Bill 19 – Small Claims Court Goes Digital with the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act

Written by: Kristen Morley

March 12, 2015Legal Updates
In recent years, the Provincial Court has been seeking solutions to deal with the challenge of a high volume of court actions and an increasing number of self-represented litigants. The legislature seems to think the solution lies in creating alternate streams of dispute resolution procedures outside the formal court system. In May of 2012 the […]
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Bill 3 Brings Changes to Building Regulation

Written by: Michael Hargraves, Peter Johnson

March 9, 2015Legal Updates
The BC Legislature has introduced Bill 3 – 2015, the Building Act (“Bill 3”), and has given it first reading. Bill 3 will effect a number of changes to building regulation in the province. The overarching purpose of the legislation, according the Province’s media release, is to promote consistency in the regulation of building throughout […]
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City of Campbell River Successful Against Challenge to its Tax Rates Bylaw

Written by: Robert Macquisten

January 28, 2015Legal Updates
In a B.C. Supreme Court decision released on January 23, 2015 (2015 BCSC 102), the authority of the City of Campbell River to set different tax rates within the same property class was upheld, and is a decision of importance to local government throughout British Columbia.
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A Sigh of Relief for Elected Officials – BC Supreme Court Accepts Defence of Honesty and Good Faith in Claim for Personal Liability

Written by: Colin Stewart

November 17, 2014Legal Updates
In the recent BC Supreme Court decision Orchiston v. Formosa, 2014 BCSC 1080, the BC Supreme Court has ruled on the interpretation to be given to section 191 of the Community Charter and, in particular, has considered defences available to local government elected officials who may be found to have authorized the expenditure of money […]
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New Anti-Spam Legislation in Force July 1, 2014

Written by: Peter Johnson, Marie Watmough

June 23, 2014Legal Updates
Key provisions of the government of Canada’s new legislation: An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic […]
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Court Casts Doubt on Right of Way Clauses

Written by: Michael Hargraves

May 8, 2014Legal Updates
The B.C Supreme Court recently released its judgment in the case of Atco Lumber Ltd. v. Kootenay Boundary (Regional District), 2014 BCSC 524, and the Court’s decision should prompt every local government in the province to examine its standard statutory right of way documents.
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When Is An Aerodrome Not An Aerodrome?

Written by: Michael Hargraves

May 5, 2014Legal Updates
A recent decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Seguin (Municipality) v. Bak, 2013 ONSC 5788, represents both a win for local government, and a sound application of common sense by the court.  The municipality sought an injunction requiring a landowner to demolish a structure built at and over the edge of a lake.  […]
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A Blues-Singing Busker Gets No Satisfaction From The B.C. Supreme Court

Written by: Kristen Morley

May 5, 2014Legal Updates
In Regehr v. North Vancouver (City), 2014 BCSC 513, the Supreme Court of British Columbia considered a constitutional challenge to bylaw notices issued to a blues-singing busker for contraventions of the City of North Vancouver’s noise bylaw.  The Petitioner, Megan Regehr, is a singer known as “Babe Coal” who performs in a North Vancouver civic […]
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Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

Written by: Ryan Bortolin

May 5, 2014Legal Updates
The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act has been introduced in the Legislature.  When it receives Royal Assent, the Act will impact the manner in which candidates record and report their election expenses.  It will also create new reporting requirements for sponsors of election advertising, and give increased powers to BC Elections to monitor and enforce […]
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Greater Vancouver Regional District v. Township of Langley and Wall GVRD v. Langley (Township) and Hendricks: Regional Growth Strategies – Just Wishful Thinking?

Written by: Colin Stewart

May 5, 2014Legal Updates
Two recent decisions of the BC Supreme Court have raised questions about the purpose and effect of regional growth strategies and the extent to which they actually will serve as a legally enforceable framework for regional planning goals in the face of municipal decision-making.
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