By Maria Starko, St. John. McCloskey and Chris Sharpe On February 22nd, the Provincial Government released its 2024 budget (the “Budget“). The measures outlined in the Budget include measures intended to speed up the construction of new homes, increase the supply of middle-income housing, and fight speculation in the real estate marketplace. While many questions remain, the following is a brief […]
By Karen Ngan It’s not always possible for buyers or families to figure out financing before making the decision to buy real estate. You may want to sell property amongst family members who do not qualify for a traditional mortgage. Particularly in today’s market, the ability for sellers to lend money by way of a […]
By Maria Starko and Zachary Murphy-Rogers When setting up a trust, it can be difficult to imagine all the future scenarios and who may end up entitled to trust property. When these uncertainties exist, it is important to know the possibility of the trust being varied or terminated in the future. The British Columbia Supreme Court’s recent decision […]
As a Business and M&A lawyer, I help business owners transition out of their businesses so they can move on to the next stage in their lives. In this report, I will summarize some of the options for business owners who are looking at business succession.
Pursuant to the new Pay Transparency Act, as of November 1, 2023, employers in BC are subject to certain posting and reporting obligations. Employers are now required to include the expected pay or the expected pay range for any publicly posted job opportunity. This obligation does not apply to job postings that are not posted […]
Save the Date: My “How to Buy or Sell a Business” Seminar Returns in 2024
By Don C. Sihota, K.C. When: February 8th, 2024 What Will You Learn? The seminar is an invaluable resource for anyone thinking of buying or selling a business. You’ll benefit from the knowledge and experience I’ve gathered over 30 years as a mergers & acquisitions lawyer. I’ll also be joined by experts in tax and […]
Proposed Changes to Eliminate Zoning Barriers and Increase Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing
By Sarah Jones and Harman Kang On November 1, 2023, the Government of British Columbia proposed legislation that will amend zoning rules to reduce red tape and to create more small-scale, multi-unit homes. The changes aim to reduce redundant public hearing processes in certain circumstances, build more affordable housing, and plan for long-term housing needs. It is important to note […]
Collaborative Contracting: Identifying the Right Contract and the Right People
In a construction project, owners and contractors want the best possible outcome and bring their strengths and capabilities to the table to make that happen. Their respective commitments to the project are negotiated and committed to the construction contract. Increasingly, owners and contractors are turning to collaborative contracting models that allow for early collaboration, increased […]
Collaborative Contracting: Identifying the Right Contract and the Right People
In a construction project, owners and contractors want the best possible outcome and bring their strengths and capabilities to the table to make that happen. Their respective commitments to the project are negotiated and committed to the construction contract. Increasingly, owners and contractors are turning to collaborative contracting models that allow for early collaboration, increased […]
Collaborative Contracting: Identifying the Right Contract and the Right People
You’re invited to a complimentaryClark Wilson webinarCollaborative Contracting: Identifying the Right Contract and the Right People In a construction project, owners and contractors want the best possible outcome and bring their strengths and capabilities to the table to make that happen. Their respective commitments to the project are negotiated and committed to the construction contract. […]
Leak-proofing your Discretionary Trust: Protecting against Future-Generation Spousal Claims
Discretionary trusts are a useful tool for succession planning in a family business, however family business owners often overlook some important family law considerations when designing such a trust. As a result, beneficiaries of these trusts may find that their interest becomes subject to property division rules under BC’s Family Law Act in the event […]
Zachary Murphy-Rogers and summer student Hannah Plant write about section 38 of British Columbia’s Power of Attorney Act and how jurisdictional differences might affect the validity of future estate planning documents.
