Submissions and Legislative Updates

The B.C. government has implemented treaty commitments from the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement, Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement and Tla’amin Nation Final Agreement to recognize Treaty First Nation laws in the B.C. Provincial Court.

Update: CBABC recommendations incorporated into new BCLI report on artificial intelligence and civil liability

Updated with responses from the Chiefs of all three B.C. courts.

On January 12, CBABC delivered a letter to the Attorney General highlighting concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed legislation for a single regulator for lawyers, notaries and paralegals. 

CBABC has delivered a submission to the Ministry of Citizens’ Services to endorse the Creating Safety in BC Courts Report by Rise Women’s Legal Centre.

On June 23, CBABC delivered a submission to the Ministry of Attorney General recommending a more intentional approach to the design of virtual courtrooms.  

CBABC has delivered a submission to the Supreme Court of British Columbia requesting a return to virtual Chambers hearings for short matters in civil and family law proceedings with the ability to obtain in-person appearances where circumstances warrant.

In 2021, the Government formed a Special Committee to reform the Police Act. A public consultation was conducted and the final report of this Special Committee has now been published, along with recommendations for modernizing the legislation and policies around policing in BC.

In September, the Court Services Committee of CBABC made a submission to reform court scheduling entitled Modernizing the Supreme Court of British Columbia’s Scheduling System for Civil Matters. The Chief Justice of the BC Supreme Court has considered this submission and provided a letter in response.

Guided by members’ concerns and recommendations, CBABC prepared a written submission to the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Ministry of Attorney General with recommendations to improve efficiency of court scheduling and e-filing.