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Legislative Authority


Overview: June 19, 2008

Effective: June 19, 2008

The Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act and companion regulations provide the legislative authority for the BC Employment and Assistance programs.

Policy manuals set out the ministry’s intent with respect to the Act and Regulations and are guidelines. Policy is not law.  Policy provides guidelines to assist staff in making decisions. Staff must, however, make decisions based on the legislation.  Where the policy and the legislation conflict, the legislation must be followed.

The Interpretation Act assists in the interpretation of provincial enactments and the Financial Administration Act governs government financial affairs.  The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act governs the conduct of the government in relation to the collection, protection, retention, and disclosure of a person’s personal information held by government.