Opening Prayers at Municipal Council Meetings Violates Freedom of Religion
May 8, 2015Legal Updates
The Supreme Court of Canada recently made national headlines with its decision in the case of Mouvement laïque québécois v. Saguenay (City) 2015 SCC 16. The decision affirms the requirement for state neutrality in matters of religious belief. As a result, it seems there is no place for prayers or other forms of religious observance […]
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Court Approves TLC Restructuring
May 5, 2015Legal Updates
Financially troubled land conservation organization TLC The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (“TLC”) recently took a significant step forward in its restructuring efforts under the provisions of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “CCAA”). With the overwhelming support of its creditors, both secured and unsecured, TLC brought forward for approval of the British Columbia Supreme […]
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Bill 24 Modernizes Societies Legislation
April 15, 2015Legal Updates
Bill 24-2015, the Societies Act, has been given First Reading in the Legislature. This Bill repeals the current Society Act, enacted in 1977, replacing it with something akin to a scaled back and simplified version of the BC Business Corporations Act. Local governments may interact with incorporated societies in a number of ways, including as […]
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Case Law Update – Bradshaw v. Victoria (City)
April 13, 2015Legal Updates
In an October 2013 post, we reported on the Supreme Court of British Columbia decision in Bradshaw v. Victoria (City). In reasons for judgment released January 7, 2015, the Court of Appeal dismissed Mr. Bradshaw’s appeal and for the most part approved the reasons of the chambers judge. For the facts of the case, please […]
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Bill 27 – A New Liquor Control and Licensing Act
April 10, 2015Legal Updates
The ongoing changes to British Columbia’s liquor laws are continuing with the introduction in the Legislature of Bill 27 – the “Liquor Control and Licensing Act” – which if passed will replace the current statute of the same name.
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Building Act Receives Royal Assent
March 27, 2015Legal Updates
As an update to our March 9 post about Bill 3, we note that the Building Act received Royal Assent on March 25, 2015.
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Bill 19 – Small Claims Court Goes Digital with the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act
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
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
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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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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