Category: Legislation
HST Information and Referendum Updates from BC Government
The BC government recently issued two news items of note about the HST. The HST Information Office launched a new HST website “designed to put more factual information on the HST in the hands of British Columbians” prior to the upcoming referendum. The government also appointed an… more »
BC Corporate Income Tax Rate Reduced Effective Jan. 1
The provincial corporate income tax rate was reduced from 10.5 per cent to 10 per cent, effective January 1, 2011, as noted in a Ministry of Finance news release. The reduction flows from the February 2009 budget, which “reduced the general corporate income tax rate to 10.5 per cent… more »
Implementation of BC Criminal Records Review Act Amendments Begins Jan 1
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General will begin implementation of amendments to the Criminal Records Review Act in the new year. The implementation of the amendments, which will make BC “the first province in Canada to require a thorough investigation of individuals working with vulnerable adults”,
Draft HST Referendum Question Text Released
Attorney General Michael de Jong, QC, recently announced that he has now received a draft version of the HST initiative question as prepared and delivered by Acting Chief Electoral Officer Craig James. The announcement recites the text of the question, which will be the subject of a vote… more »
Law Society Proposes Changes to Legal Profession Act
The Benchers of the Law Society of BC recently approved in principle a request for changes to the Legal Profession Act. According to the announcement of September 17, the purpose of the proposed changes is to “enhance the ability of the society to regulate in the public… more »
BC Legislation Tables of Contents Now on CanLII
CanLII reported on September 24 that automatically-generated Tables of Contents are now included for BC statute and regulation databases, along with those of Ontario and Quebec, and that the same soon will follow for other jurisdictions: Statutes and regulations from British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec have been republished… more »
AG Begins Final Limitations Act Reform Consultations
Last week the BC Attorney General announced the final round of consultations on limitations legislation reform with the issuance of a white paper inviting public comments. The current BC Limitation Act has not been changed substantially since its enactment in 1975, whereas other jurisdictions – Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and,… more »
New Impaired Driving Law Now in Effect
Earlier this summer we posted notice that Canada’s toughest drinking-and-driving penalties would soon come into effect in B.C. As of this past Monday, September 20, those penalties are now in place by way of Bill 14, amending the Motor Vehicle Act. Motorists now face progressively harsh penalties, depending… more »
Strengthened Impaired Driving Penalties to Take Effect in September
On September 20, B.C. will have what the government describes as “Canada’s toughest impaired driving penalties.” A news release from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General outlines some of the highlights of the new penalties: Drivers who provide a failing breath sample above 0.08 per cent… more »
CLEBC Releases Practice FAQ on HST and Legal Fees
The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC recently released HST Law Practice FAQ, a publication it prepared to clarify the rules applicable to PST and HST on legal fees. The Law Society summarizes the interaction among the GST, HST, and PST in the following news… more »
Ministry of Attorney General to Reform Family Legislation
A white paper released by the Ministry of the Attorney General on Monday, July 19th, following extensive reviews conducted about the current Family Relations Act, introduced draft legislation and policy proposals which aim at making major changes to family law in British Columbia. These proposed changes will modernize… more »
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) on New BC Rules at Courthouse Libraries
The Stream, the blog at Courthouse Libraries BC, has posted a list of frequent questions they’ve received on the new BC Supreme Court rules and forms. The post addresses five common questions ranging from where the new rules and forms can be found to retroactivity. The answers are thorough and rich with… more »
BC Supreme Court Issues New Practice Directions
Effective July 1, the B.C. Supreme Court issued a new collection of Practice Directions and Administrative Notices. The new collection was released to coincide with the new Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules, which came into effect the same day. In general, the new collection… more »
BC Legislation Roundup
Various bills received Royal Assent last week. Bill 10, the Veterinarians Act, repeals the old one and creates the College of Veterinarians. This body will effectively replace the former British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association. The role of the College will be to regulate the veterinary profession with powers… more »
New BC Civil Rules FAQ – Part 2 Released
Following up on Dye & Durham’s initial set of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the NEW Supreme Court Civil Rules, Part 2 of those FAQs have now been released.
The FAQs were developed in response to questions from participants in recent Dye & Durham Civil Rules webinars.
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About Dye & Durham
Founded in 1874, Dye & Durham Corporation (D&D) has been a reliable purveyor of timely and accurate information for well over a century. With a staffing complement of 150 and 5 locations, we are also the largest, most comprehensive provider of legal support services in British Columbia… more »