British Columbia Provincial Bills
BC updates pensions, police watchdog, FHSA protections
The law tweaks pensions, adds a civilian deputy to the police watchdog, protects first-home savings, and sets clear papers for land transfers after a death.
BC Updates Licensing, Distracted Driving, Motorcycle Gear
Novice drivers may move up faster after approved training. Motorcyclists need more gear, and distracted driving rules tighten; your driving history from other places may also count.
Faster Orders to Stop Intimate Image Abuse
Lets a tribunal and court quickly stop sharing intimate images without consent and award damages. Streamlines steps, protects privacy, and lets the ministry gather info to help victims.
BC updates campus sexual violence rules
Colleges and universities must post, review, and report on sexual violence policies. Students get training and a voice; complainants may learn steps and outcomes.
Schools Can Run Licensed Child Care
Public school boards can run licensed child care on school grounds. Families may see more nearby options and simpler drop-offs; fees and hours vary by district.
School Boards Gain Land and Housing Powers
School boards can more easily get land for schools and housing, with oversight. Some meetings may be closed to protect privacy and Indigenous talks.
BC introduces 27-week unpaid medical leave
Workers can take up to 27 weeks off for a serious illness or injury without losing their job. The leave is unpaid and needs a medical note.
BC Expands Recovery of Public Health Costs
If you sue or settle, a set amount for public care may go to the government. Insurers and people who are sued must give notice, share records, and help.
October becomes Korean Heritage Month in B.C.
B.C. would officially mark October as Korean Heritage Month. It's symbolic and voluntary, with no new programs, costs, or days off.
BC to Notify Patients of Dangerous Waits
Health authorities must warn if your wait exceeds safe times and list options in other regions. The Minister will publish yearly counts of patients who died before scheduled care.
BC tweaks property tax caps for utilities
Cities must follow new caps on utility property taxes and a new regional rate for homes. Your property tax or utility bill could change depending on local decisions.
BC Adds Free Credit Freezes and Alerts
You can freeze your credit and add alerts for free. You can see your credit info and score monthly, fix errors, and get refunds from credit repair and monitoring services.
BC Controls Crypto Power, First Nations Partnerships
BC can cap or price power for crypto, data, and hydrogen export. First Nations can co-own a new North Coast transmission line. Some costs may raise customer bills.
B.C. Caps Rent Hikes Between Tenants
Landlords could not reset rent to market when a tenant leaves. New rent would be about the last rent plus the annual cap.
Dashcams Required in BC Commercial Vehicles
Owners of commercial vehicles must install forward-facing dashcams, and drivers must keep them recording while driving. Starts six months after it becomes law.
British Columbia Makes Online Regulations Official
Regulations move online with official status. You can use free, updated web versions, and rules can’t be enforced unless they’re published or clearly shared.
B.C. Can Sue Vaping Firms for Health Costs
B.C. can sue vaping companies to recover public health costs using market share and privacy-protected data. Consumers see no new rules, but prices could rise.
BC plans prompt payment for construction
Owners must pay invoices within 28 days. Quick rulings settle payment fights while work continues, with interest on late bills and set timelines down the chain.
BC Limits Child Safety Plans to 45 Days
Short safety plans help keep kids safe during investigations. Plans last up to 45 days, include parents and Indigenous bodies, and must tell parents they can get legal advice.
BC fast-tracks permits with certified reports
Cities must accept certified reports from licensed experts unless incomplete. Developers may face fewer peer reviews and faster approvals, while professionals carry legal risk if their report causes harm.
Province ends insurer health transfers, updates child funds
Past crash health payments are settled by a backdated tax, and future transfers stop. The Public Guardian can manage children’s money, with best-interest rules and options for Indigenous agreements.
BC makes online laws official and accessible
BC will treat the government website's laws as official. You can check current and past versions online, with faster fixes and better access features.
BC speeds small homes, tightens short-term rentals
Cities must allow more small homes on residential lots and follow parking caps. Short-term rental rules get clearer, with stronger enforcement and more power for participating First Nations.
Vancouver Council Could Take Over Parks
Vancouver voters may decide to dissolve the Park Board. If approved, City Council would run parks, keep current rules at first, and set stronger protections for designated permanent parks.
BC to plan firefighter health screenings
The bill orders a province-wide screening plan for firefighters, including cancer and mental health checks. It also reviews workers’ compensation rules for firefighter illnesses.
BC limits sick notes for short absences
Employers can’t ask for a doctor’s note for short sick leave in certain cases set by regulation. This saves time for workers and clinics once the rules start.
British Columbia updates wildfire, election, development rules
It sets fair wildfire timelines, allows boat and seaplane inspections, and updates local election rules. Owners get tax sale notices, and some Metro Vancouver projects avoid new regional fees temporarily.
BC fast-tracks clean energy projects
Permits for select wind and a new power line will move faster under one regulator. Some projects skip environmental assessment, with fewer public steps and quicker construction.
B.C. Speeds Up Hospitals, Schools, Transit
Lets the province name priority projects and cut red tape. Faster permits and reviews aim to build hospitals, schools, and transit sooner while keeping Indigenous engagement rules.
BC Budget Funds 2025 Services and Projects
Lets B.C. pay for health care, schools, and other services in 2025–26. Funds approved projects and paycheques; no new taxes.
BC Budget Changes Taxes, Film, and Benefits
BC changes tax credits, film incentives, and property tax rules. Low-income benefits, apprenticeships, First Nations land exemptions, and homeowner relief are updated, and some vehicle taxes won't be charged twice.
B.C. gains new trade and toll tools
B.C. can accept goods and services approved in other provinces and set new road or ferry tolls, and guide public purchasing. Most powers end in 2026.
Provincial Lawmakers Can't Hold Local Office
If a local official wins a provincial seat, they automatically leave the local job. Expect by-elections to fill vacancies in cities, towns, and school boards.
BC Perinatal Mental Health Strategy
The health minister must publish a plan within a year to improve mental health care before and after birth. It aims for shorter waits, more local help, and grief counselling.
BC Committee to Review School Materials
BC would set up a committee to review school books and media. It would suggest age ratings and whether to keep items; parents could send items for review.
B.C. Mandates Uniform Anti-Drug School Education
All British Columbia schools must teach stronger anti-drug lessons and post signs. Schools will host yearly family sessions and report their work to the education minister.
B.C. changes basic personal tax amount
B.C. will change the tax-free income amount. Most people could see different take-home pay and tax bills once new rules start.
B.C. Ends Zero-Emission Vehicle Sales Mandate
Repeals B.C.'s EV sales targets and penalties. Dealers and carmakers face less paperwork, while buyers may see fewer EV options and more gas models.
BC Expands Family Role in Involuntary Care
Doctors must try to consult a close relative before involuntary admission. Hospitals must notify a near relative before discharge and when a patient stops sharing information.
BC Launches Emergency Volunteer Corps and Hub
BC will set up a Volunteer Corps and website for emergencies. You can find roles and training in one place, so help arrives faster during fires and floods.
B.C. to repeal industrial emissions rules
B.C. would scrap its industrial emissions rulebook. Big plants would move to federal reporting and compliance. Carbon tax stays the same; some provincial funding and credits would end.
Extend Acting Conflict of Interest Commissioner
Ethics oversight for MLAs continues without gaps while a permanent commissioner is chosen. An acting commissioner can serve past six months until March 2026.
BC Ends Protection for Eight Ecological Reserves
The bill removes strict reserve status from eight B.C. sites. Protections drop now, allowing new access or projects if the province approves.
BC Bans Forced Arbitration, Subscription Traps
BC boosts consumer rights: no forced arbitration or review gags, limits on auto-renewals and door-to-door sales, and clear prices, notices, fast refunds, and easy cancellations.
B.C. interim funding keeps services running
Lets B.C. spend part of next year's budget so services keep running. Hospitals, schools, benefits, and projects get paid on time, with no new taxes.
BC Drops Carbon Tax on Natural Gas
From April 1, 2025, natural gas bills in B.C. won't include carbon tax. Utilities must credit or refund any such charges within 180 days.
BC stays on daylight time year-round
Clocks would not change in spring or fall. BC would keep brighter winter evenings but darker mornings, and be one hour ahead of the U.S. West Coast in winter.
BC Recognizes Other Provinces' Goods and Licences
BC would accept goods and professional licences from provinces that pass similar rules. Workers and businesses could operate in BC with fewer tests, fees, and paperwork.
BC Limits Credits for Subsidized Fuel Imports
BC will reduce clean fuel credits for imported fuels that also get outside subsidies. Companies must report those incentives; credits can be waived to avoid shortages.
House Affirms Right to Set Its Agenda
Elected members can set House business without Crown consent. They may act on issues before or outside the Throne Speech, with no change to services or taxes.