The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
HONOURABLE SUZANNE ANTON
MINISTER OF JUSTICE
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:
Part 1 – Community, Sport and Cultural
Development Amendments
Local Government Act
SECTION 1: [Local Government Act, section 13]
1 Section 13 (3) of the Local Government Act, R.S.B.C. 2015, c. 1, is amended
(a) by repealing paragraphs (d), (f) and (g) and substituting the following:
(d) a signed statement, of the designated municipal officer, verifying that the required public notice has been given;
(f) a signed statement, of the designated municipal officer, verifying the number of electors entitled to sign under paragraph (e);
(g) a signed statement, of one or more persons, verifying the authenticity of the electors' signatures under paragraph (e); , and
(b) in paragraph (k) by striking out "a statement under oath by" and substituting "a signed statement of".
Part 2 – Education Amendments
School Act
SECTION 2: [School Act, section 166.13] replaces the use of an affirmation with the use of a signed statement as the method of applying to become a member of a francophone education authority.
2 Section 166.13 (1) of the School Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 412, is amended by striking out "an affirmation" and substituting "a signed statement".
SECTION 3: [School Act, section 166.24] replaces the use of a signed affirmation with the use of a signed statement in respect of an application to enroll a child in a francophone educational program.
3 Section 166.24 (4) is amended by striking out "a signed affirmation" and substituting "a signed statement".
SECTION 4: [School Act, section 175] is consequential to amendments made to the Act by this Bill.
4 Section 175 (6) (a) is amended by striking out "affirmation" and substituting "signed statement".
Part 3 – Finance Amendments
Cooperative Association Act
SECTION 5: [Cooperative Association Act, section 184] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify instruments of continuation.
5 Section 184 (1) (c) of the Cooperative Association Act, S.B.C. 1999, c. 28, is amended by striking out "an affidavit" and substituting "a signed statement".
Credit Union Incorporation Act
SECTION 6: [Credit Union Incorporation Act, section 15.1] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify instruments of continuation.
6 Section 15.1 (2) (b) of the Credit Union Incorporation Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 82, is amended by striking out "an affidavit" and substituting "a signed statement".
Gaming Control Act
SECTION 7: [Gaming Control Act, sections 62, 65, 66 and 67] removes affidavits as a class of material to be included in an application for registration as a gaming services provider or gaming worker.
7 Sections 62 (1) (b), 65 (1) (d), 66 (1) (b) and 67 (1) (c) of the Gaming Control Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 14, are amended by striking out ", affidavits".
Insurance Premium Tax Act
SECTION 8: [Insurance Premium Tax Act, section 9] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify, on receipt of a demand from the Commissioner of Income Tax, the correctness of a return.
8 Section 9 of the Insurance Premium Tax Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 232, is amended by striking out "affidavit" in both places and substituting "signed statement".
Part 4 – Forests, Lands and Natural
Resource Operations Amendments
Land Act
SECTION 9: [Land Act, section 37]
9 Section 37 of the Land Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 245, is repealed and the following substituted:
37 (1) The minister may require an applicant to provide proof, by signed statement or otherwise, with respect to a matter arising out of the application or with respect to the applicant's financial affairs.
(2) A person who does any of the following commits an offence:
(a) knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under this section;
(b) produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under this section while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement.
Land Title Act
SECTION 10: [Land Title Act, section 203] replaces the use of a sworn declaration with the use of a signed statement, in respect of an application to register a crystallized floating charge in a land title office, as proof that the charge has crystallized and the circumstances under which the crystallization occurred.
10 Section 203 (6) of the Land Title Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 250, is amended by striking out "a sworn declaration" and substituting "a signed statement".
Water Sustainability Act
SECTION 11: [Water Sustainability Act, section 33] replaces the use of an affidavit of proof with the use of a signed statement to confirm a licensee's payment of compensation to the comptroller and the failure of the owner to execute the conveyance or instrument.
11 Section 33 (2) (b) (iii) of the Water Sustainability Act, S.B.C. 2014, c. 15, is amended by striking out "an affidavit proving" and substituting "a signed statement confirming".
Weed Control Act
SECTION 12: [Weed Control Act, section 7] replaces the use of a statement, verified by affidavit,with the use of a signed statement setting out the costs of the control in respect of the inspector's control of noxious weeds.
12 Section 7 of the Weed Control Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 487, is amended
(a) in subsection (2) by striking out "a statement of the costs of the control, and send the statement, verified by affidavit," and substituting "a signed statement setting out the costs of the control and send the signed statement,", and
(b) in subsection (3) by striking out "statement" in both places and substituting "signed statement".
SECTION 13: [Weed Control Act, section 15]
13 Section 15 (c) is repealed and the following substituted:
(c) obstructs an inspector in the lawful exercise of the inspector's duties under this Act,
(c.1) provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under this Act, or .
Part 5 – Health Amendments
Continuing Care Act
SECTION 14: [Continuing Care Act, section 5] replaces the requirement to provide certain information by affidavit or otherwise with the requirement to provide certain information by signed statement or otherwise in respect of a person who will receive continuing care or in respect of members of the person's family.
14 Section 5 (3) (a) of the Continuing Care Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 70, is amended by striking out "an affidavit" and substituting "a signed statement".
SECTION 15: [Continuing Care Act, section 12]
15 Section 12 is amended by adding the following subsections:
(3) A person who knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under section 5 (3) commits an offence.
(4) A person who produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under section 5 (3) while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement commits an offence.
Hospital Act
SECTION 16: [Hospital Act, section 7]
16 Section 7 of the Hospital Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 200, is amended
(a) in subsection (3) by striking out "the affidavit" and substituting "a signed statement", and
(b) by adding the following subsections:
(5) A person who knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under subsection (3) commits an offence.
(6) A person who produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under subsection (3) while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement commits an offence.
Hospital Insurance Act
SECTION 17: [Hospital Insurance Act, section 7]
17 Section 7 of the Hospital Insurance Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 204, is amended
(a) in subsection (1) by striking out "an affidavit" and substituting "a signed statement", and
(b) in subsection (2) (a) and (b) by striking out "an affidavit or statement" and substituting "a signed statement or other statement".
SECTION 18: [Repeal of amendment that may become inoperative] provides for the repeal by regulation of a section of this Bill that may become inoperative.
18 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, repeal section 16 of this Act.
Part 6 – Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Amendments
Labour Relations Code
SECTION 19: [Labour Relations Code, section 149] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of certain directions by the board relating to an application for certification by a trade union or employers' organization.
19 Section 149 of the Labour Relations Code, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 244, is amended
(a) in subsections (1) (a) and (2) (a) by striking out "an affidavit signed by" and substituting "a signed statement of", and
(b) in subsection (2) (b) by striking out "a statement setting out" and substituting "a description of".
SECTION 20: [Labour Relations Code, section 150] replaces the use of a statutory declarationwith the use of a signed statement in respect of the principal officers of a provincial, national or international trade union that assumes supervision or control over a subordinate trade union.
20 Section 150 (1) is amended by striking out "a statement, verified by the statutory declaration of its principal officers" and substituting "a signed statement of its principal officers".
SECTION 21: [Labour Relations Code, section 158.1]
21 The following section is added:
158.1 (1) A person who knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under section 149 or 150 commits an offence.
(2) A person who produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under section 149 or 150 while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in the signed statement commits an offence.
Part 7 – Justice Amendments
Election Act
SECTION 22: [Election Act, section 54]
22 Section 54 of the Election Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 106, is amended
(a) in subsection (3) (c) to (e) by striking out "solemn declaration" and substituting "signed statement", and
(b) by repealing subsection (4).
SECTION 23: [Election Act, section 57] is consequential to an amendment made to the Act by this Bill.
23 Section 57 (3) (b) is amended by striking out "solemn declaration" and substituting "signed statement".
SECTION 24: [Election Act, section 155] replaces the use of solemn declarations with the use of signed statements in respect of certain requirements for the registration of political parties.
24 Section 155 (3) is amended
(a) by repealing paragraph (m) and substituting the following:
(m) a signed statement, of the financial agent of the political party, verifying the accuracy of the statement submitted under paragraph (l); , and
(b) in paragraph (n) by striking out "solemn declaration" and substituting "signed statement".
SECTION 25: [Election Act, section 157] replaces the use of a solemn declaration with the use of a signed statement in respect of the accuracy of a statement of the assets and liabilities of the constituency association.
25 Section 157 (3) (l) is repealed and the following substituted:
(l) a signed statement, of the financial agent of the constituency association, verifying the accuracy of the statement of the assets and liabilities of the constituency association submitted under paragraph (k); .
SECTION 26: [Election Act, section 240] replaces the use of a solemn declaration with the use of a signed statement in respect of certain matters relating to an individual who files an application to become a registered sponsor.
26 Section 240 (3) (b) is amended by striking out "solemn declaration" and substituting "signed statement".
SECTION 27: [Election Act, section 268] is consequential to an amendment made to the Act by this Bill.
27 Section 268 (3) is amended by striking out "a declaration" and substituting "a declaration or a signed statement".
Recall and Initiative Act
SECTION 28: [Recall and Initiative Act, sections 3, 19, 50, 97, 125 and 144] replaces the use of certain solemn declarations with the use of signed statements.
28 Sections 3 (2) (c), 19 (2) (d), 50 (4), 97 (3) (b), 125 (4) and 144 (3) (b) of the Recall and Initiative Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 398, are amended by striking out "solemn declaration" and substituting "signed statement".
Trustee Act
SECTION 29: [Trustee Act, section 14]
29 Section 14 of the Trustee Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 464, is amended
(a) in subsection (6) by striking out "An affidavit" and substituting "A signed statement", and
(b) by adding the following subsections:
(12) A person who knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under subsection (6) commits an offence.
(13) A person who produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under subsection (6) while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement commits an offence.
Wills, Estates and Succession Act
SECTION 30: [Wills, Estates and Succession Act, section 77]
30 Section 77 of the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, S.B.C. 2009, c. 13, is amended
(a) in subsection (2) by striking out "statutory declaration" and substituting "signed statement", and
(b) by adding the following subsections:
(6) A person who knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under subsection (2) commits an offence.
(7) A person who produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under subsection (2) while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement commits an offence.
Part 8 – Natural Gas Development Amendments
Petroleum and Natural Gas Act
SECTION 31: [Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, section 47] replaces the use of affidavits of expenditure with the use of signed statements of expenditures in respect of a renewal of an exploration permit and makes consequential amendments.
31 Section 47 (3) (a) of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 361, is amended
(a) by striking out "an affidavit of expenditure" and substituting "a signed statement setting out expenditures",
(b) by striking out "exhibits" and substituting "attachments", and
(c) by striking out "the affidavit" and substituting "the signed statement".
SECTION 32: [Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, section 47] replaces the use of affidavits of expenditure with the use of signed statements of estimated expenditures in respect of a renewal of an exploration permit and makes consequential amendments.
32 Section 47 (3) (b) is amended
(a) by striking out "an affidavit of estimated expenditure" and substituting "a signed statement setting out estimated expenditures", and
(b) by striking out "exhibits" and substituting "attachments".
SECTION 33: [Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, section 48] is consequential to an amendmentmade to the Act by this Bill.
33 Section 48 is amended by striking out "an affidavit" and substituting "a signed statement".
Rent Distress Act
SECTION 34: [Rent Distress Act, section 3]
34 Section 3 of the Rent Distress Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 403, is amended
(a) in subsection (6) (a) by striking out "statutory declaration" and substituting "signed statement",
(b) in subsection (6) (b) and (c) by striking out "declaration" and substituting "signed statement", and
(c) by adding the following subsections:
(7) A person who knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under subsection (6) commits an offence.
(8) A person who produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under subsection (6) while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement commits an offence.
Part 9 – Small Business and Red Tape
Reduction Amendments
Liquor Distribution Act
SECTION 35: [Liquor Distribution Act, sections 11.2 and 11.3] replaces the use of affidavitswith the use of signed statements in respect of certain requirements established by the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch for applicants for approval to operate premises that store non duty paid packaged liquor.
35 Sections 11.2 (1) (b) and 11.3 (1) (a) (ii) of the Liquor Distribution Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 268, are amended by striking out "affidavits" and substituting "signed statements".
SECTION 36: [Liquor Distribution Act, section 11.7]
36 The following section is added:
11.7 A person who does any of the following commits an offence:
(a) knowingly provides information that is false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement under this Act;
(b) produces or relies upon a signed statement given by another person under this Act while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading with respect to a material fact contained in that signed statement.
Part 10 – Social Development and
Social Innovation Amendments
Employment and Assistance Act
SECTION 37: [Employment and Assistance Act, section 11] replaces the use of an affirmationby the signature of each recipient with the use of a confirmation by a signed statement of each recipient.
37 Section 11 (2) of the Employment and Assistance Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 40, is amended by striking out "affirmed by the signature" and substituting "confirmed by a signed statement".
Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act
SECTION 38: [Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, section 11] replaces the use of an affirmation by the signature of each recipient with the use of a confirmation by a signed statement of each recipient.
38 Section 11 (2) of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 41, is amended by striking out "affirmed by the signature" and substituting "confirmed by a signed statement".
39 This Act comes into force by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
SECTION 1: [Local Government Act, section 13]
SECTION 2: [School Act, section 166.13] replaces the use of an affirmation with the use of a signed statement as the method of applying to become a member of a francophone education authority.
SECTION 3: [School Act, section 166.24] replaces the use of a signed affirmation with the use of a signed statement in respect of an application to enroll a child in a francophone educational program.
SECTION 4: [School Act, section 175] is consequential to amendments made to the Act by this Bill.
SECTION 5: [Cooperative Association Act, section 184] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify instruments of continuation.
SECTION 6: [Credit Union Incorporation Act, section 15.1] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify instruments of continuation.
SECTION 7: [Gaming Control Act, sections 62, 65, 66 and 67] removes affidavits as a class of material to be included in an application for registration as a gaming services provider or gaming worker.
SECTION 8: [Insurance Premium Tax Act, section 9] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify, on receipt of a demand from the Commissioner of Income Tax, the correctness of a return.
SECTION 9: [Land Act, section 37]
SECTION 10: [Land Title Act, section 203] replaces the use of a sworn declaration with the use of a signed statement, in respect of an application to register a crystallized floating charge in a land title office, as proof that the charge has crystallized and the circumstances under which the crystallization occurred.
SECTION 11: [Water Sustainability Act, section 33] replaces the use of an affidavit of proof with the use of a signed statement to confirm a licensee's payment of compensation to the comptroller and the failure of the owner to execute the conveyance or instrument.
SECTION 12: [Weed Control Act, section 7] replaces the use of a statement, verified by affidavit, with the use of a signed statement setting out the costs of the control in respect of the inspector's control of noxious weeds.
SECTION 13: [Weed Control Act, section 15]
SECTION 14: [Continuing Care Act, section 5] replaces the requirement to provide certain information by affidavit or otherwise with the requirement to provide certain information by signed statement or otherwise in respect of a person who will receive continuing care or in respect of members of the person's family.
SECTION 15: [Continuing Care Act, section 12]
SECTION 16: [Hospital Act, section 7]
SECTION 17: [Hospital Insurance Act, section 7]
SECTION 18: [Repeal of amendment that may become inoperative] provides for the repeal by regulation of a section of this Bill that may become inoperative.
SECTION 19: [Labour Relations Code, section 149] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of certain directions by the board relating to an application for certification by a trade union or employers' organization.
SECTION 20: [Labour Relations Code, section 150] replaces the use of a statutory declaration with the use of a signed statement in respect of the principal officers of a provincial, national or international trade union that assumes supervision or control over a subordinate trade union.
SECTION 21: [Labour Relations Code, section 158.1]
SECTION 22: [Election Act, section 54]
SECTION 23: [Election Act, section 57] is consequential to an amendment made to the Act by this Bill.
SECTION 24: [Election Act, section 155] replaces the use of solemn declarations with the use of signed statements in respect of certain requirements for the registration of political parties.
SECTION 25: [Election Act, section 157] replaces the use of a solemn declaration with the use of a signed statement in respect of the accuracy of a statement of the assets and liabilities of the constituency association.
SECTION 26: [Election Act, section 240] replaces the use of a solemn declaration with the use of a signed statement in respect of certain matters relating to an individual who files an application to become a registered sponsor.
SECTION 27: [Election Act, section 268] is consequential to an amendment made to the Act by this Bill.
SECTION 28: [Recall and Initiative Act, sections 3, 19, 50, 97, 125 and 144] replaces the use of certain solemn declarations with the use of signed statements.
SECTION 29: [Trustee Act, section 14]
SECTION 30: [Wills, Estates and Succession Act, section 77]
SECTION 31: [Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, section 47] replaces the use of affidavits of expenditure with the use of signed statements of expenditures in respect of a renewal of an exploration permit and makes consequential amendments.
SECTION 32: [Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, section 47] replaces the use of affidavits of expenditure with the use of signed statements of estimated expenditures in respect of a renewal of an exploration permit and makes consequential amendments.
SECTION 33: [Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, section 48] is consequential to an amendment made to the Act by this Bill.
SECTION 34: [Rent Distress Act, section 3]
SECTION 35: [Liquor Distribution Act, sections 11.2 and 11.3] replaces the use of affidavits with the use of signed statements in respect of certain requirements established by the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch for applicants for approval to operate premises that store non duty paid packaged liquor.
SECTION 36: [Liquor Distribution Act, section 11.7]
SECTION 37: [Employment and Assistance Act, section 11] replaces the use of an affirmation by the signature of each recipient with the use of a confirmation by a signed statement of each recipient.
SECTION 38: [Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, section 11] replaces the use of an affirmation by the signature of each recipient with the use of a confirmation by a signed statement of each recipient.