On July 1, 2010 new rules governing the conduct of litigation in the Supreme Court of British Columbia came into effect. These new rules completely replaced the existing rules which had been effect since 1979. The following are the essential elements of the new rules that everybody in local government needs to know. (more…)
March 2010 – Replacing Units in Mobile Home Parks
The law regarding mobile home parks that are non-conforming under current zoning bylaws has just been clarified in Stroshin et al. v. The City of Parksville (“Stroshin”). For some time, it has been unclear whether the occupiers of mobile home spaces in non-conforming mobile home parks could replace their older, smaller mobile homes with newer, larger mobile homes. In Stroshin, the Honourable Mr. Justice Wong denied the Petitioner the ability to replace older, smaller units with newer, larger ones on the ground that it would contravene section 911 of the Local Government Act (the “Act”). Indeed, Mr. Justice Wong went further than the position taken by the City of Parksville (“City”) and held that replacement units were not permitted by section 911 at all. (more…)
February 2010 – Supreme Court of Canada Decision in Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Ministry of Transportation and Highways), 2010 SCC 4
On February 12, 2010, the Supreme Court of the Canada released its long-awaited judgment in the tendering law case of Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Ministry of Transportation and Highways), 2010 SCC 4 (“Tercon”). (more…)
December 2009 – Anti-camping Bylaw’s Unconstitutional Status Upheld by Court of Appeal
On December 9, 2009 the British Columbia Court of Appeal released its reasons for judgment in the Victoria (City) v. Adams case.
The decision of the Trial Judge (released in October 2008 and reported on in our client bulletin at http://www.sms.bc.ca/client/2008/oct2008-1.html) received widespread attention. Given the importance of the issues, a number of additional parties sought and were granted intervenor status at the Court of Appeal, including the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, The Poverty and Human Rights Centre, and Pivot Legal Society. The Attorney General of British Columbia participated as an intervenor on the appeal as well. (more…)
October 2009 – Civil Graffiti Damages and Injunctive Relief First for a Local Government in British Columbia
The City of Langford commenced a civil action in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against two graffiti vandals for injunctive relief and damages. The first action against a graffiti vandal utilizing the tag “REZ” was settled by way of Court Order while the second will proceed to trial. The key components of this Order are as follows: (more…)
