The B.C. government has announced a one-year extension to the deadline for pre-existing owners to file with the Land Owner Transparency Registry (“LOTR”).  Reporting bodies with an interest in land will now have until November 30, 2022 to file a transparency report without incurring penalties.  The government has explained that the rationale behind this extension is…

Canadian businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities who have seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a new subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses. The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (“CERS”) replaces the previous rent support program for businesses. Unlike the previous program, CERS…

Watson Goepel LLP articling student Arthur Cullinan has joined the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver Board as Director of Membership. Having practiced as a mergers and acquisitions solicitor in Dublin, Arthur is now pursuing requalification as a lawyer in Canada and expects to be called to the British Columbia bar in April 2021. Currently working…

On Saturday, November 7th, B.C.’s top health officials announced broad new COVID-19 restrictions which aim to slow the recent surge in new cases across the lower mainland.  These restrictions will be in place from November 7th to November 23, but this period may be extended.  In an apparent effort to mitigate the economic effects of…

The BC Government has launched InBC, a new $500M investment fund designed to support high growth potential businesses and drive economic growth in every region of the province.  Although details of the new investment program are yet to be released, we understand that InBC plans to invest in small and medium-sized B.C. companies in an…

With the introduction of Bill 21-2020, British Columbia has proposed a series of long-awaited amendments to its Wills, Estates, and Succession Act that will modernize the will-making process in the province. The proposed amendments will enable BC Courts to accept a will that is created, recorded, transmitted or stored on an electronic device (such as…

On 30 June 2020, the Business Corporations Act will be amended to introduce a new type of company called a “benefit company”.  While there are legitimate concerns as to whether this new type of company is actually needed, the concept could provide a lucrative marketing opportunity for many B.C. businesses. What are benefit companies? Benefit…