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COVID-19

  • May 26, 2020
As we enter phase 2 of the British Columbia government’s announced “restart plan,” to gradually re-open businesses and ease restrictions, it is interesting to think about what legal authority is being used to make temporary emergency based legal changes amid...

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  • May 17, 2020
What legal framework governs B.C.’s response to covid-19?   The Emergency Program Act  (EPA), passed in 1993, is the principal legislation for responding to disasters and emergencies in British Columbia. If the Minster of Public Safety, or the entire cabinet, is satisfied...

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  • April 30, 2020
  • Photo: "Coronavirus Research" by danielfoster437 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
In March, 2020, concerns began to mount over covid-19. We heard that certain group gatherings resulted in outbreaks of the virus. Some of these events involved health care professionals.  An Alberta outbreak was traced to an Edmonton curling bonspiel. More than...

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  • April 15, 2020
  • Photo: "Corona Virus" by danielfoster437 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
British Columbia’s Employment Standards Act (ESA) has been amended in response to concerns regarding covid-19.  The amendments are now in effect. They include two new job protected unpaid leaves of absence: a covid-19 related leave; and an unpaid illness or injury leave. BC’s...

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  • March 28, 2020
  • Photo: "response" is licensed under CC0 1.0
Liquor and cannabis stores remain open.   The list of essential services seems to be about a mile long. Amid all the concern about coronavirus, covid-19, even dollar stores are open. Lawyers are considered an “essential service.”  By definition, this includes the judiciary. Why,...

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