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British Columbia Financial Institutions Legislative and Regulatory Reporter

The British Columbia (B.C.) Reporter provides a monthly summary of B.C.’s legislative and regulatory developments of relevance to provincially regulated financial institutions. It does not address Canadian federal financial services legislative and regulatory developments, although this information is provided by BLG separately. In addition, purely technical and administrative changes (such as changes to reporting forms) are not covered.

December 2022

Published

Title and Brief Summary

Status

BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA)

Jan. 3, 2023

B.C. Rolls Out New Home Buyer Rescission Period

As announced in Nov., the Home Buyer Rescission Period (HBRP) came into force on the adjusted date of Jan. 3, 2023, (this amendment of the coming into force date was implemented by Order in Council 565/2002). The HBRP, or cooling-off period, gives buyers the right to rescind their offer up to three business days after the offer is accepted. If a buyer changes their mind, they must pay a 0.25 per cent rescission fee to the seller. BCFSA has updated its disclosure forms to include information on the HBRP.

HBRP in force Jan. 3, 2023

Dec. 20, 2022

PfAD Guideline for Pension Plans with a Target Benefit Provision

The BCFSA has released a new Guideline developing and documenting the provision for adverse deviation (PfAD), following amendments to the Pension Benefits Standards Regulation by BC. Reg. 196/2022.These amendments took effect Dec. 31, 2022.

Pension plan administrators are expected to consider the development of the PfAD in the context of the plan’s risk management framework. Funding policies and actuarial valuation reports filed for plans with target benefit provisions with a review date on or after Dec. 31, 2022 must reflect the new PfAD definition.

Amendments in force Dec. 31, 2022

Dec. 15, 2022

Update: BCFSA Consultation on Insurer Code of Market Conduct

The BCFSA announced it has concluded its recent consultation on the proposed Insurer Code of Market Conduct which proposes to embed principles for fair treatment of customers into BCFSA’s market conduct supervision and oversight practices. This enhances consumer protection and strengths public trust and confidence.

The BCFSA will report on the results of the consultation and on planned next steps for the proposed Code, in 2023.

 

Dec. 13, 2022

Changes to Mortgage Broker Continuing Education

The BCFSA has issued an Advisory announcing that it will launch a new required continuing education course for mortgage brokers in Jan. 2023, entitled Legal Update. This course will replace the Regulatory Update course provided by the Mortgage Brokers Institute of British Columbia as a required course for registration renewal or reinstatement, effective April 1, 2023.

 

Dec. 5, 2022

Consultation on CUDIC Differential Premium System for Credit Unions

The BCFSA has completed a 30-day consultation on the proposed Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation of BC Differential Premium System (DPS) ranges to be implemented for the 2023 premium assessment process. The ranges will be used within the DPS to determine premium assessment scores for credit unions.

Comments were due Dec. 14, 2022

Disclaimer

This Reporter is prepared as a service for our clients. It is not intended to be a complete statement of the law or an opinion on any subject. Although we endeavour to ensure its accuracy, no one should act upon it without a thorough examination of the law after the facts of a specific situation are considered.

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