify that electricity is exempt from PST for all purchasers, effective April 1, 2019

Motor fuel tax and carbon tax

• December 13, 2023
  Bulletin MFT-CT 003, Coloured Fuels and Other Substances (PDF, 202KB), has been revised to update the definition of a licensed motor vehicle as the license plate no longer requires a validation decal.

For more information, visit the BC government website.

BC Securities – Policies & Instruments

The following policies and instruments were recently published on the BCSC website:

• Registered Firm Requirements Pertaining to an Independent Dispute Resolution Service – CSA Notice and Request for Comment – This notice publishes for a 90-day consultation period a proposed framework for an independent dispute resolution service whose decisions would be binding. The comment period ends February 28, 2024.
• 13-315 – Securities Regulatory Authority Closed Dates 2024
• 24-101 – CSA Notice Amendments to National Instrument 24-101 Institutional Trade Matching and Settlement and Changes to Companion Policy 24-101 Institutional Trade Matching and Settlement

For more information, visit the BC Securities website.

Province Fined Over $700k For Unsafe Wildfire
Mitigation Work in Northern B.C.
Ministry of Forests says record WorkSafeBC fine is 'disproportionately high' and intends to appeal
The B.C. government has been fined more than $700,000 after an inspection determined unsafe wildfire mitigation practices were occurring at a site in the province's northeast.

The penalty issued on Oct. 26, 2023, by WorkSafeBC, the provincial agency that promotes safe and healthy workplaces across B.C., rings in at $710,488.79 – the largest fine it has ever issued, the agency says, and the maximum amount allowable for 2022, the year the incident occurred.

WorkSafeBC's report says it found evidence of unsafe falling cuts at a site near Wonowon, around 80 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, B.C., and said the province, which it refers to as the "employer," did not verify faller certification or actively monitor work as required.

Further details of the report are expected to be released publicly on Thursday [January 4], according to WorkSafeBC, but the province says no injuries were associated with the investigation. Read the CBC article.

Measuring and Allocating Forage on Rangelands in BC
The Forest Practices Board has released a report on the measurement and allocation of forage on rangelands in British Columbia.

The report identifies several opportunities to improve the management of public rangelands. These include setting specific targets for conserving forage for wildlife and using a more robust system to measure and inventory the amount of available forage on rangelands.

"The board found that government has developed good guidelines for measuring forage, but they aren't consistently used," said Gerry Grant, board member of B.C.'s Forest Practices Board.

The board also found government lacks a current inventory of forage in some districts with high range usage. Read the report from the Forest Practices Board.

Forest Act Amendment
The Forest Act was amended on January 1 by 2021 Bill 28 c. 38, the Forest Amendment Act, 2021, to repeal a provision that enabled the chief forester to request inventories from tree farm licence holders. The repeal was consequential to the addition of Part 6.1, Forest Resource Inventories, to the Act.

British Columbians Will No Longer Be Given
Single-Use Plastic Cutlery and Bags
B.C. was also set to ban plastic takeout containers in line with feds, but that has been pushed back into 2024
British Columbians will no longer be given single-use plastic cutlery and bags as of Wednesday [December 20, 2023].

New regulations mean that wooden forks, knives and spoons are now only available on request, along with drink lids, straws, condiments and napkins. Straws are largely prohibited, with a limited exemption for those who need them for accessibility reasons.

It's all part of the province's single-use plastics ban, some of which went into effect on Dec. 20, aligning with federal regulations that went into effect on the same day.

However, the province says it will phase in other aspects of the federal single-use plastics regulations, which forbids a range of single-use plastic items, including takeout containers. Read the CBC article.

Environmental Appeal Board Decisions
The following Environmental Appeal Board decisions were made recently:

Environmental Management Act

• Tŝilhqot'in National Government v. Director, Environmental Management Act [Final Decision – Appeal Dismissed]

Wildlife Act

• Russell James v. Licence Action Program, Wildlife and Fish Branch of the Ministry of Forests [Summary Dismissal Decision – Appeal Dismissed]
• Daniel Norton v. Acting Director of Fish and Wildlife, Ministry of Forests [Final Decision – Appeal Dismissed]

Visit the Environmental Appeal Board website for more information.

Forest Appeals Commission Decisions
The following Forest Appeals Commission decision was made recently:

Forest and Range Practices Act

• 367079 BC Ltd. DBA Pro-Link Logging v. Government of British Columbia [Application for Costs – Denied]

Visit the Forest Appeals Commission website for more information.

Supreme Court of BC Temporarily Suspends Restricting
Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act
On December 29, 2023, the BC Supreme Court granted an interim injunction in Harm Reduction Nurses Association v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 2023 BCSC 2290, that pauses the coming into force of the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act until March 31, 2024. The Act, which received Royal Assent on November 8, 2023 to be brought into force by regulation, set out tighter rules around the use of illegal substances in public places.

Previously, the Province had received an exemption from Health Canada to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) to allow possession of small amounts of certain drugs. The Act, if brought into force, would ban the use of any of these substances in public, authorize police to direct people to stop using them or to leave the area, to seize and destroy these substances, and to arrest without a warrant anyone who does not comply with these directions.

The Harm Reduction Nurses Association challenged the constitutionality of the Act based on violations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and requested a pre-trial injunction to pause its coming into force. The Court considered the test for an interim injunction: whether a Charter case demonstrates a serious question to be tried, whether the applicant will suffer irreparable harm if the relief is not granted, and an assessment of the balance of convenience. In this case, the plaintiff argued that the Act would cause more deaths from drug overdoses due to lone drug use, increased interactions with law enforcement, involuntary displacement, drug seizures, and increased fines, detentions, arrests and imprisonments. The court agreed there was a serious issue to be tried, that at least some of these harms were very likely to occur, and that, especially in the context of the ongoing public health emergency regarding drug-related deaths, the balance of convenience favoured granting the injunction.

Longitudinal Family Physician
Payment Model Newsletter
from Doctors of BC:
Today we are pleased to share an update on the LFP Payment Model expansion to facility-based care. This follows on our commitment to build a comprehensive payment model to strengthen family practice, building on the foundation of the clinic-based LFP model launched in February 2023. Over the past several months, Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors and the Ministry of Health have focused on the expansion into four areas of facility-based care, namely: in-patient, maternity, palliative and long-term care. We have now reached agreement on the approach, with the goal of supporting stable and sustainable service in these vital areas of facility-based care.

Hundreds of Foreign-trained Doctors Boosting
BC Family Medicine, Says Health Minister
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says almost all of the 666 international medical graduates registered in the province this year are now working as doctors, with more than half in family medicine. Dix's comments come amid ongoing health-care woes including hospital overcrowding and many residents being left without a family doctor. He says as many as 700 doctors who weren't practising family medicine a year ago are now working in the sector. Dix says a new longitudinal payment model that reflects time spent with patients and complexity of their needs is proving more popular with the new doctors than the traditional fee-for-service model. Efforts to boost the number of family doctors in B.C. also included the creation for spaces in B.C.'s medical schools for both Canadian and international students, Dix says. Read the BIV article.

BC Says 578 Foreign-educated Nurses
Registered in 2023, Doubling Intake
The number of foreign-educated nurses newly registered in British Columbia this year has more than doubled from last year, as the province makes progress on a $1-billion, multi-year plan to attract more health-care workers. The first yearly update on B.C.'s health human resources strategy says 578 internationally educated nurses became fully registered in the province in 2023. The province says "thousands" more international nurses are working toward getting registered and will be getting the required clinical experience next year. Read the BIV article.

Canada Labour Code Termination Provision
Amendments: February 1, 2024
Federally regulated employers who have employees that fall under the Canada Labour Code (the "Code") will need to take note of significant changes effecting employer obligations to employees upon termination.

Effective February 1, 2024, the Budget Implementation Act, 2018 enacts significant amendments to the Code. One amendment will require employers to provide individual employees with a graduated notice of termination based on the employee's consecutive years of continuous employment with the employer. Where the Code used to provide for two weeks' notice of termination or wages in lieu, the Code will now require a graduated notice system, similar to that found in the BC Employment Standards Act. Read the full article from Clark Wilson LLP.

BC Employee Wrongfully Dismissed Over
'Strongly Worded' Email
An employee in British Columbia has won $81,100 in damages after the Supreme Court there ruled that she was wrongfully dismissed over a "strongly worded" email.

Kavita Lefebvre was hired as a Departmental Administrator by Gisborne Holdings Ltd in April 2022 to replace an employee on parental leave.

The employment dispute stems from Lefebvre's email to HR manager Ian Gibson, where she responded to his email that summarised their meeting on June 30. Read the full article by Dexter Tilo in the Canadian HRReporter.

BC Government Will Expand Employment
Protections to Gig Workers
On November 30, 2023, the Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2023 received Royal Assent. This Act will amend the Employment Standards Act and Workers Compensation Act to include "online platform workers". Such workers will be defined as "a person who performs prescribed work that the person accepts through an online platform". Such workers are intended to include drivers for ride-hailing companies (e.g. Uber and Lyft) and drivers for food-delivery companies (e.g. Uber Eats, Skipthedishes, and DoorDash). Read the full article by Scott Marcinkow with Harper Grey LLP.

I'm Listening: BC Appeal Court Confirms that Secretly
Recording Colleagues Constitutes Just Cause
In Shalagin v. Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership, 2023 BCCA 373 ("Shalagin"), the British Columbia Court of Appeal affirmed that surreptitiously recording fellow employees may constitute just cause.

Employers are often reminded that the threshold for establishing just cause in Canada is high, as discussed in our previous post which also provides an overview of the general principles of just cause termination. However, in the recent decision of Shalagin v. Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership, 2023 BCCA 373 ("Shalagin"), the British Columbia Court of Appeal ("BCCA") affirmed the trial judge's decision that secretly recording colleagues in the workplace constituted just cause. Additionally, in Mechalchuk v. Galaxy Motors (1990) Ltd., 2023 BCSC 635 ("Mechalchuk"), a decision from earlier this year, the Supreme Court of British Columbia ("BCSC") also upheld a just cause termination in a case where the employee attempted to expense approximately $250 in personal meals as business meals, submitting receipts by writing the names of coworkers on the receipts; when confronted with the issue, the employee perpetuated his dishonesty. Both Shalagin and Mechalchuk involved dishonest misconduct committed by employees in a position of trust. These recent British Columbia decisions serve as a good reminder that while care must be taken when determining whether an employee can be terminated for just cause, the threshold for what constitutes serious and egregious conduct may be lower when the behaviour strikes at the trust relationship between the employer and employee. Read the full article by David M. Price and Maja Blanchette with Stikeman Elliott LLP.

Federal Government Considers Recommended
Changes to Employment Equity Act
In 2021, the federal government appointed a task force to advise on how to modernize and strengthen the federal Employment Equity Act (the "Act").

The Act first came into force in 1986 and was significantly revised in 1995. The Act's stated purpose is to "achieve equality in the workplace so that no person shall be denied employment opportunities or benefits for reasons unrelated to ability" and "to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities." These four groups – women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities – are currently the designated groups that the Act seeks to promote through equitable representation. Read the full article by Shane D. Todd and Grace McDonell with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP.

Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 157, Number 49:
Regulations Amending the Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Regulations (Canadian Update)
75-day consultation (until February 22, 2024 11:59pm EST)
Issues: The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) under the authority of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (TDG Act) need to be updated to strengthen existing rules, clarify provisions, fix inconsistencies, and introduce new rules in response to concerns raised by stakeholders, inspectors, and local authorities. From Transport Canada.

Canada Enacts Regulations on Sale of
Zero-Emission Light-Duty Vehicles
On December 20, 2023, the Government of Canada enacted Regulations Amending the Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations (the "ZEV Regulations"). The ZEV Regulations affect companies that manufacture and import light-duty vehicles, and will further Canada's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

The ZEV Regulations were announced in draft form in December 2022. They apply to light-duty vehicles (passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks), which account for about half of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Under the ZEV Regulations, automobile manufacturers and importers must meet annual zero-emission vehicle regulated sales targets — these targets begin at 20% for model year 2026, and they increase yearly to 100% for model year 2035 and beyond. Read the full article by André Durocher, Steven F. Rosenhek and Michael Parrish with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP.

Shipping Document
This bulletin explains shipping document requirements. It does not change, create, amend, or suggest deviations to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG Regulations). For specific details, consult Part 3 of the TDG Regulations. Read the full bulletin from Transport Canada.

Global Guide to Autonomous Vehicles 2023
Companies operating in or around the autonomous vehicles industry face a growing patchwork of complex and, in some cases, underdeveloped laws, policies, and regulations. These legal and policy frameworks can vary greatly by jurisdiction, even within a single country.

Dentons' 2023 Global Guide to Autonomous Vehicles provides a detailed roadmap of the developing policy, regulatory and legal landscape for autonomous vehicles, as well as the specific driving forces and roadblocks across key areas that will define the global mobility revolution. Read the Dentons article.

Tougher Action to Deter Trucks from Hitting
Overpasses Will Make Travel Safer
Tougher action is being taken to prevent truckers from crashing into highway infrastructure throughout B.C. as stronger deterrents against unsafe commercial-vehicle drivers will make highway travel safer.

Trucking companies involved in infrastructure crashes will see stronger consequences that escalate for repeat offences. In cases where a company has a history of non-compliance, including previous infrastructure crashes, enforcement measures will become increasingly severe. This includes potential suspension and possible cancellation of a company's carrier safety certificate, essentially preventing their operation in B.C. Read the government news release.

ICBC Not Entitled to Unlimited Information
in Processing Claims
ICBC has a lot of power when processing claims. But it is not unlimited. This week reasons for judgement were published by the Civil Resolution Tribunal reigning in some of the power ICBC thought they had.

In the recent case (Nawa v. ICBC) the Applicant was involved in two collisions. A benefits dispute arose with ICBC with the Applicant claiming, among other things, that ICBC wrongfully suspended the payment of his income replacement benefits.

ICBC argued they were entitled to do so because he did not comply with section 11 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act. This section requires an insured to give ICBC "the content required by the corporation" and further to "comply with any other method of making and proving claims that is established by the corporation.". Read the full article by Erik Magraken on the BC Injury Law Blog.

CVSE Bulletins & Notices
The following documents were posted recently by CVSE:

• Compliance Circular 05-2023 – Highway Infrastructure Crash Progressive Enforcement Framework
• Bulletin 07-2023 – Over-height Regulations, Speed Limiters and In-Cab Warning Devices
• NSC Bulletin 02-2023 – Publication of Carriers Cancelled for Cause
• Circular 06-2023 – Hours of Service Rules for the Motion Picture Industry in B.C

For more information on these and other items, visit the CVSE website.

Passenger Transportation Board Bulletins
The following updates were recently published by the BC Passenger Transportation Board:

Applications Received

• 18732-23 – Uray Transportation Inc. (Rider Express)
• 19054-23 – Gurmit Singh Kailley (LimoMe)
• 19073-23, 19074-23 – Sunpreet Singh (Energetic Taxi Cab.)
• 18751-23 – Hallcon Crew Transport Canada Inc.

Application Decisions

• 19209-23 PS TOP – Vancity Limousines Ltd. [Approved]
• 19066-23 TOP – Luxury Transport Inc. [Approved]
• 19226-23 PS TOP – Cando Venture Corp. (Resort Connector, Fernie Connector, Resort Tours and Transportation) [Approved]
• 18264-23, 18265-23 – Vantastic Rentals Limited (NOW Shuttle) [Approved in Part]
• 18657-23 – Ecofriendly Taxi Ltd. [Approved]
• 19254-23 PS TOP – Intralink Transportation Services Ltd. [Approved]
• 19255-23 PS TOP – Celebrity Limousine Service Ltd. [Approved]
• 18591-23 – 1123910 B.C. Ltd. (Sunstar Shuttle) [Refused]
• 19236-23 PS TOP – Island Chauffeur Inc. [Approved]
• 18523-23 – Stampede Taxi Ltd. [Refused]
• 19269-23 TOP – Michael McLean Bruce (Connect Airport Transfers) [Approved]
• 18327-23 – Kelowna Cabs (1981) Ltd. [Approved]
• 19257-23 PS TOP – Intralink Transportation Services Ltd. [Approved]
• 19327-23 PS TOP – Vanride Shuttle Services Ltd. [Approved]
• 18520-23 – Squamish Taxi Ltd. [Approved]
• 16427-22 – Timeless Limousine Service Ltd. [Approved in Part]
• 19227-23 PS TOP – Cando Venture Corp. (Resort Connector, Fernie Connector) [Approved]
• 18052-23 – Yellow Top Taxi Ltd. [Approved in Part]
• 18732-23 – Uray Transportation Inc. (Rider Express) [Approved]
• 18966-23 – Mebin Thomas (Super Cabs) [Approved]
• 19356-23 TOP – Cold Comforts Lodgings Ltd. [Approved]

Visit the Passenger Transportation Board website for more information.

Employer Alert: New Requirements under the BC
Workers Compensation Act in Effect Jan. 1, 2024
On June 9, 2023, the Province of British Columbia published Order in Council No. 342, bringing into effect certain provisions of Bill 41, Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2) (the Act) that were not yet in force. BC employers and employees returning from work-related injuries will need to comply with the new return-to-work requirements imposed by the Act. Read the full article by Cole Mailloux with Gowling WLG.

Consultation on Proposed Amendments to Part 16 of the
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 16, Mobile Equipment, sections 16.21 to 16.21.1 — Seat belts, of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase gives stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. All stakeholder feedback is carefully considered and analyzed, and provided to WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors as part of their decision-making process. Visit the WorkSafeBC website for additional information about these proposed amendments.

Employer Licensing and Worker Certification 
for Asbestos Abatement
In British Columbia, most asbestos-containing building materials were phased out by the early 1990s, with a small number of asbestos materials remaining in use thereafter and still found in buildings today. Anyone who repairs, renovates, or demolishes buildings continues to be at risk of exposure. Asbestos breaks down into miniscule fibres as it ages or when it's disturbed. Touching or moving it then releases the fibres into the air, where they can linger and put people at risk of exposure. Asbestos-related lung diseases are preventable, yet exposure to asbestos remains the leading cause of work-related deaths in BC. And that's why the provincial government has introduced new protections to help keep workers safe from the danger of asbestos. As of January 1, 2024, asbestos abatement employers must be licensed to operate in BC, and anyone performing asbestos abatement work must be trained and certified. Read the full article by Marnie Douglas in the Winter 2023 edition of WorkSafe Magazine.

BC Employer's Workplace Safety
Penalty Slashed by Tribunal
Richmond Plywood Corporation Limited, also known as Richply, has successfully appealed a hefty penalty imposed by WorkSafeBC. This case sheds light on the importance of considering the facts as they were known at the time and highlights the shared responsibility for workplace safety between employers and workers. Richply made headlines in 2021 when it was fined $547,000 by WorkSafeBC following an incident that left a worker injured. The worker’s hand was caught in a plywood press while carrying out his duties. WorkSafeBC deemed the violations as high-risk and noted that this was a repeated offense, resulting in the unusually high penalty. Read the full article by Shane Mercer on Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine.

Consultation on Proposed Amendments to Part 3 of the 
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
from WorksafeBC
Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 3, Rights and Responsibilities, section 3.01 — General risk management, of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase gives stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. All stakeholder feedback is carefully considered and analyzed, and provided to WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors as part of their decision-making process.

Proposed regulatory amendments under review:

• Part 3, Rights and Responsibilities, section 3.01 — General risk management

Proposed Amendments to Policy on Average
Earnings in Chapter 9 of the RS&CM
from WorksafeBC
Chapter 9, Average Earnings, of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II (RS&CM), sets out WorkSafeBC’s policies regarding average earnings. WorkSafeBC must determine the amount of a worker’s average earnings at the time of the injury, as well as the worker’s average net earnings after making deductions from gross earnings. These determinations are important because they are the basis for calculating a worker’s compensation benefits. Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to policy to improve readability and address key issues raised by stakeholders and WorkSafeBC subject matter experts. You’re invited to provide feedback until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024.

New Public Health Orders
The Public Health Office (PHO) recently issued the following guidance:

• Guidance for Courthouse Users During the COVID-19 and Other Communicable Disease Incidents – December 15, 2023 (PDF, 382KB)
  • Courthouse Public Health Incident and Communication Response Protocol – December 15, 2023 (PDF, 360KB)

Visit the PHO website to view these and other related orders and notices.

OHS Policies/Guidelines – Updates
Guidelines – Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

December 12, 2023:
The following guidelines were revised:

• Part 4 General Conditions
  • G4.46 Definition of musculoskeletal injury (MSI)
  • G4.47 Risk identification
  • G4.48 Risk assessment
  • G4.49 Risk factors
  • G4.50-1 Risk control
  • G4.51 Education and training
  • G4.52 Evaluation
  • G4.53 Consultation

December 15, 2023:
Editorial revisions were made to the following guideline:

• Part 19 Electrical Safety
  G19.15(1)-1 Use of GFCI outdoors in the film and performing arts industries

January 1, 2024:

• Part 6 – Asbestos
  • G6.2.1 Asbestos abatement work and asbestos certificates (new)
  • G6.2.2(2) Details of the asbestos certificates (new)
• Part 20 – Demolition
  • G20.112 Hazardous materials – Asbestos (revised)
  • G20.26.6 Operator certification (new)

Guidelines – Workers Compensation Act

January 1, 2024:

• G-P2-96-1 Suspension and cancellation of asbestos certificates (new)
• G-P2-94-1 OHS Citations (revised)

Policies – Workers Compensation Act

January 1, 2024:
The following policies were updated to reflect CPI adjustments, effective January 1, 2024:

• P2-94-1 – OHS Citations
• P2-95-4 – Non-Exclusive Ways to Impose Financial Penalties
• P2-95-5 – OHS Penalty Amounts
• P5-251-1 – Claims Costs Levies

Visit the WorkSafeBC website to explore this and previous updates.

Department of Finance Releases Draft Regulation on Enhanced 
GST Rebates for New Purpose-built Rental Housing
On December 14, 2023, the Department of Finance released draft regulations (the “Regulations”) intended to clarify the enhanced 100% GST rebate for new purpose-built rental housing. The Regulations will be deemed to have come into force on September 14, 2023. For further discussion on the enhanced GST rebate, see our previous blog post. The Department of Finance originally announced GST relief on new residential rental construction on September 14, 2023. The core legislation relating to the enhanced GST rebate came as part of Bill C-56, which received Royal Assent on December 15, 2023. Bill C-56 amended parts of section 256.2 of the Excise Tax Act (the “ETA”), and added subsections (3.1), (3.2), and (9.1). Read the full article by Adrian Zee with Thorsteinssons LLP.

AF2G Investments Inc. v. Minister of Finance –
What constitutes a valid property transfer tax objection?
A recent decision from the British Columbia Supreme Court (“BCSC”), AF2G Investments Inc. v. Minister of Finance (BC), 2023 BCSC 2133, provided guidance on when a communication constitutes an objection under section 19 of the Property Transfer Tax Act, R.S.B.C, 1996, C. 378 (the “Act”). At issue was whether a letter dated February 10, 2020 (the “February Letter”) addressed to an auditor at the Ministry of Finance, Property Taxation Branch (the “Branch”) constituted a valid objection. Read the full article published by Adrian Zee with Thorsteinssons LLP.

Electric Planning Reports

Dear Tony:

With the new regulations that require strata corporations of 5 units or more to have electric planning reports completed, will this apply to a small townhouse or bare land strata like ours which is only 14 units in Delta? With single detached units where each home has its own panel and meter, why would this report be of any value to our small community? – Jameson M.

Dear Jameson:

In most strata corporations, whether they are 100 townhouse units, 200 apartment high rise units, or an 8 unit bare land, every strata lot has its own panel and is metered by the service provider. This does not assure sufficient power for the future  upgrades of electrification. The purpose of an Electric Planning Report (EPR) is to determine how much power is available to your strata corporation, the current demand, possible future demands when upgrades are added for EV Charging, heat pumps for units or common areas, and other conversions and whether upgrades will be required.

Read the full article by Tony Gioventu on Condo Smarts, published by CHOA.

BC Court of Appeal Rules on Res Judicata
in Arbitration Proceeding
In a recent construction dispute, the BC Court of Appeal has ruled on the issue of res judicata in an arbitration proceeding. In Bollhorn v. Lakehouse Custom Homes Ltd., 2023 BCCA 444, an arbitrator heard a dispute between Robert Bollhorn as buyer and Lakehouse Custom Homes as builder and seller on alleged deficiencies in constructing a house in Kelowna, BC. The arbitrator ultimately ruled that the doctrine of res judicata barred the dispute between the parties. Read the full article by Angelica Dino on Canadian Lawyer.

BCPNP Prioritizing Certain Construction Occupations
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (“BCPNP”) has announced that certain construction occupations will now be prioritized in order to support the province’s ‘Homes for People Action Plan’, which was announced earlier this year. The goal of the Action Plan is to increase the volume and rate of delivery of new homes in the province. In order to support this goal, BCPNP will issue targeted ‘Invitations to Apply’ to eligible Skills Immigration stream candidates with a valid BC trades qualification in any of the priority construction occupations. Read the full article by Lara Gradil with Mathews Dinsdale.

Speculation Tax Expansion
As we approach the end of 2023, the B.C. Government recently announced its plan to expand the speculation and vacancy tax to THIRTEEN (13) additional municipalities in B.C. This expansion will bring the total number of communities subject to the tax to 59. The speculation tax, sometimes called the vacancy tax, is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in areas in B.C. affected most by the current housing crisis and shortage. It was introduced by the BC government in 2018. Read the full article by Vanessa Dedominicis with Pushor Mitchell LLP.

New Federal Prompt Payment Legislation for the
Construction Industry Comes into Force
The Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos has announced that the federal prompt payment legislation officially came into force on December 9, addressing long-standing construction industry concerns over timely payments. The government said that Canada's construction industry is an essential driver of the economy as it employs an estimated 1.5 million people. In 2016, industry stakeholders raised the long-standing issue of payment delays along the contracting chain. The new legislation aims to tackle payment delays along the contracting chain, ensuring timely payments for construction work and supporting the industry's vitality. Read the full article by Angelica Dino on Canadian Lawyer.

New Regulations Make EV Charging Requests
Easier in Strata Developments
New regulations will make it easier for people living in strata developments to request electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations where they live. “Lack of access to electric-vehicle charging should not be a deterrent to people wanting to purchase or rent in a strata complex, which for some is a more affordable housing option,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister for Housing. “We’re ensuring that people living in strata developments have a process to request access to electric-vehicle charging, while also helping stratas to plan for and manage electrical capacity. We’re considering future need, adapting to climate change and building a low-carbon B.C.” The regulations outline a process for a homeowner in a strata to request to install an EV charging station and determine a timeline for strata corporations to respond. The regulations also enable strata corporations to grant permission to an owner to exclusively use a parking stall on common property on land that is a common asset for as long as five years if EV charging has been installed and the installation resulted from an owner’s request for EV charging. Read the government news release.