Author: Clicklaw Editors

Have Your Say on Reforming Public Engagement on Land-Use Bylaws

Community posts

by The British Columbia Law Institute and Courthouse Libraries BC

Clicklaw is helping to spread the news to our community partners when important events or opportunities come up. The British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) is seeking the public’s views on legislation requiring public engagement on local land-use bylaws. Public hearings have been a feature of BC’s land-use legislation for local governments for about 100 years.

BCLI recently released its Consultation Paper on Renovating the Public Hearing, which gives readers information on the current law regarding public hearings for land-use, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a range of options for reform.

Last fall, BC passed Bill 44, a new law that limits the use of public hearings. Recently, critics have questioned whether public hearings are serving the purpose of providing a deliberative forum to assist local governments in making decisions on land-use planning. In this consultation, BCLI hopes to hear from all members of the public, and looks forward to receiving comments that will assist the BCLI Renovate the Public Hearing Project Committee in developing its final recommendations for reform.

The Renovate the Public Hearing Project provides an opportunity to think about public engagement on land use from first principles, consider new insights into group deliberation, and create a better way for local governments to engage the public.

Copies of the consultation paper, a short backgrounder summarizing its contents, and a link to their survey are all available at the project webpage. The consultation is open until 15 March 2024.

Stay up to date with the latest in public legal education and information in British Columbia. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.

Stay informed:

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January 2024 Events

Events

Bookmark this post! It will be updated as more events are announced. Have a suggestion? Email us.

Educating & Helping the Public

Free or low cost events for the general public to understand and use the law. Follow the links to see cost & registration info. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
January 1-7 | January 8-14 | January 15-21 | January 22-31
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section.

January 8-14, 2024

  • RDSP Level 1 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: Beginner RDSP workshop for those who want to learn what an RDSP is, who qualifies, how to apply for the Disability Tax Credit, and how to open an RDSP. This is best suited to people who want to learn the basics of RDSPs and get general information about the plan. No background knowledge needed to get the most out of this workshop.
    • When: Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Affidavit Swearing Service Legal Forms Workshop (In-Person)
    by Amici Curiae Friends of Court Society
    • What: AC Friends of Court is hosting its legal forms workshop in the City of Surrey. There is a $0 affidavit swearing service. Bring your legal documents and ID. This is in person at Sources Community Resources Centre Newton location, Lobby 105 – 13771 72A Avenue Surrey BC V3W 9C6. This service is provided in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and Hindi.
    • When: Thursday, January 11th, 2024 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

January 15-21, 2024

  • Introduction to Seniors First BC with Langley Seniors Resources Society (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC and Langley Seniors Resources Society
    • What: In partnership with the Langley Seniors Resources Society, Seniors First BC is delivering a learning event about Seniors First BC Programs and Services. This presentation introduces their programs and services, along with a brief overview of elder abuse. Additionally, we outline examples of situations where their programs have supported older adults experiencing abuse. No registration required.
    • When: Monday, January 15th, 2024 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Personal Planning through Storytelling: Representation Agreements, Nidus Registry & more (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre
    • What: What is personal planning? How is it different from estate planning? What if I have a Will and an Enduring Power of Attorney – am I covered? What if I can’t make any of these documents? What will happen to me in an emergency if I can’t speak for myself? Learn the answers to these questions and more. There will be a short period for Q&A. All are welcome to attend.
    • When: Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • RDSP Level 2 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: This Advanced RDSP workshop is for those who already have a RDSP or have already taken Level 1 and would like to deepen their knowledge and learn how to maximize growth. This workshop includes more complicated financial information so attendees should already understand RDSP basics and review our glossary of terms before attending this workshop.
    • When: Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Government Benefits for Seniors (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC and KinVillage
    • What: Join Seniors First BC and KinVillage for a Government Benefits presentation in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library. A Seniors First BC legal advocate will present an overview of federal and provincial government benefits for seniors, including Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER), Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA), and more. No registration required.
    • When: Thursday, January 18th, 2024 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: Becoming well-informed about wills, trusts and estate planning is necessary to secure the financial future of your loved one with a disability. In this webinar, you will learn things you should consider when creating a will, ways in which to ensure your loved one is protected when family passes, the types of trusts available, and more.
    • When: Thursday, January 18th, 2024 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM
    • Cost: Free

January 22-31, 2024

  • Residential Tenancy for Older Adults (Webinar)
    by Seniors First BC and New Horizons for Seniors
    • What: Join Seniors First BC for a presentation in partnership with New Horizons for Seniors (Cortes Island). A Seniors First BC legal advocate will cover information on Residential Tenancy Law in British Columbia, including the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and the process involved in dispute resolution with the Residential Tenancy Branch.
    • When: Tuesday, January 24th, 2024 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Frauds and Scams (Webinar)
    by Seniors First BC and Prince George Public Library
    • What: In 2022 in Canada, there were 91,190 reports of fraud totaling 57,055 victims of fraud? with a total of $431M lost. This presentation introduces what frauds and scams are, common methods and schemes targeting Canadian seniors, safety strategies, and resources to consult if you or someone you know has been affected by frauds/scams.
    • When: Wednesday, January 24th, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Affidavit Swearing Service Legal Forms Workshop (In-Person)
    by Amici Curiae Friends of Court Society
    • What: AC Friends of Court is hosting its legal forms workshop in the City of Vancouver. There is a $0 affidavit swearing service. Bring your legal documents and ID. This is in person at 312 Main, A Centre for Social and Economic Innovation. This service is provided in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and Hindi. An appointment is required.
    • When: Thursday, January 25th, 2024 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Personal Planning through Storytelling: Representation Agreements, Nidus Registry & more (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre
    • What: What is personal planning? How is it different from estate planning? What if I have a Will and an Enduring Power of Attorney – am I covered? What if I can’t make any of these documents? What will happen to me in an emergency if I can’t speak for myself? Learn the answers to these questions and more. There will be a short period for Q&A. All are welcome to attend.
    • When: Thursday, January 25th, 2024 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • The Importance of Staying Connected (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC and Renfrew Community Centre
    • What: Join Seniors First BC for a learning event on “The Importance of Staying Connected: Preventing Social Isolation and Loneliness” in partnership with the Renfrew Community Centre. This interactive presentation introduces the importance of staying connected. It discusses issues of social isolation and loneliness, the correlation between social isolation and decreased well-being, and how we can do our part to stay connected with loved ones in our lives.
    • When: Friday, January 26th, 2024 10:00 AM to Noon
    • Cost: Free
  • Scams and Identity Theft (Webinar)
    by People’s Law School
    • What: Do you have questions about scams and identity theft? What are the clues you should watch for? Are certain people more at risk than others? What options do you have if you get scammed? The best way to deal with a scam is to avoid it in the first place. The second best is knowing what to do if it happens to you. In this webinar you’ll find answers to common questions about avoiding and dealing with scams and identity theft.
    • When: Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 Noon to 1:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Frauds and Scams (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC and Vancouver Public Library
    • What: In 2022 in Canada, there were 91,190 reports of fraud totaling 57,055 victims of fraud? with a total of $431M lost. This presentation introduces what frauds and scams are, common methods and schemes targeting Canadian seniors, safety strategies, and resources to consult if you or someone you know has been affected by frauds/scams. Registration is required.
    • When: Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
    • Cost: Free

Learning & Community Building

Free or low cost professional development events for intermediaries, the people providing information and support to members of the public in their interactions with the legal system. We only include those that are open to non-lawyers. Also, events by organizations who help British Columbians in their interactions with the legal system. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
January 1-7 | January 8-14 | January 15-21 | January 22-31
Looking for public legal education events? Go back to the beginning.

We will update this section when more events are announced.

February Events

Plan ahead! Here’s a preview of what’s coming next month.

  • RDSP Level 2 with Family Services of Greater Vancouver (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute and FSGV
    • What: This Advanced RDSP workshop is for those who already have a RDSP or have already taken Level 1 and would like to deepen their knowledge and learn how to maximize growth. This workshop includes more complicated financial information so attendees should already understand RDSP basics and review our glossary of terms before attending this workshop.
    • When: Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM
    • Cost: Free

Disclaimer: These events are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Clicklaw team of any of the products or services of the organizations. Contact the external site for questions regarding their events.

Stay up to date with the latest in public legal education and information in British Columbia. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.

Stay informed:

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