2024

In the budget released on March 20th, 2017, the federal government announced its intention to introduce amendments to the proceeds of crime legislation (the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, or “PCMLTFA”)

If there is one area of law that seems to be the least understood among members of the profession, it is financial crime. Financial crime involves, among other things, money laundering, terrorist financing, tax evasion, insider trading, corruption, illegal gambling, drug trafficking and prostitution. We call these financial crimes because of the financial transactions associated with the criminal activity.

The CBABC invites British Columbians to be a part of Law Week 2017 for province-wide celebrations including free public law classes, courthouse tours, mock trials and legal advice from lawyers volunteering their time.

“Our colleagues at the Law Society of BC have offered a wise reminder that all British Columbians must have equal access to the justice system,” said Michael Welsh, CBABC president. “The challenge has been a lack of investment in legal aid to assist those who cannot afford legal services when they need them.”

CBABC acknowledges some steps the BC Government has taken in improving access to justice for British Columbians but calls for further investment.

A series of videos from the December 13, 2016 event.

An Agenda for Justice has been prepared in advance of BC’s provincial election to inspire public discussion of vital justice issues. The document offers a series of recommendations and reforms to increase the justice system’s effectiveness and to improve BC laws.

A proposed class action was filed a mere six weeks after the British Columbia government introduced amendments to the Property Transfer Tax Act to impose an additional 15% tax on the purchase of residential property by foreigners in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (the “Foreign Buyer Property Tax”).

A previous version of this article appeared in the McMillan LLP Commercial Real Estate Bulletin

On October 3, 2016, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced changes which will affect trusts and non-residents owning residential property in an effort to ensure "housing markets are stable and functioning efficiently."