Legislation

The provincial government is changing the rules for electric vehicles wishing to access high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. These changes affect municipal roads with HOV lanes and could trigger the need for municipalities to update road signage.

Starting August 15, 2025, drivers of electric vehicles will no longer be required to display a decal to drive in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes when carrying less than the required number of passengers. Instead, electric vehicles can be driven in HOV lanes where signage allows it.

BC’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch is considering changes to two areas of cannabis regulation: market controls and sales at events. Local governments will have received a discussion paper from LCRB, with background information, questions for consideration and an invitation to schedule a meeting to discuss these issues by August 1, 2025.

UBCM has sought clarification from the Province on its position regarding the roles and responsibilities of local governments for financial assistance and property buyouts when homes are deemed unsafe due to disaster risk. 

UBCM has provided a submission to the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety in B.C. The submission outlines several issues for the Commission’s consideration as it examines measures respecting public security and safety at community events. The Commission was established on May 7, 2025, following the tragic events that took place during the April 26th Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. 

The Province is seeking stakeholder feedback regarding its ‘Liquor to Go’ policy, which allows certain businesses to sell liquor for off-site consumption with the purchase of a meal for takeout or delivery. Local governments are invited to provide their input on this policy by responding to a provincial engagement paper by August 7, 2025.

The Province’s review of its CleanBC climate action plan, launched in May, is seeking feedback from local governments and other interested parties.

The Province continues to expand the scope of application of the Housing Supply Act by assigning housing targets to additional municipalities while also escalating compliance efforts by issuing directives to those municipalities deemed by the Province to be making insufficient progress. 

The Province of BC has passed a private members bill (Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act) which removes the ability of members of the Legislative Assembly from holding a local elected office. The new legislation applies to a mayor or councillor in a municipality, electoral area directors in regional districts, local trust area trustees, school trustees and members of Vancouver’s park board.  

Last week mayors, chairs, elected chiefs and CAOs joined with Minister Bowinn Ma in a conference call regarding Bill 15, Infrastructure Projects Act. The call provided an opportunity for the Province to provide information about the Bill and respond to questions.