Minister of Transportation's Legislative Mandate

B.C. Rail Benefits
(First Nations) Trust Act

The Act created a $15 million trust funded by proceeds from BC Rail partnership agreement with CN Rail. Managed by an independent board composed of one representative from each of the participating First Nations, the trust is authorized to provide funds for First Nations’ projects that advance economic development, education advancement and cultural renewal.

British Columbia
Railway Act

Establishes the British Columbia Railway Company as a crown corporation, a board of directors for the corporation, the Port Subdivision Subsidiary, and sets out the activities the Company may pursue.

British Columbia
Transit Act

Establishes the British Columbia Transit Authority as a crown corporation, a board of directors for the corporation, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, and provides funding arrangements and revenue-generation authority for these agencies.

Coastal Ferry Act

Enables B.C. Ferry Services Inc. to be established as an independent commercial company under the Company Act and creates the B.C. Ferry Authority, which governs the company. The Act provides for a long-term service contract between the provincial government and B.C. Ferry Services Inc.

Commercial Transport Act

Establishes licensing requirements for commercial vehicles, as well as commercial vehicle configuration and safety standards. Responsibility for the act is shared among the Minister of Transportation and the Minister Responsible for ICBC (Public Safety and Solicitor General). The Minister of Transportation is responsible for Section 3 and shares other provisions as they relate to highway infrastructure, weigh scales and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement.

Industrial Roads Act

In combination with other acts, governs the operation of industrial roads, including the drivers and vehicles that use these roads.

Land Title Act –
(section 77.2 only)

Provides authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to appoint approving officers for the rural areas of the province. Ministry of Transportation employees who carry out subdivision approvals are made approving officers by Order in Council.

Motor Vehicle Act

The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for the sections of the act which set out the rules of the road, traffic control device standards, commercial vehicle weigh scales and vehicle safety standards, inspections and enforcement.  The act also covers vehicle and driver licensing and driver training, which are the responsibility of ICBC, under the administration of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Motor Vehicle Transport Act (Canada)

By delegation, allows the Passenger Transportation Branch to issue licences for the interprovincial and international road transport of passengers.

Passenger
Transportation Act

Regulates the licensing of commercial passenger vehicles, including scheduled intercity buses, passenger-directed vehicles such as taxis and limousines, and general passenger vehicles such as sightseeing buses and shuttles.

The Act establishes economic entry criteria for intercity buses and passenger directed vehicles and the safety criteria for all commercial passenger vehicles. The act also lists offences and provides the authorities for levying penalties, such as tickets or licence suspensions.

Railway Act

Provides authority for the establishment and statutory governance of railways operating solely within the province and falling under provincial jurisdiction, including common carrier, industrial and commuter railways.

Railway Safety Act

Provides authority for British Columbia to adopt the technical regulations, rules and standards of the federal Railway Safety Act, thereby harmonizing the rail safety regime in British Columbia with the federal regime. A Registrar of Railway Safety is also established with the authority to issue operating permits to eligible railway companies and, under certain circumstances, may cancel or suspend an operating permit.

Significant Projects Streamlining Act

Provides authority to Cabinet to assign special status to a project deemed to be important to the economic, social or environmental well-being of British Columbia. This designation legally obligates both provincial and local approval authorities to streamline processes and work cooperatively in making decisions in a more timely way. Designation does not affect provincial environmental assessment, the agricultural land reserve process, or aboriginal rights and title.

South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act

Establishes the independent authority, commonly known as TransLink, provides for the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, the board, the Regional Transportation Commissioner, and sets out the authority’s planning and funding mechanisms, powers and authorities.

Transportation Act

Deals with public works related to transportation, as well as the planning, design, holding, construction, use, operation, alteration, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and closing of provincial highways. The Act also enables the BC Transportation Financing Authority, authorizes the collection of tolls for the Coquihalla Highway, the designation and arterial and controlled access highways, and inland ferry administration.

Transport of Dangerous Goods Act

Establishes the safety regulatory framework for the movement of dangerous goods by truck within the province.

Transportation
Investment Act

Provides a framework for developing public-private partnerships (P3s) to expand and improve provincial transportation infrastructure, and also creates the Transportation Investment Corporation, a Crown corporation.