Legislative Updates

On July 18, 2022 the Court of Appeal Act, S.B.C. 2021, c. 6 will be brought into force along with new Court of Appeal Rules. The new rules clarify existing procedures, simplify language and make the appeals process more efficient.

On April 6 the government introduced Bill 10, the Labour Relations Code Amendment Act, 2022. The proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Code establish a single-step union certification system, enabling workers to join a union when a clear majority of employees indicate they want to.

The BC government has introduced Bill 24, the Anti-Racism Data Act as a first step to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous, Black and people of colour in BC. The new anti-racism legislation builds upon recommendations in the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s report, “The Grandmother Perspective” which were supported by CBABC in its submissions to Government.

The Government has released new directives for civil litigation involving Indigenous Peoples, in alignment with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. These directives will provide legislative tools and policies to support new approaches to disputes while avoiding costly, lengthy and adversarial litigation.

The Government has recently introduced legislation to allow amendments to the Mental Health Act. BC’s Mental Health Act allows people with a severe mental-health illness to be admitted and treated at designated mental-health facilities involuntarily for the person’s own protection, or the protection of others. The proposed amendments will ensure that people have access to an independent rights advisor to discuss their rights and options.

The Government has introduced a program that reviews eligible orders and written agreements for child support; this expansion follows a pilot program offered in Kelowna and changes to the Family Law Act have expanded that program. This free service will help BC families identify adjustments needed to child support.

On April 4, 2022, a number of amendments to the Supreme Court Civil Rules, B.C. Reg. 168/2009, and Supreme Court Family Rules, B.C. Reg. 160/2009, came into force.

Bill 12-2022 was introduced to amend the Property Law Act so that a purchaser may rescind a contract of purchase and sale by serving written notice to the seller within a prescribed number of days. Details will be determined in the regulations. The BC government says these amendments will protect homebuyers.