How a Metropolitan Mindset Can Inspire Collaborative Solutions to the Housing Crisis

On November 25, BCLI staff attended Metropolitan Mindset: How Regional Governments Can Help Solve the Housing Crisis, at the Peter A. Allard School of Law. The event was hosted by the Housing Research Collaborative and featured a panel conversation with: The Metropolitan Mindset The event explored Don Iveson’s and Gabriel Eidelman’s publication “Toward the Metropolitan Mindset: A Playbook for Stronger Cities in Canada”. The metropolitan mindset asks us to understand, plan and govern cities as Read more…

First Draft of the Renovate the Public Hearing Project Final Report Discussed

BCLI’s Renovate the Public Hearing Project Committee met on November 15 to discuss the first draft of the final report following the conclusion of the public consultation. During the meeting, the Committee focused on discussing the current place of public hearings in light of government reform. Last year, amendments to the Local Government Act no longer permitted local governments to hold public hearings where (1) a proposed zoning bylaw permits residential development that is consistent Read more…

BCLI Pension Division Report Recommendations Implemented

In 2021, we published a report on pension division after the breakdown of a relationship. This report, created with the assistance of an expert project committee, recommended changes to part 6 of the Family Law Act and the Division of Pension Regulations. In 2023, the Family Law Amendment Act, 2023 was passed, which implemented our recommended reforms to part 6. Now, earlier this month, an order in council was promulgated which further advances our recommendations Read more…

Ensuring Equitable Parentage: Proposed Reforms for Part 3 of the Family Law Act

In July 2024, We released a report with recommendations for reforming Part 3 of the Family Law Act, which outlines the legal framework for parentage in British Columbia. Parentage plays a crucial role in establishing a child’s identity, including family name, relationships, nationality, and cultural heritage. It also determines important legal rights and responsibilities, such as inheritance rights. The report examines how the rules have been working in practice, with the goal of modernizing the Read more…

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Advancing Social Justice: Recent Legislative Acts Passed in B.C.

The B.C. Legislative Assembly recently passed 27 bills, including 17 amendments to existing acts and 10 new acts. Highlighted in this post are acts that address social justice issues with the goal of improving life for B.C. residents.  Tackling inflating housing costs  What: Bill 15, informally known as the “Home Flipping Act,” creates a 20% tax rate on residential properties if they are sold within one year of purchase. Over time the tax rate will Read more…