2019

Extensive amendments to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”) and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”) coming into force on November 1, 2019 through Bill C-97 will have a significant effect on certain aspects of insolvency proceedings commenced after that date. The wide-ranging revisions to both the BIA and CCAA will likely foster changes to the currently existing insolvency and restructuring practice in Canada.

The BC government proposes sweeping changes to the Securities Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”), which will allow the British Columbia Securities Commission (“BCSC”) to better address white collar investment crime. Proposed through Bill 33 Securities Amendment Act, 2019, the amendments will provide the BCSC with some of the strongest powers in Canada to protect investors and enforce sanctions. These are the first major revisions to the legislation in almost a decade.

Bill 41 requires the government, among other things, to take all necessary measures to ensure provincial laws are consistent with UNDRIP. The Bill also states that "Nothing in this Act is to be construed as delaying the application of the Declaration to the laws of British Columbia." 

CBABC congratulates the BC Legislature on unanimously passing Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act.

Anne Rowles, a judge on B.C.’s highest court for 20 years and known as a scholar and mentor, died Wednesday at the age of 78 following a lengthy illness.

The Bencher election results for the two-year term from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 are now available: four Benchers were elected for the first time (one by acclamation) and 18 were re-elected (four by acclamation).

"A pioneer in law for women, Marlene [Scott, QC] became the first woman in Canada to serve as a head of a provincial Bar Association when she became president of the BC branch in 1980. In 1981, she was the second woman to receive a QC. She then became chair of the BC Law Foundation in 1986. In 1994, Marlene received the prestigious George Goyer Award for her contributions to the legal profession."

CBABC congratulates Vancouver lawyer Robert Brun, QC as the 2019 recipient of the Georges A. Goyer QC Memorial Award for Distinguished Service. CBABC presented the award last evening during the BC legal community’s annual Bench & Bar Dinner.

B.C.’s family court system is proposing a major transformation and British Columbians are encouraged to have their voices heard as part of the process.

Each clinic will receive up to $250K in government funding to hire lawyers and legal staff