Burnaby General Practice Law Blog

The decision to immigrate can be life changing. It can bring about dramatic benefits – but also some challenges. Maybe you married a Canadian citizen, or perhaps you moved to Canada for work. While you may love the new life you’ve established here, the sense of loss you feel for your loved ones in your home country is very real.

Fortunately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers a special visa – known as a super visa – that can enable your parents or grandparents to visit you in Canada. This visa is not subject to the same rules and restrictions as a standard visitor visa.

Concerns have been raised about wages, living conditions and the general treatment of foreign workers when they arrive in Canada. However, British Columbia aims to curb these difficulties with the passing of Bill 48.

This bill, known as the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act, helps to make sure that temporary workers receive their proper documents and provide improved scrutiny over the treatment of employees coming from overseas.

The fact that bicyclists have none of the protection vehicle drivers have makes them extremely vulnerable on British Columbia roads. Even with wearing helmets, victims of bicycle accidents can suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries when struck by cars. Distracted or impaired vehicle operators cause a significant percentage of recorded bike accidents every year.

Intersections are said to be particularly dangerous areas for car and bicycles. Drivers can prevent hitting cyclists by keeping a safe following and passing distance, yielding for them when necessary, and shoulder checking for bicyclists before turning right or opening the door -- the latter applies to passengers as well. Drivers must also scan for bicycle riders before turning left across bike lanes and before they enter the road from a driveway, parking lot or a side street.

Whether it's an occasional trip to the vet or a daily drive together, most people travel with their pets in the car from time to time. However, many do not take the correct precautions to avoid a car accident when travelling with an animal. According to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), a safety device is critical to secure pets can prevent distractions and save the pet in case of a collision.

According to a recent ICBC survey, only half of British Columbia pet owners own a safety device. Cat owners were more likely to own one at 85 percent, while only 45 percent of dog guardians had such a device. Of those dog owners who do own a safety restraint, only 55 percent say they always use the device.