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ARTICLE · 21 DECEMBER 2018

The New Professional Governance Act – Impacting Natural Resource Sector Professionals

Alexander Holburn Beaudin + Lang LLP
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The conclusion of the Haddock Report was that some regimes addressed professional reliance issues well while others did not.

CanadaEnvironment
Daniel Thompson
Daniel Thompson
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Background

The BC Government's recent introduction of the Professional Governance Act (the "PGA")1, which as of October 22, 2018 passed its first reading in the Legislature, is the Government's response to public concerns around resource management and perceived shortcomings of professional reliance. The legislation is aimed at "making sure decisions affecting the province's natural resources are science-based, transparent and protect B.C.'s unique environment for future generations" 2. The PGA is in based on the recommendations a report, dated May 18, 2018, authored by lawyer Mark Haddock, titled Professional Reliance Review, The Final Report of the Review of Professional Reliance in Natural Resource Decision Making [the "Haddock Report"] 3. The Haddock Report makes clear the perception that there is a need to strengthen the professional reliance model:

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