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...
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
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...
2021
Caselaw Update
This paper examines 4 recent court decisions of particular interest to local government: (i) a Supreme Court of Canada decision on snow...
2020
Local Government Assistance
COVID-19 has placed unprecedented pressure on business. As a consequence, businesses have approached local governments for accommodations...
2020
Governance: Conflicts, Codes of Conduct, and Beyond
This session will first delve into council and board member ethical obligations under the Community Charter, with a focus on conflicts of...
2020
Province Narrows Previous Relaxations To Local Government Meeting Requirements
On June 17, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General made Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process (COVID-19) Order No....
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
Electronic Public Hearings, The Islands Trust and Improvement Districts
On May 1, 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued Ministerial Order M139...
2020
Relaxation Of Meeting Rules During COVID-19 Pandemic
Today the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General made three orders under section 10 of the Emergency Program Act that affect local...
2019
Beyond Zoning: PDAs, DPs, Covenants ... And More
To adopt, or not to adopt, that is the question faced by a municipal council member in deciding whether to rezone land. The choice is...
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
All You Need to Know About Parks
When strolling through a beautiful BC park on a Sunday walk, one frequently ponders the nature of the park, articulating fascinating and...
2018
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...
2017
Strata Property: A Primer for Local Goverments
Subdivision by way of strata plan is becoming more common each year as developers seek to capitalize on sale of land that is smaller than...
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...
2017
Newsletter Volume 28, Number 1
In this Issue: Settlement Records Protected from Disclosure in British Columbia - Francesca Marzari Top Ten Tips for Municipalities as...
2016
Managing the Market: The Affordable Housing Toolkit
This paper examines some of the local government powers available to address affordable housing issues in British Columbia. The first...
2015
Conflict of Interest
It is the summer of 1893, Judge Walkem of the British Columbia Supreme Court has ordered that the City of Victoria be prohibited from...
2014
Caselaw Update
This paper summarizes some of the cases of interest from the past 12 months. This paper does not include any comments on the recent,...
2012
Agreements; The Top 10 List
This paper contains, with no attempt at “Lettermanesque” humour, a “top 10” list of points for consideration with respect to local...
2011
Local Government Procurement: Beyond "Contract A"
Most local government officials dealing with procurement matters have at least some familiarity with ‘Contract A’. It is also well...
2011
Election Contact Information
We confirm that our lawyers will be available throughout election day on Saturday, November 19 to deal with your election questions.
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
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
Local Governments and Carbon Offsets
"Allowance units", "compliance units", "emission reduction units", "carbon neutrality", "carbon offsets"...What are these terms and...
2009
The Basics of Expropriation
How does a local government take land without the consent of the owner of the land? This paper outlines, in very general terms, the...
2008
Assistance
Local governments are subject to various rules and restrictions regarding their ability to provide financial assistance to other persons,...