2024

Article by Robert O. Hansen, Fraser Bourne, Louis-Charles Filiatrault - McCarthy Tétrault LLP

“Today we are pleased to see the BC government take this important step forward by endorsing a First Nations Justice Strategy that advances many of CBABC’s recommendations.” - Ken Armstrong, CBABC President

“In an effort to resolve ICBC’s financial problems, the BC government is shifting the financial burden to BC residents and creating an access to justice issue for injured people who cannot afford to present their case with these restrictions in place.” Ken Armstrong, CBABC President 2019/20

CBABC recognizes the investments the BC government has made to legal aid services over the past year, but renews their call for additional funding for family law legal aid.

The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC) is deeply disappointed in the announcement made today by Premier John Horgan and Attorney General David Eby to introduce a “no-fault” insurance plan to address ICBC’s ongoing financial problems.

Extensive amendments to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (“BIA”) and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”) coming into force on November 1, 2019 through Bill C-97 will have a significant effect on certain aspects of insolvency proceedings commenced after that date. The wide-ranging revisions to both the BIA and CCAA will likely foster changes to the currently existing insolvency and restructuring practice in Canada.

The BC government proposes sweeping changes to the Securities Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”), which will allow the British Columbia Securities Commission (“BCSC”) to better address white collar investment crime. Proposed through Bill 33 Securities Amendment Act, 2019, the amendments will provide the BCSC with some of the strongest powers in Canada to protect investors and enforce sanctions. These are the first major revisions to the legislation in almost a decade.

Bill 41 requires the government, among other things, to take all necessary measures to ensure provincial laws are consistent with UNDRIP. The Bill also states that "Nothing in this Act is to be construed as delaying the application of the Declaration to the laws of British Columbia." 

CBABC congratulates the BC Legislature on unanimously passing Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples act.

CBABC congratulates Vancouver lawyer Robert Brun, QC as the 2019 recipient of the Georges A. Goyer QC Memorial Award for Distinguished Service. CBABC presented the award last evening during the BC legal community’s annual Bench & Bar Dinner.