B.C. Introduces Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act
British Columbia is taking further action on climate change with the introduction of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act, which will save consumers money while reducing emissions.
- The new legislation will put into law the 2008 throne speech commitment to set vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards equivalent to those laid out in California’s 2004 regulation.
- On average, consumers will save $3,600 in fuel costs over the life of a new vehicle (based on fuel at $1/litre). These savings will pay back any increases in vehicle costs in about three years.
- When fully implemented in 2016, the standards will achieve a reduction of personal vehicle GHG emissions of nearly 600,000 tonnes annually in B.C.
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Province Strengthens Public Health System
Patients with concerns about the quality of their experience in the public health-care system will have access to a new, independent process to address their concerns as a result of legislation introduced by Health Minister George Abbott.
- The Patient Care Quality Review Board Act will ensure patient complaints are dealt with in a consistent, timely and transparent way.
- Each health authority will be required to create a patient care quality office that will provide for a transparent, accessible and standardized approach to receiving and addressing quality concerns.
- If patients are dissatisfied with how the patient care quality office in the health authority handled a complaint, they will have the option of taking their concerns to the patient care quality review boards for an independent review.
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British Columbia Protects Reservist Jobs
The Province stepped in this week with legislation aimed at protecting the jobs of reservists while on active service with the Canadian Forces. Amendments to the Employment Standards Act will provide job protection for reservists who temporarily leave their civilian employment in order to serve with the reserve forces.
- The unpaid leave would apply to reservists deployed for overseas missions, including pre-deployment and post-deployment duties related to the operation or domestic emergencies.
- Employers will not be required to continue benefit and pension contributions while the employee is on leave.
- The new provisions apply to all employers covered by the Employment Standards Act.
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