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Transportation Acts & Regulations

Last updated on May 16, 2023

Quick links to acts and regulations about transportation issues.

Last updated: August 23, 2022

Statutes and regulations are available on the BC Laws website.

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

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

BC Transportation Financing Authority Transit Assets and Liabilities Act

The BC Transportation Financing Authority Transit Assets and Liabilities Act transfers to the BC Transportation Financing Authority all of the assets and liabilities of Rapid Transit Project 2000 Ltd. and British Columbia Transit that have a connection to the Greater Vancouver transit system.

British Columbia Railway Act

The 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

The 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

The 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

The 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 Infrastructure and the Minister of Justice. The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for Section 3 and shares other provisions as they relate to highway infrastructure, weigh scales and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement.

Container Trucking Act

The Container Trucking Act authorizes the appointment of the British Columbia Container Trucking Commissioner and establishes the commissioner's powers, duties and functions, including the issuance of licenses and setting of rates for container trucking services.

Industrial Roads Act

The 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)

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 and Infrastructure employees who carry out subdivision approvals are made approving officers by Order in Council.

Motor Vehicle Act

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for the sections of the Motor Vehicle 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 Justice.

Passenger Transportation Act

The 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.

Public Works Agreement Act

The Public Works Agreement Act provides authority for the Minister, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, to enter into agreements with Canada or other parties specified in the act respecting water and land development, highway construction or improvement, flood control, hospitals, school and other matters in B.C.  Under such an agreement, the Minister may acquire land and rights of way for works, make surveys, makes reports and estimates of costs of projects, build structures, carry out projects, and maintain and operate works.

Railway Act

The 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

The 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. Learn more about the Railway Safety Act.

Significant Projects Streamlining Act

The Significant Projects Streamlining Act provides authority to the Lieutenant Governor in Council 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.

Transport of Dangerous Goods Act

The Transport of Dangerous Goods Act establishes the safety regulatory framework for the movement of dangerous goods by truck within the province.

Transportation Act

The 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 the designation and arterial and controlled access highways, and inland ferry administration.

Transportation Investment Act

The 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.