Legislative Updates

The Province of British Columbia has announced a day of court closure and reflective holiday for public service employees on October 2, in lieu of the observation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept 30.

The Province of British Columbia has tabled legislation aimed at protecting against non-consensual disclosure of intimate images and improving access to justice for survivors of sexualized violence. The Intimate Images Protection Act had its first reading on March 6, 2023.

The provincial government introduced Bill 2, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Act on February 7, 2023. The Act will recognise National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a public holiday in B.C.

The provincial government has amended the Government Body Designation (Public Interest Disclosure) Regulation under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, expanding protection by 39 more public-sector organizations.

The Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act, Bill 38, was passed as of November 24, 2022. The Act is historic, with the largest amendments in 25 years, and amends the Adoption act and Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA). 

By Order in Council 559/2022, the BC government has announced that the Provincial Court Child, Family and Community Service Act Rules will be amended on December 19, 2022.

In January 2023, the provincial government will implement changes to the Property Law Act to make the Home Buyer Rescission Period, commonly referred to as the ‘cooling-off period’, mandatory for residential real estate transactions. These amendments are intended to protect homebuyers.

On October 26, the provincial government introduced Bill 38, the Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act. The Bill proposes amendments to the Adoption Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

On June 27, 2022, the provincial government issued an Order in Council confirming amendments made to the Supreme Court Civil Rule dealing with probate and administration. These changes came into effect October 3, 2022, and reflect changes to the Wills, Estates and Succession Act.

Bill 27 - Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2) 2022, was introduced in the legislative assembly on Oct. 3. CBABC advocated for these changes to increasing access to justice by making electronic witnessing of enduring powers of attorney and representation agreements permanent.