This page was updated April 8, 2021
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak both the BC and Federal governments have passed emergency legislation. This page will collect links to those statutes and capture some basic information about their passage into law.
The BC Government has emergency powers under the Public Health Act (SBC 2008 c. 28) and the Emergency Program Act (RSBC 1996 c.111). Orders made under the Public Health Act can be made orally during the emergency.
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Orders made under the Public Health Act |
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News updates from the Public safety and Solicitor General |
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A listing of COVID-19 related regulations, orders in council and ministerial orders (though not exhaustive) |
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Province-wide restrictions made by under the Public Health Act |
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A list of general emergency support and information from the province |
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Legislative Assembly COVID-19 updates, including their Safety Plan |
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Progress of Bills in BC (2020-2021) |
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Ministerial Orders released by the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General in relation to the state of emergency (beginning with order 2020_M082) |
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BC Courts have released several notices and announcements concerning their operations during the COVID-19 outbreak. Each court has a section on their homepage listing these notices |
The following Ministerial Orders have been made in relation to COVID-19:
Ministerial orders (2021)
M003, M005, M010, M012, M013, M016, M017, M028, M032, M033, M051, M062, M083, M108, M119, M124 & M129.
Ministerial orders (2020)
M082-M086, M089, M091, M093, M094, M098, M105, M114, M115, M116, M120, M121, M128, M133, M138, M139, M150, M152, M159, M161, M162, M166, M167, M168, M179, M180, M183, M192, M193, M195, M220, M248, M257, M307, M309, M314, M321, M330, M358, M376, M381, M382, M389, M405, M416, M419, M420, M425, M429, M431 M453, M456 & M480.
BC statutes related to COVID-19
The following acts have been passed since the emergency was declared:
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Title |
Chapter number |
Bill number |
Royal assent date |
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2020 SBC 5 |
Bill 15 |
Mar. 23, 2020 |
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2020 SBC 6 |
Bill 16 |
Mar. 23, 2020 |
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2020 SBC 8 |
Bill 19 |
Jul. 8, 2020 |
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2020 SBC 19 |
Bill 18 |
Aug. 14, 2020 |
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2020 SBC 23 |
Bill 2 |
Dec. 17, 2020 |
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2021 SBC 4 |
Bill 6 |
Mar. 11, 2021 |
The Federal Government draws its emergency powers from the Emergencies Act (RSC 1985 c. 22 (4th Supp.) and the Quarantine Act (SC 2005, c. 20)
Found from the Progress of Bills from the Parliament of Canada, the following acts have been passed since the emergency was declared:
- Transport Canada has released interim orders and guidance outlining temporary rules affecting transit by aviation, rail, road and marine vehicles during the state of emergency, as well as listing links to other government resources. They can be found here:
- BC Ferries - the interim order from Transport Canada affecting BC Ferries can be found here:
Municipalities have legislation which allows them to declare emergencies and take action in a crisis. On May 26, 2020 the Provincial Government suspended all municipal states of emergency, except for the city of Vancouver, citing a need to centralize a response province-wide in Ministerial Order M083
Vancouver’s emergency powers are granted in s.173 of the Vancouver Charter.