July 21, 2021COVID-19 Legal Updates, Legal Updates
As of the end of the day on June 30, 2021, the COVID-19 State of Emergency, as previously declared under the Emergency Program Act (British Columbia), was cancelled. The Province is now in a period of transition under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act, SBC 2020, c. 8. The COVID-19 Related Measures Act was adopted to […]
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New COVID-19 Restrictions in British Columbia Affecting Employers
November 20, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On November 19, 2020, pursuant to the province’s ongoing state of emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government announced new province-wide restrictions by order of the Provincial Health Officer, many of which affect employers, including local governments. COVID-19 Safety Plans: Most notably, employers are being asked to review their COVID-19 Safety Plans. We […]
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Employment Standards Act Temporary COVID-19 Layoff Provision Extended
June 26, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
In the context of the novel coronavirus, employers in British Columbia, including local governments, have been increasingly faced with difficult decisions relating to contracts of employment. Employers are contending with the need to balance their obligations towards employees with the practical and financial realities of maintaining operations. In the present circumstances, employers are therefore increasingly […]
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New Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process Order (MO192)
June 19, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On June 17, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued a new order under the Emergency Program Act relating to local government meetings and timing requirements for bylaw passage, with the intent of moving local governments toward more normal operations. Ministerial Order 192 (which can be found here) repeals and replaces MO139. While […]
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WorkSafeBC requires all employers to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan
June 4, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
Worker safety has been at the forefront of the operational concerns raised by employers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the province implements its Return Plan and workplaces, including local governments, cautiously reopen their doors, there is an urgent public health interest in preventing the spread of coronavirus. To this end, WorkSafeBC has […]
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New Local Government Finance (COVID-19) Order
May 20, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On May 15, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued a new order under the Emergency Program Act that relates to local government financial matters affected by COVID-19. Borrowing from Reserve Funds The order states that municipalities, regional districts, improvement districts, and other specified bodies may, during the 2020 calendar year, borrow from […]
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New Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process (COVID-19) Order
May 5, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On May 1, 2020 the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued the Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process (COVID-19) Order No. 2. Ministerial Order No. 83/2020 (as referred to in our March 26, 2020 post) is repealed. The new Order continues and expands upon the provisions of Ministerial Order 83/2020, by providing that […]
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Changing Property Tax Due Dates and Penalties in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 9, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
Under section 234 of the Community Charter, July 2 is the date on which property taxes for a year are due under the general tax collection scheme. The Municipal Tax Regulation provides that if all or part of the property taxes payable under the general tax collection scheme remain unpaid after July 2, the collector […]
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Update re: Temporary Suspension of Limitation Periods in BC
April 8, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On April 8, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General made Ministerial Order MO98 pursuant to the Emergency Program Act, titled the Limitation Periods (COVID-19) Order No. 2. This Ministerial Order replaces MO86 made on March 26, 2020. The new Ministerial Order continues to suspend all mandatory limitation periods and any other mandatory time periods […]
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Protection Against Liability for Essential Service Providers
April 3, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On April 2, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General made Ministerial Order M094 pursuant to the Emergency Program Act, RSBC 1996, c. 111, titled Protection Against Liability (COVID-19) Order. Order M094 will remain in effect until the declaration of a state of emergency expires or is cancelled, or if extended, until the […]
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