On February 1, 2021, amendments to B.C. s
Environmental
Management Act and the
Contaminated Sites Regulation
(the Stage 13 Amendments) will come into effect which will affect
the application process for redevelopment of lands formerly used
for specified industrial or commercial uses. These amendments will
affect most subdivision, zoning, development permit and building
permit applications for such lands, automatically requiring the
applicant to undertake site investigations before the applications
are approved. The amendments could also see a proliferation of
litigation as developers/owners may seek to recover the increased
costs of development from historical owners and operators
responsible for any contamination on the lands.