AdminLawBC.ca

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Agricultural Land Commission

The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is an independent provincial agency responsible for administering the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). The ALR is the limited physical land base on which agricultural products can be grown in BC and where land is zoned in favour of agriculture uses. The ALC and ALR are established under the Agricultural Land Commission Act. The purpose as set out in the...

Architectural Institute of BC

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is an independent, professional self-regulatory body established in 1920 by provincial statute – the Architects Act. It is the AIBC’s mandate to regulate the profession of architecture within the province in the public interest. To meet this responsibility, the AIBC has established a process to receive and investigate complaints and, when...

Association of BC Forest Professionals

The practice of professional forestry is a regulated activity in British Columbia. The Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) is responsible for registering and regulating British Columbia’s professional foresters and forest technologists. It administers and enforces the Foresters Act and sets and enforces codes of conduct and standards of practice for members. The ABCFP is empowered...

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC

Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia is the business name of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia. Engineers and Geoscientists BC regulates and governs these professions under the authority of the Professional Governance Act. We are charged with protecting the public interest by setting and maintaining high academic, experience...

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BC College of Nursing Professionals

The BC College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) protects the public through the regulation of licensed practical nurses (LPN), nurse practitioners (NP), registered nurses (RN) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPN). This includes setting standards of practice, assessing nursing education programs and addressing complaints about BCCNP registrants.

BC Human Rights Tribunal

The BC Human Rights Tribunal is an independent body created by the BC Human Rights Code. The tribunal cannot deal with any other type of discrimination. The tribunal is responsible for receiving human rights complaints. The Tribunal screens complaints to see if they set out facts showing discrimination under the Code, and that they are filed within the 6 month timeframe. If it accepts a...

BC Institute of Agrologists

The BC Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) is responsible for registering and regulating British Columbia’s professional agrologists. It administers and enforces the Agrologists Act, and sets and enforces codes of conduct and standards of practice for members. BCIA represents over 1200 professionals working within agrology in British Columbia. Persons who hold themselves out to be a professional...

BC Oil & Gas Commission

The BC Oil and Gas Commission (BCOGC) is a regulatory agency under the Oil and Gas Activities Act. The BC Oil and Gas Commission has responsibility for overseeing oil and gas operations in British Columbia, including exploration, development, pipeline transportation and reclamation. The Commission’s core roles include: Reviewing and assessing applications for industry activity...

BC Review Board

The British Columbia Review Board (BCRB) is an administrative tribunal, established by the Criminal Code of Canada. Its purpose is to make decisions and orders concerning the liberty of individuals whom the courts have found to be not criminally responsible for acts committed while they were suffering from a mental disorder, or whose mental disorder makes them unfit to stand trial on criminal...

British Columbia Securities Commission

The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating securities trading in BC through the administration of the Securities Act. The BCSC regulates to protect investors and market integrity, and can: Impose requirements Provide guidance Monitor compliance and demands corrective action Take enforcement action...

British Columbia Utilities Commission

The BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) is an independent regulatory agency of the provincial government that operates under and administers the Utilities Commission Act. The Commission is responsible for ensuring that ratepayers receive safe, reliable, and non-discriminatory energy services at fair rates from the utilities it regulates, and that shareholders of those utilities are afforded a...

Building Code Appeal Board

The Building Code Appeal Board has operated since 1973. Its role is to decide on matters of interpretation and application of the British Columbia Building Code when there is a dispute between a party and the local authority that enforces the code. The Board is made up of subject matter experts and operates independently from the government. Board decisions are final and binding. The board...

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Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal

The Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal (CART) is an independent body established by Parliament under the Canada Agricultural Products Act. It provides independent oversight of federal agencies' use of Administrative Monetary Penalties in relation to agriculture and agri-food.  Anyone who disagrees with a notice of violation can request a review under the Agriculture and Agri-Food...

Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ensures the security and prosperity of Canada by managing the access of people and goods to and from Canada. Since December 2003, the CBSA has been a part of the Public Safety Portfolio and is responsible for a broad range of legislation, regulations and related programs that affect both imports and exports. The Customs Act, the Customs Tariff, the Excise...

Canada Industrial Relations Board

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) is an independent, representation, quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for deciding federal labour relations issues through the interpretation and administration of Part I (Industrial Relations), and certain provisions of Part II (Occupational Health and Safety) of the Canada Labour Code. The CIRB promotes harmonious industrial relations through the...

Canada Revenue Agency

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers tax, benefits, and related programs, and ensures compliance on behalf of governments across Canada, thereby contributing to the ongoing economic and social well-being of Canadians. More          specifically, the CRA administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories, as...

Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board

The Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board (CCPERB) is an independent administrative tribunal that reports to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. As outlined in the Cultural Property Export and Import Act, the Review Board is responsible for: Certifying cultural property for income tax purposes Reviewing export permit applications that have been refused Determining fair cash...

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Created in 1997 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) delivers inspection and quarantine programs related to foods, plants and animals in 18 regions and 160 field offices across Canada. Its mandate is to safeguard Canada’s food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe and high-quality food depends. The CFIA enforces policies and...

Canadian Forces Grievance Board

The Canadian Forces Grievance Board (CFGB) provides an independent and external review of military grievances referred to it under s. 29 of the National Defence Act and provides findings and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Canadian Forces member who submitted the grievance. Since it began operations in June 2000, the CFGB has established itself as a centre of...

Canadian Grain Commission

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is the regulator of Canada’s grain handling industry and is the agency that certifies the quality and quantity of Canadian grain shipments by: regulating all aspects of grain handling in Canada through grain quality and quantity assurance programs carrying out scientific research to understand grain quality and safety and to support the grain grading...

Canadian Human Rights Commission

The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) is an independent body established in 1977 to administer the Canadian Human Rights Act and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Employment Equity Act. Both laws ensure that the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination are followed in all areas of federal jurisdiction. The CHRC works with employers, service providers,...

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

Created in 1998, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (Tribunal) has a statutory mandate to apply the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) to complaints of discrimination that have been referred to it for inquiry.  The purpose of the CHRA is to uphold the principle that all individuals should have an equal opportunity to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have and to have...

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), a Special Operating Agency (SOA) associated with Industry Canada, is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property in Canada. Intellectual property includes: Patents, which cover new inventions or any new and useful improvement of an existing invention. Trade-marks, which are a word or words...

Canadian International Trade Tribunal

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) hears appeals from decisions under the Customs Act, Special Import Measures Act and the Excise Tax Act. The Tribunal provides Canadian and international businesses with access to fair, transparent and timely processes for the investigation of trade remedy cases and complaints concerning federal government procurement and for the adjudication of...

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Established in 2000 to replace the Atomic Energy Control Board (which was founded in 1946), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) protects the health, safety and security of Canadians as well as the environment, and respects Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Licensees and organizations applying for licenses are subject to many rules and...

Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an independent public organization that regulates and supervises the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications systems. The CRTC’s mandate is to ensure that both the broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public. The CRTC uses the objectives in the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act...

Certified General Accountants Association of BC

The Certified General Accountants Association of BC (CGA-BC) is the governing and regulatory body responsible for the training and certification of BC’s more than 15,000 CGAs and CGA students. It is responsible for training, certifying, and upholding the professional standards of its students and members. Founded in 1951, it derives its authority through the provincial Accountants (Certified...

College of Applied Biology

The College of Applied Biology (CAB) makes sure that a member practicing applied biology in British Columbia has the necessary knowledge and skills. No one in BC can call themselves a professional biologist, a registered biology technologist, or an applied biology technician without registration in the CAB. The College of Applied Biology Act is the first legislation of its kind in North America,...

College of Chiropractors of British Columbia

The College of Chiropractors of British Columbia (CCBC) is the regulatory body established in 1934 under the Chiropractors Act for the registration and regulation for chiropractic doctors in BC. In 2009, CCBC transitioned under the Health Professions Act. Every doctor of chiropractic practising in BC must be a registered member of CCBC. The Board of CCBC establishes rulings for members subsequent...

College of Dental Surgeons of BC

The College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC) is a public interest regulator that regulates 3,300 dentists and 5,700 certified dental assistants (CDAs) under the Health Professions Act. CDSBC sets requirements to practice; establishes, monitors and enforces standards of conduct and care; monitors the continuing education of registrants; investigates complaints; and where necessary disciplines...

College of Dental Technicians of BC

The College of Dental Technicians of BC (CDTBC) regulates the profession of dental technology in BC. It establishes, monitors, and enforces standards of practice to enhance the quality of practice, according to the Health Professions Act and regulations and bylaws of the CDTBC. The CDTBC’s responsibilities include: Setting entry qualifications Administering licensure examinations...

College of Occupational Therapists of BC

The College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC) is responsible for ensuring the safe, ethical, and competent practice of occupational therapy in BC. It operates under BC’s Health Professions Act and the Occupational Therapists Regulation. All occupational therapists who practice in BC must be registered members of the COTBC. The COTBC is responsible for: Setting standards for...

College of Opticians of BC

The College of Opticians of BC (COBC) establishes qualifications for opticians and works to ensure opticians are providing competent and effective care. Guided by the Health Professions Act, the COBC is the health regulatory college for all opticians in BC. The COBC regulates and improves the practice by ensuring licensed opticians provide high quality, competent and professional care to help...

College of Pharmacists of BC

The College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC) is the regulatory body for pharmacy in British Columbia and is responsible for registering pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and licensing pharmacies throughout the province. Founded in 1891, the CPBC is a vital link in the chain of trust that connects patients, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and as such, it is accountable to the public. The CPBC’...

College of Physical Therapists of BC

The College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC) is a not-for-profit organization responsible for regulating the practice of physical therapists in the public interest. CPTBC is a regulatory organization that operates within the legislative framework provided by the Health Professions Act. The CPTBC sets standards for entry into the profession, registers physical therapists, sets...

College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC’s (the College) overriding interest is the protection and safety of patients, and the quality of care they receive from licensed physicians in BC. The College maintains high educational standards and licensure requirements and administers a number of quality assurance programs. The College also manages a comprehensive process for addressing public...

College of Psychologists of BC

The College of Psychologists of British Columbia (CPBC) is the regulatory body for the profession of psychology in BC. The CPBC's role is to protect the public interest by regulating the practice of psychology and monitoring the practice of its registrants. It sets the standards for the competent and ethical practice of psychology, promoting excellence and taking action when standards are not met...

College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHBC)

The College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHBC) regulates three professions in the public interest under the Health Professions Act and related regulations, as well as the CSHBC bylaws and policies.  Our registrants include: Audiologists Hearing instrument practitioners Speech-language pathologists CSHBC sets requirements to practice; establishes...

College of Traditional Chinese Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC

The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia (CTCMA) is the regulatory body for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in BC and is responsible for registering Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturist throughout the province. CTCMA is an expansion of the original College of Acupuncturists of British Columbia....

College of Veterinarians of BC

The College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (CVBC) is the statutory body created to serve the interests of the public and animals through the regulation and advancement of the veterinary profession in BC.  All veterinarians practising in the province must be registered and governed by the CVBC as the statutory body created by...

Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) is an independent agency created under the RCMP Act to ensure that public complaints made about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. The CPC is not part of the RCMP. The CPC has jurisdiction over a complaint from a member of the public that concerns the conduct of an RCMP member while performing a policing...

Community Care and Assisted Living Appeal Board

The Community Care & Assisted Living Appeal Board (CCALAB) is an administrative tribunal that hears appeals under section 29 of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. The board's purpose is to provide a specialized, impartial, accessible and cost-effective forum for hearing appeals of licensing, registration and certification decisions regarding community care and assisted living...

Community Care and Assisted Living Appeal Board

The Community Care & Assisted Living Appeal Board (CCALAB) is an administrative tribunal that hears appeals under section 29 of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. The board's purpose is to provide a specialized, impartial, accessible and cost-effective forum for hearing appeals of licensing, registration and certification decisions regarding community care and assisted living...

Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act, and the Precious Metals Marking Act. As an independent law enforcement agency, it ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace. The basic operating assumption of the...

Consumer Protection BC

Consumer Protection BC is the regulator of a variety of sectors and specific consumer transactions in the province. Our mandate is to license and inspect our regulated businesses, respond to consumer inquiries, investigate alleged violations of consumer protection laws, classify all general release motion pictures and provide information and referrals to consumers. For more information about...

Copyright Board of Canada

The Copyright Board of Canada is an economic regulatory body empowered by the Copyright Act  to establish, either mandatorily or at the request of an interested party, the royalties to be paid for the use of copyrighted works, when the administration of such copyright is entrusted to a collective-administration society. It also has the right to supervise agreements between users and...

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Elections Canada

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency headed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, who reports directly to Parliament. The agency has to be prepared at all times to conduct a federal general election, by-election or referendum, administer the political financing provisions of the Canada Elections Act, monitor compliance and enforce electoral legislation....

Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal

The Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal was established in September 2002. It is an independent quasi-judicial agency established to hear appeals of the following: Ministry of Social Development decisions that refuse, reduce or discontinue income, disability assistance or a supplement under the: Employment and Assistance Act Employment and Assistance for Persons with...

Employment Standards Branch

The Employment Standards Branch administers the Employment Standards Act and Regulations, which set minimum standards of wages and working conditions in most workplaces in BC. The purposes of the Act are: To ensure that employees in BC receive at least basic standards of compensation and conditions of employment To promote the fair treatment of employees and employers To...

Employment Standards Tribunal of BC

The Employment Standards Tribunal is an administrative tribunal established under the Employment Standards Act with a mandate to conduct appeals of determinations issued by the Director of Employment Standards. The tribunal may also reconsider any order or decision it makes. The tribunal is the second level of appeal for employment standards matters. If you work in a non-union workplace,...

Environmental Appeal Board

The Environmental Appeal Board (EAB) is established under the Environmental Management Act. It is an independent tribunal that hears appeals of certain decisions made by government officials related to environmental issues. The EAB hears appeals under the Environmental Management Act, Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act, Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuels) Act,...

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Farm Industry Review Board

The BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) provides general supervision of BC’s marketing boards and commissions through rules, regulations and policy direction; hears appeals from decisions under the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and hears complaints and conducts studies under the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act. BCFIRB is responsible...

Farm Products Council of Canada

Established in 1972 as the National Farm Products Council, the council was renamed in 2009 to the Farm Products Council of Canada (FPCC). The FPCC mission is to work with its partners to ensure that the supply management and promotion-research systems have the flexibility needed to respond to current and future challenges in a flexible, accountable and transparent manner. The FPCC supervises...

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) derives its mandate from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act, and ensures compliance with federal consumer protection laws that apply to banks and federally incorporated trust, loan and insurance companies. The FCAC is an independent body working to protect and inform consumers of financial products and services. It was established in 2001 by...

Financial Institutions Commission

The Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM) is a regulatory agency of the provincial Ministry of Finance. FICOM is responsible for administering nine statutes that regulate the pension, financial services and real estate sectors in British Columbia, for the protection of the public. The primary focus of this regulation is to ensure that: Institutions and pension plans in these sectors...

Financial Services Tribunal

The Financial Services Tribunal (FST) was established in 2004 under the Financial Institutions Act. It hears appeals from individuals and institutions who disagree with enforcement decisions made by any of the following: Insurance Council of British Columbia Real Estate Council of British Columbia Superintendent of Real Estate Superintendent of Pensions Registrar of Mortgage Brokers...

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada's financial intelligence unit, was created in 2000. It is an independent agency intended to contribute to the public safety of Canadians and help protect the integrity of Canada's financial system through the detection and deterrence of money laundering and terrorist financing. It is accountable to Parliament for...

Forest Appeals Commission

The Forest Appeals Commission (FAC) was established under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act and continues under the Forest and Range Practices Act. The FAC is an independent tribunal that hears appeals of certain decisions made by government agencies regarding the use and management of forest and range resources. The FAC hears appeals of decisions and orders issued under the...

Forest Practices Board

By law, the Forest Practices Board must audit government and industry forestry practices, and deal with complaints from the public regarding forest practices and government enforcement. In addition, it may appeal enforcement decisions and penalties imposed by government, seek review of government decisions to approve plans for forestry operations, and carry out special investigations. The...

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Health Professions Review Board

The Health Professions Review Board (HPRB) is an administrative tribunal created under the Health Professions Act (the Act).   It provides independent reviews of certain decisions made by the self-governing colleges of designated health professions regarding investigation and disposition of complaints against registrants (health professionals who are college members), how quickly they...

Hospital Appeal Board

The Hospital Appeal Board (HAB) is an independent appeal tribunal established by the Hospital Act that hears appeals of decisions made by hospital boards of management regarding permits to practice in a hospital. It provides medical practitioners with an avenue of appeal from hospital board decisions affecting their hospital privileges. Its mandate is to hear and decide appeals regarding: A...

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Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is Canada's largest independent administrative tribunal. It is responsible for resolving immigration and refugee matters efficiently, fairly and in accordance with the law. The IRB decides who needs refugee protection among the thousands of claimants who come to Canada annually. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the IRB is made up...

Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia (ICABC) has almost 11,000 members and over 1,800 students. Established in 1905, ICABC’s mission is to foster public confidence in the chartered accountant (CA) profession by acting in the public interest and helping members excel by providing exceptional education, regulation, and member services programs. Provincial legislation known...

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Labour Relations Board of British Columbia

The Labour Relations Board is an independent administrative tribunal with the mandate to mediate and settle employment and labour relations matters related to unionized workplaces. The Labour Relations Code governs all aspects of collective bargaining among provincially regulated employers and employees. This includes the acquisition of collective bargaining rights, the process of collective...

Law Society of BC

The Law Society of British Columbia regulates the legal profession in BC, protecting the public interest in the administration of justice by setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct for lawyers. The Law Society ensures the public is well served by legal professionals who are honourable and competent by managing admissions and credentials for new lawyers, providing several...

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Mental Health Review Board

The Mental Health Review Board (MHRB) is an independent administrative tribunal that reviews panel hearings under the Mental Health Act. The MHRB's mandate is based on involuntary psychiatric patients’ periodic rights to fair and timely reviews of their loss of liberty. The board conducts hearings to review and decide whether persons detained in or through any designated mental health facility...

Military Police Complaints Commission

The Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) is a federal independent body, established by Parliament. The MPCC was created to render the handling of complaints concerning the Military Police more transparent and accessible, and to ensure that both complainants and members of the Military Police are dealt with fairly and impartially. The MPCC reviews and investigates complaints concerning...

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NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Secretariat

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Secretariat, comprised of a Canadian Section, a Mexican Section and a United States Section, is responsible for the administration of the dispute settlement provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. It administers the mechanisms specified under the NAFTA to resolve trade disputes between national industries and/or governments in a...

National Energy Board

Established in 1959, the National Energy Board (NEB) regulates international and interprovincial aspects of the oil, gas, and electric utility industries. The purpose of the NEB is to regulate pipelines, energy development and trade in the Canadian public interest. It regulates the following: the construction and operation of interprovincial and international pipelines pipeline traffic,...

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Office of the Commissioner of the Official Languages

The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages is responsible for protecting language rights and promoting English and French in Canadian society. Reporting directly to Parliament, the Office of the Commissioner has a mandate to ensure that federal institutions comply with the Official Languages Act.  To perform this duty, the Office of the Commissioner carries out...

Office of the Information Commissioner

The Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) was established in 1983 under the Access to Information Act (Canada’s freedom of information legislation) – to assist individuals and organizations who believe that federal institutions have not respected their rights under the Act. The OIC must also ensure that the rights of the government organizations and any involved third parties are respected...

Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The mandate of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) is overseeing compliance with both the Privacy Act, which covers the personal information-handling practices of federal government departments and agencies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, Canada’s private sector privacy law. The Commissioner works independently from any other part of...

Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) was established in 1987 by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act. OSFI is the primary regulator and supervisor of federally regulated deposit-taking institutions, insurance companies, and private pension plans. OSFI monitors and examines these for solvency, liquidity and safety and soundness, and to ensure...

Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal

The Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal (OGAT) is an independent tribunal created under the Oil and Gas Activities Act. The OGAT hears appeals of certain decisions issued by the Oil and Gas Commission under the Oil and Gas Activities Act. The decisions that may be appealed to the OGAT include certain orders, declarations, findings of contravention, administrative penalties and permitting decisions in...

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Parole Board of Canada

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is an independent administrative tribunal that has exclusive authority under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to grant, deny, cancel, terminate or revoke day parole and full parole. The PBC may also order certain offenders to be held in prison until the end of their sentence.  This is called detention during the period of...

Passenger Transportation Board

The Passenger Transportation Board is established under the Passenger Transportation Act.  The board’s primary responsibility is to make decisions on applications relating to the licensing of passenger directed vehicles (e.g., taxis, limousines, shuttle vans) and inter-city buses in British Columbia.  The board receives between 110 and 225 applications a year.   The board also...

Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is an independent body established by Parliament in 1987 under the Patent Act. It protects consumers by ensuring prices charged by manufacturers for patented medicines are not excessive. It does this by reviewing the prices that patentees charge for each individual patented drug product in Canadian markets. If a price is found to be excessive, the...

Property Assessment Appeal Board

The Property Assessment Appeal Board is the second level of appeal for property assessments in BC. If you disagree with a property assessment, you must first appeal to a Property Assessment Review Panel. The board receives appeals on assessments for all types of properties — everything from single family dwellings to farms to major industry. Typical issues deal with: Is the property...

Property Assessment Review Panels

Under the Assessment Act, Property Assessment Review Panels (PARPs) are appointed by the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development to review property assessments. PARP hearings take place between February 1 and March 15 of each year. Each panel has three members, one of whom is appointed as Chair. Panel members are selected on the basis of merit, following an open, transparent and...

Public Service Commission

The Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) is an independent agency mandated under the Public Service Employment Act. The PSC is responsible for ensuring the competence, non-partisanship and representativeness of the public service. It oversees integrity of staffing in the public service and the political impartiality of public servants. It is namely responsible for: Appointing or...

Public Service Labour Relations Board

The Public Service Labour Relations Board (PSLRB) administers collective bargaining and grievance adjudication systems in the federal public service and Parliament. The PSLRB is mandated by the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act.  It is committed to resolving labour relations issues impartially and it provides three main types of...

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Real Estate Council of BC

The Real Estate Council of British Columbia (RECBC) is a regulatory agency established by the provincial government in 1958. Its mandate is to protect the public interest by enforcing the licensing and licensee conduct requirements of the Real Estate Services Act. The RECBC is responsible for: Licensing individuals and brokerages engaged in real estate sales, rental and strata property...

Residential Tenancy Branch

The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services, guided by British Columbia's Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. The RTB provides resources to help individuals know their rights and responsibilities as both landlord and tenant. The branch provides information on the following topics:...

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Safety Standards Appeal Board

The Safety Standards Appeal Board's purpose is to resolve appeals of decisions made under the Safety Standards Act and the Homeowner Protection Act, and to determine if the decisions were fairly made according to the provisions of the legislation. Established under the Safety Standards Act, the board operates at arm’s length from the government in its decision-making. The board hears appeals...

Security Intelligence and Review Committee

The Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) is an independent, external review body that reports to the Parliament of Canada on the operations of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS or the Service). Parliament has given CSIS extraordinary powers to intrude on the privacy of individuals. SIRC ensures that these powers are used legally and appropriately, in order to protect...

Social Security Tribunal

On April 1, 2013, a new Social Security Tribunal (SST) became responsible for appeals. This is a result of the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act being passed into law in 2012. This amended the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act and established the SST and its structure.  The SST provides an independent appeal process for government decisions on Employment...

Society of Notaries Public of BC

The Society of Notaries Public of BC is a professional organization established pursuant to the Notaries Act of British Columbia and has been assigned a duty to regulate the members of The Society. That includes setting a standard for BC Notaries to follow and a process for the handling of complaints submitted by members of the public. The Society's discipline procedures are provided for in the...

STBCAB – Skilled Trades BC Appeal Board

The Skilled Trades BC Appeal Board (STBCAB) was created under the Industry Training Authority Act. The mission of ITAB is to provide individuals affected by decisions of the Industry Training Authority (ITA) and authorized training institutions with reasonable access to a timely and responsive process for review that results in fair and impartial appeal decisions. The STBCAB It is authorized to...

Surface Rights Board of British Columbia

The Surface Rights Board (formerly the Mediation and Arbitration Board) resolves conflicts between land owners (holders of surface rights) and companies or individuals (holders of sub-surface rights) seeking access to land to explore for, and develop, sub-surface resources including oil and natural gas, minerals, coal, and geothermal resources. The Surface Rights Board assists with disputes about...

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Teacher Regulation Branch (K-12 Educators)

The Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) is the branch of the Ministry of Education that administers professional regulation for over 68,000 certified educators in BC. The TRB, created as part of the implementation of the Teachers Act, works within a legislative mandate to ensure that educators in the K-12 school systems meet and maintain the high standards of competence and conduct required to foster...

Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada

The Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC), formerly the Civil Aviation Tribunal, is established under the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada Act. The TATC provides an independent review process for anyone who has been given notice of an administrative or enforcement action taken by the Minister of Transport or the Canadian Transportation Agency under various federal transportation...

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Veterans Review and Appeal Board

The Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) has full and exclusive jurisdiction to hear, determine and deal with applications for review and appeal under the Pension Act, Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act - Part 3 and the War Veterans Allowance Act . All matters related to appeals under this legislation are authorized under the Veterans Review and Appeal...

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Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal

The Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT) is the final level of appeal in the workers' compensation system. Under the Workers Compensation Act, WCAT can hear appeals of most WorkSafeBC Review Division decisions. The Review Division provides the first level review for most WorkSafeBC decisions concerning compensation, assessments and occupational health and safety (prevention). Some Review...

WorkSafe BC – Review Division

WorkSafeBC promotes workplace health and safety in BC by partnering with employers and workers and monitoring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. It provides compensation for injured workers and supports them in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. It makes decisions regarding claims for work-related injuries and disease, assessments for employers...