The Legislature Returns

MLAs are returning to the Legislature tomorrow for a new Throne Speech, officially launching the next session of the 43rd Parliament.

Ahead of that return, we wanted to bring you up to speed on everything that happened during the previous session, including the major bills that were debated and passed.

The most recent session of the 43rd Parliament was a busy one, with legislation passed that will affect everything from public safety and healthcare to housing, labour rules, and energy policy.

Below is a summary of the bills passed during that session.

And yes - we plan to provide these legislative roundups after future sittings as well, so you can stay informed about what’s happening inside the Legislature and why it matters.

Whether it’s through our newsletters, email updates, or in-depth reports, we’re committed to breaking down complex legislation and explaining what it means for British Columbians.

If you value this work, please consider supporting it with a donation.

Now, on to the Bills:

Public Safety, Emergency Management,
and Consumer Protection

The Intimate Images Protection Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 17), 2025 strengthens protections for victims of non-consensual image sharing. It clarifies the Civil Resolution Tribunal’s role in handling these claims, allows cases to proceed through Provincial Court, sets a four-year limitation period for penalties, and authorizes the collection of information to help affected individuals mitigate harm.

The Sexual Violence Policy Act (Bill 18), 2025 requires post-secondary institutions to implement comprehensive sexual violence policies. It mandates clear procedures for disclosures and complaints, establishes advisory committees, requires training, and obliges institutions to publish annual reports evaluating prevention and response efforts.

The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Amendment Act (No. 2) (Bill 28), 2025 increases oversight of the credit industry. It bans upfront payment for credit repair services, allows free credit freezes and security alerts, guarantees free monthly access to credit scores, and creates a formal process for correcting inaccurate credit information.

Education and Community Services

The School Amendment Act (Bill 19), 2025 updates the School Act to explicitly allow school boards to operate licensed childcare programs on school property. It broadens participation by referring to “children” rather than “students” and shifts the cost-recovery standard to “reasonable” costs.

The Child, Family and Community Service Amendment Act (Bill 29), 2025 formalizes short-term child safety planning agreements lasting up to 45 days. These agreements allow authorities to work collaboratively with families during investigations and explicitly include Indigenous Nations and communities.

Infrastructure, Energy, and Commerce

The Construction Prompt Payment Act (Bill 20), 2025 introduces mandatory payment timelines in the construction industry. Owners must pay contractors within 28 days of receiving a proper invoice, with payments flowing down the chain within seven days. The Act also creates a fast-track adjudication process and shortens the builders’ lien holdback period.

The Energy Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 31), 2025 enables co-ownership of major electricity infrastructure projects, including transmission lines developed with First Nations. It also gives the province new authority to regulate high-intensity electricity use, including activities such as cryptocurrency mining and large-scale data processing.

Healthcare

The Vaping Product Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act (Bill 24), 2025 gives the province a direct legal mechanism to recover healthcare costs linked to vaping-related illnesses. The legislation allows the use of population-level evidence, applies retroactively, and allocates liability based on market share or risk contribution.

The Mental Health Amendment Act (No. 2) (Bill 32), 2025 updates rules governing psychiatric care and detention, clarifying treatment authority and streamlining oversight across facilities and approved homes.

Legal, Governance, and Financial Reforms

The Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2) (Bill 21), 2025 restructures vehicle insurance-related health cost recoveries and modernizes child guardianship rules, including explicit recognition of Indigenous cultural and legal considerations.

The Statutes Act (Bill 22), 2025 modernizes the publication of provincial laws by designating official online consolidations as legal records.

The Regulations Act (Bill 23), 2025 establishes a digital-first framework for regulations, with online versions serving as official legal proof.

Labour and Employment

The Employment Standards (Serious Illness or Injury Leave) Amendment Act (Bill 30), 2025 extends unpaid, job-protected leave to up to 27 weeks for employees facing serious illness or injury.

Municipal Affairs

The Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 25), 2025 expands provincial authority over local land-use planning, requiring municipalities to permit small-scale multi-unit housing in formerly single-family zones and removing parking minimums for certain housing types.

Other Legislation

The Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2) (Bill 27), 2025 allows school boards to acquire land for educational infrastructure, including housing, and strengthens confidentiality protections for municipal–Indigenous negotiations.

At the British Columbia Institute, we’re a small team - but we’re committed to tracking every bill, debate, and decision that comes out of the Legislature.

With your support, we can continue providing timely updates and breaking down what these changes actually mean.

If you value this work, please consider making a donation today:

Your generosity helps keep British Columbians informed and engaged in the legislative process.

Thank you for your continued support, and stay tuned as we break down the upcoming budget.