Ministry of Attorney General Response to COVID-19
The Ministry of Attorney General is proactively responding to COVID-19.
Last Updated: May 22, 2020
Laws & Regulations
- Limitation periods to commence court proceedings are suspended
- Statutory decision-makers can waive, suspend or extend time periods related to their powers
- Essential services cannot be held liable for damages caused by exposure to COVID-19 while continuing to operate
Justice Services
- Information on Parenting Arrangements, Child & Spousal Support and Protection Orders
- Family Justice Services Division Response to COVID-19
- Legal Aid BC is taking applications by phone
Courts
- Ongoing court operations and in-person attendance in B.C.'s justice system
- Information for the Court of Appeal
- Information for the Supreme Court of BC
- Information for the Provincial Court of BC
- Information for the Federal Court
Liquor & Cannabis
- The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) has put safeguards in place to protect customers and clients
- The Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has authorized the production of hand sanitizer
- To support the hospitality sector, restaurants are authorized to sell packaged beer, wine, cider and liquor for take-out delivery, with the purchase of a meal
- The LCRB has temporarily authorized non-medical cannabis retailers to offer reservations of products online
- The LCRB has allowed most liquor licensees, expiring between March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, to defer their renewal fees
ICBC
- ICBC insurance renewals can now be done by phone or email
- You can renew your driver's licence by phone if it is expiring within 90 days
- ICBC has postponed road tests and all other assessments
- ICBC customers can defer monthly payments for up to 90 days
- Visit the ICBC website for a full list of affected services
Gaming
- The BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has suspended all lottery sales through Lotto Express at grocery checkout lanes
- The BCLC lottery prize payout centres in Kamloops and Vancouver are closed and major prize redemptions are taking place through remote processes
- Casinos, bingo halls and community gaming centres are temporarily closed
- Visit the BCLC website for a full list of affected services
Emergency Orders
The Emergency Program Act and related orders help government to respond to disasters and emergencies in B.C. Under a state of emergency, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General can issue orders under authority given to him by the Emergency Program Act.
- Electronic Attendance at Statutory Meetings (COVID-19) Order – May 20, 2020
- Encampment Health and Safety (COVID-19) Victoria Enforcement Order – May 20, 2020
- Electronic Witnessing of Enduring Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements (COVID-19) Order – May 19, 2020
- Electronic Witnessing of Wills (COVID-19) Order – May 19, 2020
- Local Government Finance (COVID-19) Order – May 15, 2020
- Encampment Health and Safety (COVID-19) Vancouver Enforcement Order – May 8, 2020
- Encampment Health and Safety (COVID-19) Order No. 2 – May 8, 2020
- Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process (COVID-19) Order No. 2 – May 1, 2020
- Electronic Attendance at Credit Union Meetings (COVID-19) Order – April 30, 2020
- Employment and Assistance (COVID-19) Order – April 28, 2020
- Protection Against Liability (COVID-19) Order No. 2 – April 22, 2020
- Supreme Court and Family Applications (COVID-19) Order – April 22, 2020
- Electronic Attendance at Corporate Meetings (COVID-19) Order – April 21, 2020
- Prohibition on Unconscionable Prices for Essential Goods and Supplies (COVID-19) Order – April 17, 2020
- Electronic Attendance at Strata Property Meetings (COVID-19) Order – April 15, 2020
- Health Care Labour (COVID-19) – April 10, 2020
- Limitation Periods (COVID-19) Order – April 8, 2020
- Protection Against Liability (COVID-19) Order – April 2, 2020
- Provincial Compliance Officer (COVID-19) Order – March 31, 2020
- Residential Tenancy (COVID-19) Order – March 30, 2020
- Local Authorities and Essential Goods and Supplies (COVID-19) Order – March 26, 2020
- Bylaw Enforcement Officer (COVID-19) Order – March 26, 2020
- Declaration of Provincial State of Emergency – March 18, 2020
Tribunals, Boards & Commissions
Information on tribunals, boards and commissions in response to COVID-19.
