Recent Publications
2025
Newsletter Volume 36 Number 1
In this issue:Arbitrator Awards Union $30,000 for District's Discrimination Against Union President, Interference in the Administration of...
2024
FOI: From Start To Finish
One of the realities of being part of a local government is that your communications and work products, from the reports you read and write...
2024
Newsletter Volume 35, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issueLiability in the Era of Privacy Breaches and Cyberattacks: James Barth & Aishling CarsonProcurement &...
2024
Court of Appeal finds claims of violation of privacy and negligence arguable in the wake of privacy breach
In the recent decision G.D. v. South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, 2024 BCCA 252 (“GD v. Translink”) the British...
2024
Newsletter Volume 35, Number 2 - LGMA Conference Issue
In this LGMA conference issue:Bill 16 - Part One: An Overview of Tenant Protections - Christopher Gallardo Ganaban & Eman JeddyBill 16...
2024
Newsletter Volume 35, Number 1
In this issue: BC Court of Appeal Clarifies Law of Confidentiality and Indemnification - Sukh Manhas & Nick FalzonEmergency and...
2023
New Legislative Changes Require Local Governments to have Reasonable Alternative Shelter Available Before Enforcing Bylaw on Encampment Residents
A number of major legislative changes for local governments received royal assent on November 30th 2023. The most prominent changes are...
2023
FOI & Privacy Law Update
The legal landscape around freedom of information (“FOI”) and privacy in British Columbia was altered significantly in late 2021. The...
2023
Newsletter Volume 34, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issue: Delegations to Council - A Charter Right - Bill BuholzerThe Growing World of First Nations Heritage...
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
Local Governments Wearing Two Hats: What are the Legal Issues?
Local governments have a vast plethora of roles, obligations, and functions to play – as anyone working in local government is all too...
2022
Elections Questions? Call us - our E-Team is ready!
In order to assist with the upcoming local government elections, we have a designated team of lawyers to respond to your elections related...
2022
Ontario Court of Appeal Finds that an Employer Accessing Employees’ Private Conversation Open on Work Device is a Breach of the Employees’ Privacy Rights
In the recent decision Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario v. York Region District School Board, 2022 ONCA 476, the Court of Appeal...
2022
Newsletter Volume 33, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issue: City of Vancouver Cannot Control Rent by By-law, BC Supreme Court Finds - Elizabeth Anderson & Nick...
2022
BC Supreme Court Finds ICBC Vicariously Liable for its Employee’s Breach of the Privacy Act
A recent British Columbia Supreme Court decision has opened possible new areas of liability for public bodies whose employees breach...
2022
Elections Questions? Our E-Team Is Ready for Your Call
In order to assist with the upcoming local government elections, we have a designated team of lawyers to respond to your elections related...
2022
BC Court of Appeal Affirms Distinction Between Employees and Independent Contractors Under the Employment Standards Act
In the recent decision Beach Place Ventures Ltd. v. Employment Standards Tribunal, 2022 BCCA 147, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia...
2022
Province Lifts Mask Mandate
The Provincial Health Officer announced on March 10, 2022 that the requirement to wear masks in indoor public spaces would be lifted. As...
2022
Newsletter Volume 33, Number 1
In this issue: Let's Talk About Tax Sales - Michael Moll & Elizabeth AndersonRecent Decisions on Employers COVID-19 Vaccination...
2022
Further Amendments to Local Government Legislation Now in Effect
In a previous bulletin we reviewed legislative changes to be introduced by the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2021 (the...
2022
Province Lifts Majority of COVID-19 Restrictions
The Provincial Health Officer announced the easing of COVID-19 safety measures in BC effective February 17, 2022. While the written orders...
2021
Update on Significant Amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Significant changes to British Columbia’s freedom of information and privacy law came into force on November 25, 2021. As our previous...
2021
What’s New in the World of Freedom of Information?
The law and procedure surrounding freedom of information (“FOI”) is in a constant state of flux. Its state of play continues to be altered...
2021
Significant Amendments to Local Government Legislation Proposed in Bill 26
The provincial legislature tabled Bill 26 – Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2021 on October 26, 2021. The proposed...
2021
Timeline for Upcoming Changes to Electronic Meetings
Next week, two important dates will come up for local governments in relation to the holding of meetings through electronic means. On...
2021
Newsletter Volume 32, Number 3 - UBCM Conference Issue
In this UBCM Conference issue:Conflict of Interest or Community of Interest? Court Interprets the "Electors Generally" Exception - Julia...