Indigenous Law lawyer Anita Boscariol will present to the Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada on Wednesday, January 27th at 3 PM PST on the topic of Band Council Fiduciary Duty: What is it and What Happens if it’s Breached?. This virtual workshop is free to attend. For more information contact BMAAAC.org.  

In September we reported on the introduction of Bill 21-2020, which included the proposal of a series of long-awaited amendments to B.C.’s Wills, Estates, and Succession Act that would allow a will to be witnessed electronically, by individuals in different physical locations. The valid use of electronic witnessing was enabled by an interim Ministerial Order…

The holidays can be a particularly challenging time for separated parents. Here are a few key tips to help keep the season bright for families. Please contact Laurence Klass of our Family Law Group for more information on co-parenting.    

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…

This is the first post of a new 4-part business startup series created by Watson Goepel LLP corporate lawyer, Anand Athiviraham. When incorporating a new business, budget-conscious entrepreneurs typically, and understandably, focus on minimizing costs. While many free or low-cost online legal resources promise bargain prices, bypassing qualified and tailored legal guidance to help with…

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…

President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada West and Watson Goepel LLP Business Group Partner, Celso Boscariol Q.C., presented recently at a virtual networking event that focused on “Building Bridges between Western Canada & Europe”.  Chamber members met with members of the Belgian Business Club and 8 bilateral European Business organizations in Western…

In August the B.C. government implemented changes to the Workers Compensation Act through Bill 23, which received Royal Assent on August 14, 2020. Several notable changes were introduced; one of these changes widened the “Occupational Disease” framework to capture COVID-19 infection in certain circumstances. Workers Compensation Act Section 238 now reads: (1) Subject to subsection…