Recent Publications
2023
Newsletter Volume 34, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA conference issue: Artificial General (Municipal) Intelligence: Not Quite Yet - Nick FalzonBC Financial Services Authority...
2023
Newsletter Volume 34, Number 1
In this issue:Best Practices for C2C Meetings - Amy O'Connor Riparian Area Protection Powers Rolled Back by the Court of Appeal - Bill...
2022
Caselaw Update
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Redmond v. Wiebe was the first occasion for that court to consider the scope of the comparator group...
2022
Newsletter Volume 33, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA conference issue:Recitals ≠ Reasons - Barry WilliamsonBuilding Permit Requires Tenant in Common's Consent - Elizabeth...
2021
Vavilov Update
Last seminar we discussed Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65 in detail, where the Supreme Court of...
2021
Supreme Court Attempts to Clarify Policy/Operational Analysis
The Supreme Court of Canada has released its highly anticipated reasons for judgement in Nelson (City) v. Marchi. The Marchi case stems...
2021
Newsletter Volume 32, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA conference issue:WHADDAYAMEAN? - A Ramble Through the BC Interpretation Act - Bill BuholzerCourts Confirm Local Government...
2021
Newsletter Volume 32, Number 1
In this issue: Is our New "Home Office" a Zoning Contravention - Guy PattersonMunicipal Employers Should be Cautious if Considering...
2020
How are the Courts Approaching the Duty of Care in Negligence Claims Against Local Governments?
Recent decisions indicate that the courts are more reserved in their approach to the question of whether local governments owe a duty of...
2020
Newsletter Volume 31, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA conference issue:BC Court of Appeal Upholds Whistler Tourist Accommodation Bylaws - Alyssa BradleyContractual Obligations and...
2020
Province suspends limitation periods for court actions and more
In the latest response to legal implications of the pandemic emergency, the BC government has suspended all limitation periods for court...
2019
Newsletter Volume 30, Number 1
In this issue:Wu v. Vancouver: When Making Permitting Decisions, Slow Doesn't Equal Negligent - Guy PattersonCourt Upholds Increased Fee...
2018
Business Regulation: How Far Can You Go?
In 1994 in a case that raised the scope of the municipal power to regulate businesses under the Municipal Act, Madam Justice Southin put...
2018
Newsletter Volume 29, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issue: Municipal Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Upheld by Court - Sabrina Spencer Let's Remake a Deal: New Law...
2018
Newsletter Volume 29, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA Conference issue: Missed by a Milestone: Damages Award Against City Upheld in Tendering Case - Joe Scafe BC New...
2018
Newsletter Volume 29, Number 1
In this Issue: Supreme Court of Canada Expands Protection Against Discrimination in the Employment Context - Carolyn MacEachern...
2017
Dealing with Aggressive Members of the Public
Aggression / n. 1. the act or practice of attacking without provocation, esp. beginning a quarrel or war. 2. an unprovoked attack. 3....
2017
Newsletter Volume 28, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA Conference issue: Going Green: A First Look at Canada's Proposed Cannabis Act - Elizabeth Anderson The Perils of...
2016
Newsletter Volume 27, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA Conference issue: Win for North Saanich on Ability to Tax Nav Canada for Airport Lands is a Win for All Local Governments...
2016
Newsletter Volume 27, Number 1
In this Issue: Edmonton's Uber-Friendly Bylaw - Michael Moll Reminder: Judgements on Title Must be Renewed Every 2 Years - Don...
2015
Hot Topics & Caselaw Updates
The year 2015 has seen developments in many areas of interest to local governments, both in the courts and in the realm of shifting...
2015
Newsletter Volume 26, Number 1
In this Issue: Municipal Zoning Restrictions Apply to Moorage and Public Interest Special Cost Awards Limited - Barry Williamson CPR...
2014
Newsletter Volume 25, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issue: Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia: Aboriginal Title Proven in British Columbia - Gregg Cockrill BC...
2013
Controlling Councillor Conduct
This paper will consider the power to, and the processes by which a council may address the misconduct of one of its members. After...
2013
Newsletter Volume 24, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issue:BCSC Upholds Local Government Authority to Regulate Long-Term Moorage - Barry WilliamsonCourt Confirms...
2013
Newsletter Volume 24, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA Conference issue:Medical Marihuana: Health Canada Hits Reset Button - Bill BuholzerThe Perils of Independent Contractor...
2011
Injurious Affection and Highway Projects
The Court of Appeal’s recent decision in Susan Heyes Inc. dba Hazel & Co. v. Vancouver (City) 2011 BCCA 77 may have relieved some of...
2011
Newsletter Volume 22, Number 2 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference Issue: Some Observations on the Municipal Auditor General, Provincial Consultation Requirements “Aspirational”,...
2011
Councillor Convicted for Disclosure of Personal Information
In a May 24, 2011 Provincial Court decision in R. v. Skakun a Prince George councillor was found guilty of breaching section 30.4 of the...
2011
Newsletter Volume 22, Number 1 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA Conference Issue: How much is that doggie in the window? He’s not for sale anymore, Between a rock and a hard place: Court...
2010
Newsletter Volume 21, Number 2
In this Issue: Court OKs process for Surrey civic centre expropriation, What's the big deal about Arkinstall? (Or how to stop worrying...
2009
Recent Decisions of Courts
Virdis v. North Vancouver (City) 2009 BCSC 1118 This challenge to an OCP amending bylaw dealt with whether the rather distinctive...
2008
Recent Decisions of the Courts
Martin v. Vancouver (City) 2008 BCCA 197 This was the first judicial decision to consider the power of a BC municipal council to...