The provincial government cancelled the fall 2016 legislative session on the day it was scheduled to begin. Another session is not intended until February ahead of the May 9, 2017,  general election.

The Official Opposition is calling for the Legislature to meet in October to introduce the 2017 provincial budget and to address funding to remedy the current housing crisis and loopholes in the province’s rent control laws.

This is the third time in five years the fall session has been cancelled.

Photo of the main block of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings by Ryan Bushby on Wikimedia Commons.

On May 19, the fifth session of the 40th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia adjourned. The Local Elections Campaign Financing (Election Expenses) Amendment Act, 2016, also received royal assent on May 19. Member Bills 213, 219, and 229, which also dealt with campaign finance, did not progress pass the first reading stage.

The Legislature is scheduled to convene again this year on October 3.

On November 27, the third session of the 40th parliament of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly adjourned for the year. The Legislature did not pass Bill M202, the Election Finance Amendment Act. It would have restricted political contributions to donations made by individual residents of the province and eliminated corporate, union, and out-of-province donations.

Photo of the main block of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings by Ryan Bushby on Wikimedia Commons.

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia resumes today at noon for the prorogation of the second session of the 40th Parliament. The third session of the 40th Parliament will then open at 1:30 p.m. The third session is scheduled to adjourn on November 27, 2014.

Photo of the British Columbia Legislature Building by Ryan Bushby on Wikimedia Commons.

On May 29, the second session of the 40th parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia adjourned for the summer. It is scheduled to reconvene on October 6, 2014, and to adjourn on November 27, 2014.

Two campaign finance bills affecting local elections in the province were passed during the session. Bill No. 20, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, and Bill No. 21, Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014 require, among other changes, third party advertising sponsors to register with Elections B.C., report expenditures and contributions of $50 or more, and clearly identify themselves in any election advertisement. Both bills received royal assent on May 29.

Two campaign finance bills affecting local elections in British Columbia were passed last week by the Legislative Assembly.

On May 1, Bill No. 20, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, and Bill No. 21, Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, were passed after the third readings. The new laws will require, among other changes, third party advertising sponsors to register with Election B.C., report expenditures and contributions of $50 or more, and clearly identify themselves in any election advertisement.

The legislation will become effective after royal assent.

Photo of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly building courtesy of KirinX on Wikimedia Commons.

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has ruled the province’s law requiring registration for political advertising is constitutional, even if no money on advertising has been spent.

The Election Act requires individuals and organizations wanting to sponsor election advertising to register with the province’s chief electoral officer. According to The Globe and Mail, Judge Bruce Cohen wrote, “The salutary effects of the impugned measure outweigh the deleterious effects [by increasing] the transparency, openness and accountability of B.C.’s electoral process and promotes an informed electorate.” The B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association had argued the law discourages participation from individuals and groups without the means or ability to register.