British Columbia updates wildfire, election, development rules

Summary#

Bill 13 (2025), the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, updates several B.C. laws. It focuses on wildfire enforcement, local election rules, regional growth charges for development in Metro Vancouver, tax sale notices to property owners, and stronger tools to block aquatic invasive species.

• Sets clearer timelines, notice, and “opportunity to be heard” before the minister issues certain Wildfire Act orders.
• Modernizes local election rules: mail ballot drop‑off locations, clearer ballot rules, privacy protections, and elector organization name updates.
• Gives boat, seaplane, and trailer inspection powers to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, with new offences for not stopping or refusing inspection.
• Requires cities to give owners direct notice before a tax sale.
• Temporarily shields certain in‑process development and building applications in Metro Vancouver from higher regional cost charges.
• Streamlines use of “density benefits” zoning bylaws for specific sites that match broader area rules.

What it means for you#

• People involved in wildfire investigations

  • You must get notice and a chance to respond before some ministerial orders are made (for alleged causing a fire or breaking the law).
  • Government has up to 3 years from when facts first became known to an official to issue notice (can extend by up to 18 months, for a maximum of 4.5 years).
  • If ordered to pay for work the government did, you must be given an accounting of the costs.

• Boaters, seaplane pilots, anglers, and dock owners

  • Conservation officers can stop you and inspect boats, seaplanes that land on water, trailers, docks, and other water gear to prevent zebra/quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species.
  • You can be required to unlock, uncover, provide records, answer questions, and allow samples or photos.
  • Failing to stop at a posted checkpoint, refusing inspection, or not providing requested information can be an offence.

• Drivers towing boats or water gear

  • Officers can stop and inspect your vehicle and trailer exterior; they can enter a vehicle to inspect a boat or water gear inside if conditions in the law are met.

• Property owners behind on taxes

  • Cities must send you a direct notice before your property is auctioned at the annual tax sale.
  • The notice must include when and where the sale is, your address/legal description, the amount owing, and that redeeming after sale will cost more.
  • Notices can be delivered in person, by mail, or by other approved methods, and are deemed received 7 days after being sent (unless received earlier).

• Voters and candidates in local elections (municipal, school board, Islands Trust, Vancouver)

  • Mail ballots: the local chief election officer may set drop‑off locations. Your ballot must be received at the election office address or an authorized drop‑off location before polls close on voting day.
  • Ballot marking: marks that clearly show your choice must be counted unless a standard rejection rule applies.
  • Candidate privacy: if nomination documents are posted online, your full home address must not be shown (only the municipality/electoral area).
  • Elector organizations (local slates): if a shorter name or acronym is used on the ballot, the group must promptly notify Elections BC; if not done within 60 days of awareness, Elections BC may suspend the registration.
  • Some changes apply starting with the 2026 general local election. Elections BC must keep certain public filings available for at least 5 years.

• Developers and builders in Metro Vancouver

  • If you submitted a subdivision application before March 22, 2024, higher regional development or amenity cost charges adopted after that date do not apply to that subdivision until March 22, 2026 (unless you agree otherwise).
  • If your building permit has an “in‑stream” precursor application when a regional development cost charge bylaw was adopted (on or before March 22, 2024), higher charges do not apply for 24 months after adoption (unless you agree).
  • Similar 24‑month protection applies to increases from amended regional amenity cost charge bylaws if a precursor application was already in‑stream.
  • Site‑specific density benefits zoning bylaws do not need certain updates if they match density rules set in a broader area bylaw. Any later amendment must follow the full update rules.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Strengthens wildfire enforcement while adding fairness: clear notice, proof timelines, and a right to be heard before orders.
• Helps stop aquatic invasive species by allowing checkpoints, inspections, and penalties that match the risk from boats, seaplanes, and water gear.
• Improves local elections: clearer rules, better ballot access with drop‑off sites, protects candidate privacy, and keeps public records available.
• Gives certainty to in‑process projects by temporarily freezing higher regional cost charges, which can help housing and infrastructure move ahead.
• Ensures property owners are clearly warned before tax sale, reducing surprise loss of homes or land.
• Streamlines density benefits zoning for specific sites when aligned with broader plans, supporting faster delivery of housing and amenities.

Opponents' View#

• New stop-and-inspect powers may feel intrusive, create delays for travelers with boats or seaplanes, and raise civil liberties concerns.
• Elections changes that allow retroactive ministerial orders could be seen as giving too much power to government to alter local election processes.
• Shielding some projects from higher regional charges may reduce funds for growth‑related infrastructure, shifting costs to others.
• Extending wildfire enforcement timelines up to 4.5 years could leave people and businesses under lengthy uncertainty.
• Strict mail‑ballot deadlines and voter responsibility for delivery may risk some ballots not being counted.
• Simplifying updates for site‑specific density benefits zoning may be viewed as reducing public input or oversight on changes.