Video game ratings system delayed in BC
The new British Columbia government’s preoccupation with tax cuts and new funding measures means it won’t have time to introduce a new ratings system for video games this month, as originally planned. The guidelines, mandated by legislation passed this spring by the previous government, were to have been drafted by Sept. 1 (CNM, Apr. 19/01). However, Premier Gordon Campbell’s "New Era" election promise to enact more pressing legislation within 90 days has moved the video games issue to the back burner. The delay has also given critics of the legislation time to lobby for changes. Barry Salmon, planning and priorities manager in the Attorny  General’s office, told CNM that he’s not surprised by the delay. He says there are indications the new government wants the classification rules changed, adding that the Sept. 1 deadline wasn’t necessarily reasonable. After other priority legislation has been dealt with, he expects work on the video games file to resume.

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