The British Columbia government and Airbnb have reached an arrangement allowing the online company to collect provincial sales taxes on all short-term rentals conducted through its platform — a move that will help fund housing affordability measures for British Columbians …
News
Province names Labour Relations Code review panel members
A committee of special advisers is being appointed to review the Labour Relations Code to ensure British Columbia’s unionized workplaces support fair laws for workers and businesses, and are consistent with the labour rights and protections enjoyed by other Canadians. …
Government directs changes to make ICBC work for B.C. drivers again
The British Columbia government is directing changes for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) to bring about an end to its financial crisis, while keeping rates affordable for B.C. drivers, Attorney General David Eby announced. “ICBC was created to …
First innovation commissioner to champion B.C.’s tech sector
British Columbia’s thriving tech sector will have a new voice in Ottawa and abroad, following Alan Winter’s appointment as the province’s first innovation commissioner. “We’re thrilled to have Alan Winter take on this newly created role of innovation commissioner, and …
Cannabis retail, driving laws amongst new firm-on-safety policy decisions
As was announced in December 2017, government is releasing details on the Province’s proposed retail framework. British Columbians of legal age will be able to purchase non-medical cannabis through privately run retail stores or government-operated retail stores and government online …
Liquor Distribution Branch begins preparing for retail and online non-medical cannabis sales
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is aiming to open the first government-operated non-medical cannabis retail store by late summer, and has begun exploring an e-commerce model to offer online sales to the public. This follows the announcement by the …
B.C. communities hardest hit by overdose crisis supported through community action teams, funding
Eighteen B.C. communities hardest hit by the overdose crisis are the first to get the support of on-the-ground community action teams (CAT) and dedicated funding as part of government’s escalated response to the overdose crisis. “This bold, new approach is …
Additional measures being developed to protect B.C.’s environment from spills
The provincial government is proposing a second phase of regulations to improve preparedness, response and recovery from potential spills. The first phase of the regulations, approved in October 2017, established a standard of preparedness, response and recovery necessary to protect …
Statement on Generics 2.0: Reduced generic drug pricing
Health Minister Adrian Dix has issued the following statement regarding Generics 2.0: Reduced generic drug pricing: “British Columbia is a proud member of the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance and held a leading role in negotiating reduced national drug pricing that led to …
Open letter regarding Site C
Since our government’s decision to complete construction, I have received many emails and calls from constituents and friends who are disappointed and upset with this outcome. Having been personally critical of the project for years, the past few weeks have …