News & Events - Letters & Editorials
BC Chamber of Commerce Letter re: Bill 43, Section 32
May 7, 2008
The Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier, British Columbia
PO Box 9041
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC
V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Campbell,
The BC Chamber of Commerce would like to express its deep concern in regards to section 32 of the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No.2), 2008 (Bill 43), which makes an amendment to the Law and Equity Act.
Although the Chamber acknowledges the Provincial Government’s intent to protect itself and its taxpayers against undeserved claims for compensation when public property is repurposed without consent of the tenure or rights holder, we and our members are concerned that the amendment so thoroughly overturns the common law practice that had long been in place, protecting the business owners whose investments rely on Crown Tenures against the considerable losses they might incur. In short, by attempting to protect one party, another has been put in danger.
Furthermore, while most larger companies may well have the secondary protection of a compensation agreement in place, smaller companies (which make up the bulk of British Columbia’s businesses) for the most part do not. This puts small businesses that rely on Crown Property Agreements, and large businesses that may lack a compensation agreement, at serious risk.
Putting these businesses in this position is unjust, and it is unacceptable. The BC Chamber of Commerce respectfully requests that section 32 be stricken from Bill 43.
Sincerely,
John Winter
President & CEO
BC Chamber of Commerce
CC: Hon. Colin Hansen, Hon. Carole Taylor, Hon. Rick Thorpe