Fair Rules Archives - Page 2 of 2

Measuring gender pay rates helping close the gap

June 12, 2024/in Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers/by Jim Zeeben

Pay equity is one of the keys to unlocking productivity in our workforce, and vital for helping employers find and keep workers.

In 2023, British Columbia introduced the Pay Transparency Act to formalize a system for employers to ensure employee compensation was not being influenced by gender.

Women in BC earn 17% less than men, based on median hourly wages. The disparity is higher for Indigenous, racialized and newcomer women.

The province recently launched an online reporting tool for BC employers to prepare pay transparency reports, which are a legal requirement. By Nov. 1, all B.C. employers with 1,000 or more employees are required to prepare and post reports about their gender-pay gaps.

The requirement has been introduced in stages to give employers time to prepare.

Nov. 1, 2023: BC Public Service and the six largest Crown corporations (ICBC, BC Hydro, WorkSafeBC, BC Housing, BC Lottery Corporation and BC Transit)
Nov. 1, 2024: all employers with 1,000 employees or more
Nov. 1, 2025: all employers with 300 employees or more
Nov. 1, 2026: all employers with 50 employees or more

All employers in BC are required to include salary or wage information on all publicly posted jobs.

Drawing on data from Statistics Canada and pay transparency reports posted by employers last year, the province’s first annual report provides an overview of the gender pay gap in BC by sector, employment type and intersectional identities.

New rules for short-term rentals effective May 1

May 1, 2024/in Fair Rules, Government Local, Government Provincial, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act took effect today. Among the changes, according to the province, are:

Short-term rentals can only be offered in the principal residence of a host, plus one additional unit, secondary suite or laneway home/garden suite on the property.
Strata hotels and motels that have been operating in a manner similar to a hotel or motel before Dec. 8, 2023, and that meet select criteria moving forward, will be exempt from the Principal Residence Requirement.
Non-conforming use of property will no longer apply to short-term rentals.
Short-term rental hosts will be required to display a valid business licence number on their listing.
Short-term rental platforms will be required to share data with the Province.

If the new rules aren’t followed, fines can be levied ranging from $500 to $10,000 per day, depending on who is operating the rental.

BC Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon told the Times Colonist that short-term rentals will be available on a smaller scale as the new rules aim to stop people from taking away large numbers of housing units that could serve as homes for people.

New Rules for STRs

Amalgamation committee taking shape this spring

April 24, 2024/in Fair Rules, Government Local, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

Talk is turning to action on the latest attempt to pursue municipal amalgamation. Invitations to serve on the Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly have been sent to 10,000 residents in the two communities. They have until May 30 to confirm whether they will participate.

From there, 48 people will be selected through a randomized lottery process that fairly represents the population of both municipalities. Finally, the committee will come together over eight Saturdays starting in September and wrapping up in April. At that point, they will produce a report outlining the pros and cons of merging Greater Victoria’s two largest municipalities.

Measuring gender pay rates helping close the gap

New rules for short-term rentals effective May 1

Amalgamation committee taking shape this spring

Understanding IP helps creators protect business

Report offers insight into valuable non-profit sector

Growing Langford gets its own electoral district

BC’s minimum wage jumps June 1 to $16.75/hour

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