Articles related to provincial and federal legislation that affects local governments.
The Province has developed new guidance for emergency management partners, including local governments, related to engagement responsibilities included in the Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA). The guidance will be updated annually, and as new tools and regulations associated with the EDMA come into effect.
This document includes the following information:
The federal government has approved the Province of BC’s request to further control consumption of illicit drugs in public spaces. The change took place immediately as of May 7, 2024. Possession of small amounts of illicit drugs is still permitted.
The Province has introduced new legislation to address some issues created by pre-zoning large areas of BC communities for increased density. The new legislation addresses: inclusionary zoning; updates to the density bonus framework; providing local government with expanded authority to require site-specific works and services, and transportation demand management measures; and tenant protection bylaws.
Last week, the Province introduced a series of amendments to the Police Act, including changes to police governance and oversight that will impact police boards and municipalities. The Province has advised that these amendments represent phase one of a multi-phase process to review and reform BC’s policing legislation. Phase one, incorporating provincial priorities, is highlighted in this article.
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is evaluating the implementation of the decriminalization policy. Elected officials and senior local government staff who can speak on behalf of their local government are invited to provide feedback by March 15 about the implementation of the decriminalization policy from a local government perspective.
Three local government lawyers took a deep dive into Bills 44, 46 and 47 in the Recent Housing Legislation to provide greater clarity and answer questions around new local government obligations with respect to small scale multi-unit housing, new amenity contribution agreements (ACCs) and transit-oriented development.
A panel of planners and a representative from the Ministry of Housing gathered at the Housing Summit 2024 to discuss development finance changes stemming from legislation passed in the fall. Bill 46 specifically changes the framework for development and amenity charges, but is in context of several other housing-related bills that shift the way local governments plan for housing.
The provincial government is proposing amendments to the Land Act to enable shared decision making with Indigenous Governing Bodies, in keeping with Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) agreements. UBCM met with provincial staff last week and requested the Province hold an engagement session for local governments to learn more about these amendments. This is being held February 21, and written feedback can be submitted to the Province until March 31.
As BC’s decriminalization pilot project reaches the end of its first year, local governments continue to support this initiative as one tool to address the toxic drug crisis. However, recent developments in BC courts leave local governments unclear where public use of illicit drugs will be allowed.
The Province is hosting a series of webinars for local government staff to support implementation of Bills 44 (small scale multi-unit housing, planning reforms), 46 (development finance), and 47 (transit-oriented areas). Each webinar will include a presentation of technical details and legislative requirements and provide an opportunity to ask questions of subject matter experts.