British ColumbiaBC-M241First Reading
BC-M241: Bill M 241: Interpretation Amendment Act, 2026
Sponsor: Elenore SturkoIntroduced April 13, 2026Last checked August 28, 2026
Read the official textOfficial version
What this bill does
This bill repeals section 8.1 of British Columbia's Interpretation Act. Section 8.1 was added in 2024 and provided that references to 'natural person' in BC legislation include a reference to an unborn child, which was part of broader amendments related to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Repealing it would remove that interpretive provision from BC law.
Plain-language summary by Legisail.
Business impact
This bill has minimal direct impact on most businesses. It is a technical legal amendment affecting how BC statutes are interpreted. Businesses in British Columbia that operate in sectors where the legal definition of 'natural person' matters — such as healthcare providers, insurance companies, or legal services firms — may need to be aware that the interpretive scope of that term is being narrowed. The change is unlikely to affect day-to-day operations for the vast majority of BC businesses regardless of size.
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Where this bill is
First ReadingApril 13, 2026
Next: Second Reading debate
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