CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

William A. Buholzer — Young, Anderson, Vancouver

Broad Local Government Powers: Has Anything Changed?

• how the Community Charter delegates powers
• does Dillon’s Rule still operate?
• case law on the “broad powers” approach

William A. Buholzer — Young, Anderson, Vancouver

Local Government Elections and Campaign Financing

• broad overview of election legislation
• the role of election bylaws
• other voting
• recent election reforms and court decisions

Patricia J. Kendall — Young, Anderson, Vancouver

Ethical Issues For Local Elected Officials

• conflict of interest in local government setting
• breach of confidentiality: R v. Skakun
• who is your client?—advising local governments, council, and board members

Olga Rivkin — Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP, Vancouver

Networking Break

District Energy Systems: Coming to a Neighbourhood Near You?

• how do district energy systems work?
• how are they financed and delivered?
• can owners be compelled to connect?

Michael J. Hargraves — Stewart McDannold Stuart, Victoria 

Networking Lunch (provided)

• what’s in the new legislation?
• how does it compare with provincial and federal A-G legislation and municipal A-G’s in other provinces?
• what’s likely to change?

Lindsay A. Parcells — Lidstone & Company, Vancouver

Challenging Local Government Decisions: The Process, the Limitation Periods, the Standard of Review, and the Parties

• choice of process: statutory, judicial review, or common law?
• special limitation periods
• the standard of review: does Catalyst Paper take us back to future?
• who has standing?—special considerations for rate payer and interest groups

L. John Alexander — Cox Taylor, Victoria

Networking Break

• statutory consultation obligations
• ministerial and inspector approvals and the delegation of related consultation to local governments
• honour of the Crown: are local governments directly implicated?

Gwendoline C. Allison — Foy Allison Law Group, West Vancouver

Rapid Fire Round Table