January 2024 Newsletter: News from the BCLI!
January 30, 2024
BY British Columbia Law Institute
Dementia + Decision-Making
The CCEL Dementia + Decision-Making Project is an initiative to support the rights of people living with dementia in making decisions about their care and well-being. We have developed a package of resources – videos, practical guides, information pamphlets and decision-making flow charts – to share practical and legal information about these issues.
This initiative is intended to support people living with dementia, as well as family or friend caregivers and care partners, and health care providers. The resources were developed based on the information gathered from all these perspectives to ensure that these materials can best serve these audiences. The full package of resources can be found on the CCEL Dementia + Decision-Making Project webpage here.
Renovate the Public Hearing Consultation Paper
BCLI is exploring improvements to BC’s legislation on public engagement when a local government is enacting a land-use bylaw. Our Renovate the Public Hearing Project provides an opportunity to think about public engagement on land use from first principles, consider new insights into group deliberation, and create a better way for local governments to engage the public. The Consultation Paper on Renovating the Public Hearing gives readers information on the current BC law, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a range of options for reform.
Our consultation paper, a short backgrounder, and a link to our survey are all available on the project page.
Share your comments before March 15, 2024.
The AI and Civil Liability Project was mentioned by Dr. Kristen Thomasen, a member of the AI & Civil Liability Project Committee, in testifying on behalf of LEAF before the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology in Ottawa on 28 November 2023. The Standing Committee was considering Part 3 of Bill C-27, which contains the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act.
Dr. Peter Chan, a geriatric psychiatrist and UBC clinical professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry, encouraged members of the Elder Law Section to use Undue Influence Recognition and Prevention: A Guide for Legal Practitioners when he addressed the Section on 17 January.
Are you interested in learning more about the Renovate the Public Hearing Public Consultation process? The CBABC is hosting an virtual information session on this project in which Bruce Woolley KC, Ed Wilson, and BCLI staff lawyers will provide an overview of the key law reform issues on which BCLI is seeking public input. CBA members who are interested in learning more about this project and potentially responding to the consultation are encouraged to join the virtual information session on February 12, 2024 at 12pm. Registration is through the CBA here.
BCLI congratulates the Honourable Steven Point, OC, OBC, on being named an officer of the Order of Canada. We are honoured to count Steven Point as one of the members of the Advisory Committee for BCLI’s Reconciling Crown Legal Frameworks Program.
BCLI is accepting applications for summer students in conjunction with opportunities offered through Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. The position offered through TRU is part of the Law Foundation of BC’s Public Interest Work Placement Program and the position offered through U of T is part of the Callwood Program in Aboriginal Law. Interested students from these two faculties are encouraged to contact their career services office for information on how to apply.
ALISON WILKINSON
The Lasting Impact of BCLI’s Guide to Gender Diversity in Legal Writing
KEVIN ZAKRESKI
Spotlight on renovating the public hearing: When should the public hearing not be held?
KEVIN ZAKRESKI
Public engagement on phase two of Family Law Act modernization now open
