On Oct. 23, Bill 4, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, was introduced in the legislature by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Suzanne Anton.
If passed, the amendments will affect the following provincial statutes:
Agricultural Land Commission Act
The amendments clarify that, consistent with long-standing policy, local governments and First Nations may not prohibit certain farm uses on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve in their communities.
The amendments also address inconsistencies between the act and the Administrative Tribunals Act regarding consultations with the chair on panel appointments, and eliminate the possibility of decisions being stalled by a tied vote in the case of two-person panels.
Gaming Control Act
The proposed amendment to section 69 of the Gaming Control Act will provide greater clarity around enforcement actions that the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch may take against gaming service providers and gaming workers who violate the conditions of their registration under the act.
The amendment will also make it clear that enforcement actions may be taken in relation to a gaming service provider or gaming worker as well as one or more gaming premises of a gaming service provider or gaming worker.
Mines Act
This legislative amendment to the Mines Act will ensure there is more time available, if required, to conduct thorough investigations into offences under the act and for a decision by Crown counsel on whether to pursue charges.
Currently, the province has six months to one year to pursue charges for offences committed under the act, depending on the nature of the offence. The amendment will increase this limit to three years from when the Chief Inspector of Mines first learns of the incident, aligning with other natural resource legislation, such as the Forest and Range Practices Act and Environmental Management Act.
Police Act
This proposed amendment is in response to recommendations made by the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry regarding co-ordination of policing across multiple jurisdictions.
This amendment would clarify government’s authority to sustain and expand integrated policing teams and other specific, specialized policing services. This will strengthen government’s ability to ensure an adequate, effective level of policing is maintained throughout British Columbia.
Statute Revision Act
Every year, government is made aware of small errors – such as spelling errors – that are in various pieces of legislation and as an interim fix, corrections are made by regulation.
The changes reflected in the regulations are being put before the legislature to be finalized.
Vancouver Island Natural Gas Pipeline Act
Two sections are being repealed to help municipalities served by the Vancouver Island Natural Gas Pipeline improve natural gas service in their communities.
A section of the act that prevents local governments from collecting franchise fees will be removed effective Jan. 1, 2015. These fees, typically three per cent of the utility bill, provide the municipality with the funds needed to cover costs associated with having natural-gas utility system infrastructure operating in their community.
A second expired provision has been removed.
