December 2,2025
RED FM News Desk
The B.C. NDP government survived a confidence vote on its amendments to the Mental Health Act, which aim to reduce the legal liability of health-care workers who provide involuntary treatment. The bill passed its final vote with 45 NDP MLAs in favour and 41 opposed, after Government House Leader Mike Farnworth designated it a confidence measure.
Opposition came from the Conservatives, One BC, Green MLA Rob Botterell, and Independent MLA Jordan Kealy. The vote was one of several held Tuesday as the government advanced numerous bills before the fall session ends.
The government also passed what it calls Canada’s first law allowing the province to recover health-care costs from companies that use “deceptive practices” to market vaping products. Additional legislation is expected to be considered Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the province also introduced new gaming regulations aimed at curbing money laundering and fraud. The reforms follow recommendations from major investigations—the 2018 Dirty Money report and the 2022 Cullen Commission. They include creating an independent gambling regulator with the power to issue directives to the BC Lottery Corp. without ministry approval.
Solicitor General Nina Krieger said the new rules will enable the province’s Independent Gambling Control Office to address criminal activity more effectively. The act, initially passed in 2022, takes effect next April. The new regulator will oversee BCLC gaming, charitable gambling, and horse racing, and will introduce updated licensing and registration fees, along with stronger oversight of online gambling and emerging gaming technologies.
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