A major climb-down for the Liberal government today. Forests Minister Steve Thomson has deferred a plan to change forest tenure rules after criticism it would have benefitted large companies and amounted to a sweeping privatization of the land base. "That's simply one of the misperceptions that has been created out there in terms of that, … [Read more...]
Chief wants changes to rules of diplomatic immunity
December 12, 2012 by
Vancouver Police Department Chief Constable Jim Chu has put forward recommendations for the Police Board to change how the force deals with those protected by diplomatic immunity. The report states the VPD's existing policy is not in line with the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act, and that diplomatic immunity is greater … [Read more...]
Court rules in favour of unions over controversial hiring of Chinese miners
November 22, 2012 by
Two unions trying to block the hiring of Chinese workers for a new underground coal mine in northern B.C. have scored their first victory in federal court. Justice Douglas Campbell has ruled in favour of the unions, granting them permission to fight for access to records that let up to 300 Chinese nationals into Canada on temporary visas. Union … [Read more...]
B.C. breaking own rules on targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions: report
October 10, 2012 by
Plans to heavily increase natural gas production in B.C. are “far worse” than the impact of the proposed Northern Gateway oil pipeline. That’s according to Marc Lee, the author of a new study from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. "The government's argument that this is going to displace the use of coal in Asia … [Read more...]
Board of Trade says final transition rules for the return of the PST are still MIA
October 9, 2012 by
The return to the PST is just months away and the Surrey Board of Trade says businesses are still waiting for final transition rules from the province. CEO Anita Huberman says the rules need to come now, not later. "We have been waiting. We are having a PST educational transitional plan to educate our business community but these rules … [Read more...]
Restaurant advocate says industry caught off guard with new corkage rules; pubs exempt
July 22, 2012 by
The head of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association says he was surprised at the immediacy of new rules allowing people to bring their own wine to restaurants. Speaking on CKNW's The World Today Weekend, Ian Tostenson says he had assumed the change wouldn't be implemented for some time, so that’s why some eateries may appear to be … [Read more...]
Court rules on mediator in teachers’ dispute
June 29, 2012 by
It may well be a moot point now, but the BC Supreme Court has rejected a bid by the BC Teachers' Federation to fire mediator Charles Jago. This just days after Jago worked out a surprise contract agreement between the union and the government. The teachers' federation had argued Jago was not qualified for mediation and was too closely tied to the … [Read more...]
Strict drunk driving rules return
June 14, 2012 by
The BC government's tough roadside drunk driving rules will be back in force tomorrow for drivers who blow over point zero-five on a breathalyzer. The government was forced to make changes following a court challenge of the immediate roadside prohibition program. Now when drivers fail a breath test, they must be told they can blow a second time, … [Read more...]
SCOC rules warrantless wiretaps unconstitutional in Metro Van kidnapping case
April 13, 2012 by
Calling it "unconstitutional," the Supreme Court of Canada has struck down a law that allowed police to start wiretapping... without a warrant. The ruling stems from a 2006 Metro Vancouver case, in which six men were found guilty of kidnapping. A BC Supreme Court judge convicted the six, even though he agreed with a defence argument the wiretap … [Read more...]
