B.C. broadens groundwater diversion exemptions for construction and adds new rules for riparian-area development assessments

The Water Sustainability Regulation now allows construction dewatering (pumping groundwater to keep a site dry) without a water authorization, provided daily volumes stay under 300 m³ (no professional oversight requir…

BC brings most of the Health Professions and Occupations Act into force, with one narrow carve-out

A new order in council replaces the commencement schedule in an earlier regulation to specify exactly which sections of the Health Professions and Occupations Act are now in force. The vast majority of the Act—coverin…

BC disability and income assistance recipients now face stricter limits on housing crisis supplements and moving supplements

Recipients of Employment and Assistance and Disability Assistance now face a cap of one crisis supplement for shelter per family unit in any 12-month period, and no more than two moving-related supplements (covering i…

B.C. brings Interpretation Amendment Act 2019 into force and repeals Daylight Saving Time Regulation

A new Order in Council brings the Interpretation Amendment Act, 2019 into force and simultaneously repeals the Daylight Saving Time Regulation (B.C. Reg. 136/2006). The Interpretation Amendment Act, 2019 made changes…

B.C. brings sections 3–24 of the Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2025 into force

A new Order in Council brings sections 3 to 24 of the Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2025 into force. The proclamation document itself does not describe the content of those sections, so the specific…

B.C. child care licensing rules updated: new work-experience paths, competency standards, and approved-institution list revised

The Child Care Licensing Regulation has been amended in several practical ways. First, the name reference to the governing child care statute has been updated to reflect its new title. Second, applicants seeking early…

Home Owner Grant threshold lowered: eligible properties must be assessed at $2,075,000 or less

The assessed value threshold used to determine eligibility for the Home Owner Grant has been reduced from $2,175,000 to $2,075,000. Homeowners whose property is assessed above $2,075,000 will no longer qualify for the…

Designated accommodation tax rate rises to 3% and both expiry dates extended to 2031

Two changes have been made to the Designated Accommodation Area Tax Regulation. First, the accommodation tax rate for the area covered by Schedule 2.1 item 1 is increasing from 2% to 3%. Second, two expiry dates that…

BC Energy Regulator cuts pipeline permit fees and revises LNG facility levies for several major projects

The BC Energy Regulator has amended the fees and levies payable under the Fee, Levy and Security Regulation for certain energy projects. Two existing pipeline permit fees have changed: one fee drops from $1,700 to $42…

B.C. Energy Regulator overhauls dormancy, liability reduction, and consultation rules for oil and gas permit holders

The British Columbia Energy Regulator has amended five regulations governing dormant and former energy sites, hydrogen facilities, processing facilities, service obligations, and pipeline consultation. Key practical c…

B.C. creates comprehensive permitting and operating rules for wind and solar energy projects

The British Columbia Energy Regulator has adopted a new regulation that establishes end-to-end requirements for renewable energy projects (primarily wind and solar) that go through the streamlined provincial permittin…