Vancouver is the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Canada. It also has the highest population density in Canada.
Vancouver is ethnically and linguistically diverse, with 52 percent of the residents not speaking English as their native language. 48.9 percent of residents are neither native speakers of French or English.
Vancouver is considered to be one of the most livable cities in Canada as well as in the world. However, it is one of the most expensive cities to live in in Canada as well as worldwide. The original site of the makeshift tavern which marked the beginning of the city is known as the Gastown steam clock.
In 1886, the city was renamed Vancouver due to a deal with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). By 1887, the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railway was extended to Vancouver.
Vancouver has a large natural seaport on the Pacific Ocean. It became a vital link for trade between Asia, Europe, and Eastern Canada.
The City of Vancouver has hosted numerous international conferences and events, including:
- The 1954 Commonwealth Games;
- APEC Canada 1997;
- The World Police and Fire Games in 1989 and 2009;
- Several matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015; and
- The 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
Port Metro Vancouver was the 4th largest port by tonnage in the Americans as of 2016. It is the busiest and largest port in Canada as well as the most diversified in North America.
Although the largest industry in Vancouver is forestry, tourism is the second largest, due to the immense areas of nature. Vancouver is also referred to as Hollywood North because the city as well as nearby areas house one of the largest film production centers in North America.
In contrast to other British Columbia municipalities, Vancouver is incorporated under the Vancouver Charter, which is legislation which was passed in 1953 that grants the city separate and additional powers than other communities under British Columbia’s Municipalities Act. The city is governed by the Vancouver City Council, which has 11 members.
Vancouver also had a 9 member school board and a 7 member park board. The terms for the council and boards are 4 year terms.
For individuals who are seeking arts and entertainment, Vancouver has a lot to offer. There are several museums, including:
- The Vancouver Maritime Museum;
- The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre; and
- The Vancouver Museum.
For individuals seeking an interactive museum experience, they can visit Science World. It is a science center that is run by the non-profit organization also called Science World. It features numerous interactive exhibits and displays as well as areas with topics that change over time.
Science World is located at the end of False Creek, which is a narrow inlet of water in the heart of Vancouver. This body of water separates the Downtown and West End neighborhoods from the rest of Vancouver.
Similar to other provinces in Canada, British Columbia has its own quirky laws, including:
- Killing a Sasquatch is considered murder;
- In Oak Bay, an individual’s parrot cannot be too loud or they can face a 1,000 fine; and
- In Port Coquitlam, east of Vancouver, it is illegal to own more than 4 pet rats or 4 pet snakes.
Additional Vancouver, Canada Law Information
If a potential client is seeking to find the top lawyers in Vancouver, BC, it may be helpful to understand that the terminology and processes of the Canadian legal system may be different than that of the United States. For example, a lawyer in Canada is called a solicitor or a barrister.
The terms attorney and lawyer also have different meanings in Canada. Attorney means an individual who is appointed under a power of attorney. Barrister and solicitor are also used instead of the term attorney in:
- Canada;
- Australia; and
- The United Kingdom.
If an individual who resides in Vancouver searches LegalMatch for the best lawyers in Vancouver, the terms lawyer and attorney can be used because content on LegalMatch is written by individuals who reside in the United States and have American vocabularies.
Lawyer and attorney in the United States both refer to individuals who have passed the bar and are able to practice law. No distinction is made between lawyers to try cases in court and lawyers who do not.
In Vancouver and the province of British Columbia, there are three levels of court, including:
- The Provincial Court;
- The Supreme Court; and
- The Court of Appeal.
The Provincial Court is a trial court but the jurisdiction of this court is limited. The limitations are provided in the Criminal Code and the Small Claims Act.
The Supreme Court is the superior trial court in the province. This court is a court of general and inherent jurisdiction, meaning it can hear any case whether civil or criminal as well as appeals from the Provincial Court, both criminal and civil.
The Court of Appeal is the court which hears appeals from the Supreme Court of British Columbia in all legal matters as well as some criminal matters from the Provincial Court. In addition, the Court of Appeal hears appeals and reviews from certain provincial administrative boards and tribunals.
The British Columbia Superior Courts include the Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court. An appeal from the Court of Appeals goes to the Supreme Court of Canada, located in Ottawa.
There are also other courts which have jurisdiction in British Columbia, including:
- The Federal Court of Appeal;
- The Federal Court; and
- The Tax Court of Canada.
Locate Lawyers in Vancouver, Canada and Vancouver, Canada Attorneys Quickly
When you are seeking legal assistance in Vancouver, Canada, it is important to ensure that your Vancouver lawyer has the correct education and certifications to be permitted to practice law. In Vancouver, British Columbia, the most common path to becoming a lawyer is earning a law degree from a Canadian law school and then completing the Law Society Admission Program.
The Law Society Admission Program is a 12-month program which requires:
- 9 months of articles in a law firm or legal workplace;
- A 10-week Professional Legal Training Course (PLTC); and
- Two qualification examinations based upon the PLTC course work and practice material.
An individual who is seeking the assistance of a lawyer in Vancouver, Canada may use a service such as LegalMatch. LegalMatch provides a potential client with information they can use to obtain information about Vancouver lawyers, including:
- Their educational information and experience;
- Fee information;
- Malpractice coverage; and
- Reviews from former clients.
A potential client in Canada can submit their case to LegalMatch at no cost, often in as little as fifteen minutes. Within around 24 hours, potential clients will be provided with information about lawyers who practice in areas of law that are related to their case.