CBA.ORG / BC Partners

CLEBC Update
New Books and Courses
Business Corporations Act Transition Guide
The new Business Corporations Act aims to create a more flexible business environment for B.C., but what does it mean for your corporate clients? What will a new board of directors look like? What does your corporate records department have to do to prepare? What do your clients have to do?

The Business Corporation Act Transition Guide contains commentary by John Lundell, Martin MacLachlan, Linda Parsons, and Liz Mueller, and tables of concordance. The guide has an overview by John Lundell, and reviews critical transition topics, such as directors and officers, registered and records offices, company articles, and important registry information.

The new Business Corporations Act will probably come into force in the Fall of 2003. There will be a number of significant changes from the existing Company Act, and within two years after it comes into force, all companies will be required to “roll over” under the new legislation. Join CLE on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at the Pan Pacific Hotel to receive an overview of the new Business Corporations Act from John Lundell. You will learn about various transition issues; find out what needs to be done or could be done now; find out what you don’t need to worry about at this time; and hear about how the new legislation will impact the Corporate Registry. For more information visit www.cle.bc.ca.

Labour and Employment Law Transition Guide
This handy, paperback guide consolidates the latest versions of the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Labour Relations Code, and Workers Compensation Act. Each Act is introduced by an overview, analyzing the significance of the changes to the legislation. Written by leading practitioners: Gwendoline C. Allison on the Employment Standards Act, Patricia J. Janzen on the Human Rights Code, Thomas A. Roper, QC on the Labour Relations Code, and Edward Bates on the Workers Compensation Act. The guide also includes Regulations under the Acts, giving practitioners all the current legislation in one source.

Community Charter
The Community Charter will establish a new legislative framework for B.C. municipalities. Come to the Sheraton Wall Centre on Thursday, May 29, 2003 and have your questions answered by people closest to the development and drafting process of this important new legislation!

The Law Foundation of British Columbia
Grants Approved
The Board of Governors of the Law Foundation of B.C. met on March 8, 2003. Chair Don Silversides, QC is pleased to announce that funding totalling $3,170,080 was approved for the following 18 continuing programs:

Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch,Law Week 2003 - $5,500
University of Saskatchewan,Native Law Centre – Program of Legal Studies and Operating - $10,300
End Legislated Poverty,FLAWline Editor and Facilitator - $19,500
Separation and Divorce Resource Centre,Volunteer and Legal Support Services Program - $40,600
Battered Women’s Support Services,Legal Advocacy Program - $50,480
Law Foundation Graduate Fellowships,2003/2004 - $55,000
North Island Advocacy Coalition Society,Legal Advocacy Program - $84,600
Nelson District Community Resources Society,Legal Advocacy Program - $105,400
West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund Association,Operating - $111,700
West Coast Domestic Workers’ Association,Operating - $133,800
BC Civil Liberties Association,Operating - $134,300
British Columbia Law Institute,Operating - $140,300
University of Victoria, Faculty of Law,Law Centre Clinical Program - $203,400
Tenants’ Rights Action Coalition,Operating - $218,600
Law Society of BC,Professional Legal Training Course - $233,800
People’s Law School,Operating - $262,400
Community Legal Assistance Society,Operating - $654,500
West Coast Environmental Law Association,Operating and Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund - $705,900

Governors also considered 85 Letters of Intent received under the Law Foundation’s 2003 Project Initiative. Selected applicants are being invited to submit full applications for project funding to be adjudicated at the June 2003 Board of Governors meeting.

Of note was the large percentage of proposals received for advocacy services. A strategy is being developed by the Law Foundation to assist smaller communities with limited access to justice.

Jeffrey Scouten of Vancouver and Bowen Island has been re-appointed by the CBABC for a second term as a Governor of the Law Foundation. Mr. Scouten currently serves on the Finance and Administration and the Diversity Committees.