Recent Publications
2022
Works & Services Agreements, Latecomer Agreements and Local Area Services
One of the most important purposes of local governments is to provide services for the benefit of the community. This core purpose is...
2021
Local Governments Get Ability To Regulate Single-use Plastics
On July 26, 2021, the Province made Ministerial Order No. M309, which amends the Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment and...
2020
Municipal and Provincial Conflicts: Inconsistency or Concurrent Authority?
How far can a local government go before it intrudes on the Province’s jurisdiction? This session delves into the often-litigated and...
2020
Vavilov: Is it Good for Local Governments?
Russian spies, citizenship revocation, and the illegals program are topics that this session does not cover. Instead, it deals with the...
2020
Province Announces Municipal Financing and Tax Collection Measures in Response to Covid-19 Pandemic
On May 15, 2020, the Province issued Ministerial Order 0159 to assist local governments and ratepayers who may be facing financial...
2020
COVID-19 - Provincial Options For Modifying Meeting Rules
Pandemics and the need for “social distancing” were not at top of mind when the meeting rules in the Local Government Act and Community...
2019
A Defence of Community Amenity Contributions
During my sabbatical earlier this year I wrote a paper on community amenity contributions (“CACs”). I got a little carried away and the...
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...
2017
Tendering Law Update
Tendering is perhaps the most common method used by local governments to procure works and services. Unfortunately for local governments,...
2016
SCC Confirms Exclusive Federal Authority to Regulate Location of Radiocommunication Antenna Systems
The Supreme Court of Canada has given judgment in Rogers Communications Inc. v. Chateauguay (City), 2016 SCC 23, holding that the City...
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
The Tsilhqot'in Nation and Whistler Cases: What Do They Mean for Local Government
This paper deals with the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent landmark decision in the Tsilhqot’in v. British Columbia, the first case in...
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...
2014
Newsletter Volume 25, Number 1
In this Issue:Do you have a Licence for That? Local Government Response to the Decriminalization of Prostitution - Jay...
2013
Water Law 101
This paper deals mainly with the difficult question of private ownership of water bodies, while touching briefly on common law rights...
2013
Newsletter Volume 24 Number 1
In this Issue: A Look Back at 2012 - Francesca MarzariCourt of Appeal Rejects Local Government Duty to Consult First Nation - Reece...
2012
Court of Appeal Confirms Adequacy of Consultation Regarding North Cowichan Water Project
Note: SCC Refuses Leave to Appeal in Halalt Case. For more details see our July 11, 2013 Blog:...
2012
Court of Appeal Rejects Local Government Duty to Consult First Nations
On September 24, 2012 the British Columbia Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the Neskonlith Indian Band. The NIB had sought to...
2012
Local Government Duty to Consult - Case Reserved
On August 15, 2012, our British Columbia Court of Appeal reserved its decision in Neskonlith Indian Band v. City of Salmon Arm. This appeal...
2009
Newsletter Volume 20 Number 4
In this Issue: City breaches land use contract, Post-hearing information sinks bylaw, Hornby Island claims rejected, Burnaby licence...
2009
Reducing Liability in Tendering: An Update
The firm’s 2001 seminar included a presentation entitled "Reducing Liability in Tendering". The paper upon which that presentation was...
2008
Newsletter Volume 19 Number 4
In this Issue: Development permits - possibilities and limitations, Court upholds Metro Vancouver air quality controls, Mobile home park...