Legislation
Legislation that works for British Columbians
Making life better for people means making our laws work better for people. Strong laws are key to protecting our environment, making life fairer for families, and making sure that our economy works for everyone. We’re working every day to make our province a better place to live, work, and raise a family by making life more affordable, improving the services people count on, and creating good jobs in every part of the province.
Fall 2025 session
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More homes for people, clearer short-term rental rules
The proposed amendments would remove barriers to the development of small-scale multi-unit housing by clarifying where this type of housing must be allowed, and expand the kinds of provincial site standards that can be regulated, such as amount of buildable area on a lot, housing forms (like triplexes or rowhomes) and parking requirements.
Proposed amendments to the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act (STRAA) would also improving clarity for existing or prospective short-term rental (STR) hosts, offer new tools to further deter people from breaking STR rules, and make all sections of the Act available to Modern Treaty Nations, so that First Nations can apply the STRAA on their lands through a coordination agreement.
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New meeting rules will strengthen Indigenous, local government relations
The Province is proposing legislative amendments in response to local governments and First Nations wanting to make it easier to work together and better protect confidential and culturally sensitive information. The amendments to the Community Charter and Vancouver Charter would allow local governments to hold closed meetings when discussing culturally sensitive and confidential information shared by First Nations, and require meetings to be closed during negotiations with First Nations or other local governments.
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Stronger tools coming to protect people from credit fraud
Amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA), the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), and the Motor Dealer Act (MDA) will provide B.C. consumers with stronger tools to protect against credit-related fraud and to support confident financial decision-making.
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Holding vape manufacturers accountable for public health costs
The vaping product damages and health care costs recovery act would enable the provincial government to take legal action to protect public health and ensure accountability from wrongdoers whose products are associated with vaping-related disease and injury.
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Modernizing Access to B.C. Laws
The new Statutes Act and updated Regulations Act make online versions of laws official for legal use. People will now be able to use digital copies in court and other legal settings. The legislation improves access, clarity, and public confidence in justice.
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More kinds of child care at K-12 schools
The School Amendment Act, enables boards of education to provide child care on school grounds to children of all ages and during non-school days like pro-d days and seasonal breaks.
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Faster, fairer payments for B.C.’s construction industry
The proposed legislation will set clear timelines for payment on construction projects and create a quick, fair process to resolve disputes. This means workers can count on regular paycheques, small and family-run businesses will have more financial stability, and communities will benefit from projects that stay on track.
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Addressing sexual violence in post-secondary schools
The Act will increase accountability and transparency in annual reports, reduce barriers for people when making formal allegations of sexual violence and help support institutions to develop policies that are guided by a trauma-informed approach.
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More protections for victims of intimate image abuse
The Intimate Images Protection Statutes Amendment Act will allow an increase in the compensation people can seek when their intimate images are shared without their consent. The Act will also provide better privacy protections for victims as they navigate the justice process.
Spring 2025 session
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Delivering key infrastructure faster
The Infrastructure Projects Act will deliver key infrastructure faster and strengthen B.C.’s economy through uncertain times. The new legislation aims to speed up permitting and approvals for schools, hospitals, and other core infrastructure people need in their communities.
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Accelerating critical renewable energy projects
The Renewable Energy Projects Act will ensure rapid permitting and robust regulation of renewable energy projects to meet the growing demand for clean power and address climate change. It will expand the authority of the B.C. Energy Regulator to oversee renewable energy projects, like wind and solar projects.
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Introduction of Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act
The bill makes amendments to the Wildfire Act; Professional Governance Act; Wildlife Act; Housing Supply Act; Local Government Act and An Act to Incorporate the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District; Local Government Act – Service Establishment Bylaw exemptions; and Local Government Act – Elections amendments; Local Government Act and Vancouver Charter (clauses 45, 46, 65 and 66); Vancouver Charter – City of Vancouver Regulatory Authorities
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Improving safety for new drivers and riders
Updates to B.C.’s Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) and Motorcycle Licensing Process (MLP) will help new drivers and riders gain skills and experience in a safer, more structured way. The changes include eliminating the GLP exit test, reducing barriers and simplifying the path to a full driver’s licence. For motorcyclists, new requirements include zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs during the learning stages, protective gear, more time to learn, and demonstrating basic skills before riding on the road.
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Restricting sick notes for short term illnesses
This legislation will amend the Employment Standards Act to clarify that for short-term illness or injury, employers can’t request a sick note written by a physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse. This change lets health-care professionals focus on patient care, rather than filling out sick notes for minor illnesses.
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Introduction of attorney general statutes amendment act
The bill contains amendments to the Judicial Compensation Act, Land Title Act, Libel and Slander Act, Members Remuneration and Pensions Act, Police Act, Small Claims Act, and Wills, Estates and Succession Act.
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Helping reduce costs in the health care system
Amendments to the Health Care Costs Recovery Act allow government to recover the costs of health care services provided to Medical Services Plan beneficiaries who have been injured or have died due to a negligent or wrongful act or omission of a wrongdoer.
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B.C. eliminates carbon tax
Through the elimination of the tax, effective April 1, 2025, people in British Columbia will no longer be required to pay the consumer carbon tax on fuel and on their home heating bill.
The Province remains committed to driving down emissions and will ensure big polluters continue to pay through the B.C. output-based carbon pricing system.
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Protecting B.C. from the threat of U.S. tariffs
The Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act will strengthen B.C.’s ability to respond quickly to threats of tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States, to grow a more self-reliant economy and to defend workers and businesses.
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Strengthening consumer protection in B.C.
New changes to consumer protection legislation will modernize B.C.’s Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA) to ensure stronger protections for consumers and a fairer marketplace.
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Expanding and honouring BC Parks
Proposed amendments to the Protected Areas of BC Act will add approximately 143 hectares to three existing BC Parks: Naikoon (Haida Gwaii), Wells Gray (Clearwater) and Cinnemousun Narrows (Okanagan). Two additional parks will be renamed to traditional Indigenous names to recognize the significant cultural values and support ongoing reconciliation.