April 3, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
As we have previously noted on this page, on March 26, 2020 the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued Ministerial Order No. M082, which requires local authorities, to the greatest extent possible without unduly compromising any other bylaw enforcement objectives of the local authority, to ensure that their Bylaw Enforcement Officers provide assistance […]
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Ministerial Order under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
March 27, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On March 26, 2020, the Minister of Citizens’ Services made Ministerial Order No. M085 pursuant to section 33.1(3) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”). Order M085 will remain in effect until June 30, 2020 unless rescinded by the Minister before that date.
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Temporary Suspension of Limitation Periods in BC
March 27, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On March 26, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General made Ministerial Order M086 pursuant to the Emergency Program Act, titled the Limitation Periods (COVID-19) Order. This Ministerial Order reflects the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all aspects of society, including legal proceedings. This Order acknowledges that it may not be […]
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Recent Amendments to the Employment Standards Act to Protect Employees Affected by COVID-19
March 26, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
On March 23, 2020, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, British Columbia made two amendments to its Employment Standards Act, RSBC 1996, c 113 (the “ESA”) in order to protect employees affected by illness or injury. Local governments employ workers in a number of respects, and many of those individuals will likely be entitled […]
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Ministerial Orders under the Emergency Program Act
March 26, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General has now made three Ministerial Orders pursuant to the Emergency Program Act. The following is a summary of what each order provides. These Orders apply during the declared state of emergency made on March 18, 2020. The following is a summary of what each Order provides. A […]
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Risk Management in Exercising Local Government Emergency Powers
March 25, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
While local governments grapple with taking the lead in their communities to best protect the health and safety of their populations they must be careful to ensure that there is a basis of statutory authority for the steps they are taking. Failing to do so could otherwise potentially place elected officials or senior staff at […]
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Local Government Emergency Powers in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 24, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General declared a state of provincial emergency on March 18, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of local governments are now considering whether they should also declare a state of local emergency. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Public Safety […]
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Legal Implications for Homelessness During COVID-19
March 24, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
The circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic may give rise to new challenges pertaining to homeless populations within the jurisdictions of local governments. Although decisions of British Columbia Supreme Court over the last two years have clarified and confirmed that responsibility for homelessness lies with the Province and not with local governments, it is recognized for […]
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COVID-19 and Bylaw Enforcement
March 22, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
Notwithstanding the gravity of the crisis which British Columbia and the rest of the world is facing, local governments may find themselves dealing with businesses that choose to ignore the clear directions provided by Provincial public health officials. While it is expected that Provincial authorities will take the lead on enforcing public health orders, local […]
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Declaration of Public Health Emergency
March 19, 2020COVID-19 Legal Updates
The Provincial Health Officer declared a public health emergency on March 17, 2020. The Declaration is authorized under Part 5 – Emergency Powers of the Public Health Act. Local governments should be aware that during an emergency Part 5 of the Public Health Act applies despite any provision of the Public Health Act or any […]
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