Modernizing Language Initiative

All ministries review and update their regulations, policies, programs and services on an ongoing basis to keep British Columbians safe, promote innovation, protect the environment, encourage competitiveness and growth, and to make sure everyone is included and represented.

The Better Regulations for British Columbians (BR4BC) amendment process is one of the ways we modernize regulations. Through BR4BC, small regulatory changes are grouped together and updated at once using an efficient and streamlined process.

2024 BR4BC updates include:

• 224 instances of outdated gendered and binary language were amended, in line with B.C.’s commitment to equity and inclusion. To date, over 1,600 instances have now been removed from B.C.’s regulations.
• 47 digital option amendments were made. These updates allow for the inclusion of things like electronic payment and virtual attendance at meetings, helping to create efficiencies and reduce regulatory burden on citizens and businesses.
• Removing measures that have become unnecessary or irrelevant by repealing:
  • Section 4.1 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act
  • Section 15 and Form 9 of the Fare Infraction Review and Referral Regulation
• Updating provisions and wording in the Business Number Regulation, Cleaner Gasoline Regulation, Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, Municipal Wastewater Regulation, Waste Discharge Regulation, Carbon Neutral Government Regulation, Drinking Water Protection Regulation, Pool Regulation, Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation and the Motor Vehicle Act Regulation.

Modernizing Language Guide

The Government of British Columbia is committed to modern, equitable and inclusive legislation, policies and service delivery. As part of that commitment, it is important to ensure that language used in Government products is accessible, up-to-date and reflective of all people in the province. The Modernizing Language Guide has been developed as a resource to help identify and address outdated language and requirements within legislation, policies, forms and all other public-facing materials.