Whereas The United Nations have declared that access to clean drinking water is a Human Right and in British Columbia, some Rural and Remote Communities served by Improvement Districts are still not able to provide clean potable water to its residents; And whereas the current BC Government Policy restricts Improvement Districts access to water Infrastructure Grant funding by recommending the financially prohibitive and challenging process of conversion to a Regional District Service as the only solution; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM work with the Province and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to establish a process for Improvement Districts to have access to Provincial and Federal Infrastructure Grant funds, and still maintain their autonomy.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs The Ministry of Municipal Affairs expectation is that efficient and effective governance is in place for the delivery of critical infrastructure services. Municipalities and regional districts can align servicing and land use policies to contribute to livable communities that are able to accommodate growth, illustrating the value of a service provider that can not only provide infrastructure services but also engage in long-term planning. Improvement districts are currently eligible for capital funding where the improvement district is undergoing conversion to a regional district service area or municipal service. The infrastructure funding is used to defray the capital cost required to bring the service up to current standards. This policy is based on voluntary conversions. Thus, improvement districts that have the resources to operate and meet regulations can continue to operate those services. Although improvement districts cannot apply directly to obtain capital grants to fund their projects, an application can be submitted by a regional district or municipality on behalf of the organization. This policy encourages improvement districts to convert to a municipal or regional district service area. The Ministry is available to discuss the conversion process and any perceived financial or process barriers, with regional districts and improvement districts in their areas, as well as the prospect of regional strategies for resourcing and sequencing multiple conversions. Improvement districts are currently eligible for the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program IPGP if sponsored by the regional district or municipality for planning activities that result in outcomes to inform a potential conversion to a local government service. In this program, a commitment to conversion is not a requirement. An improvement districts can use the planning activities as a basis for an alternative strategy if it is determined that autonomy is valued more than access to senior government grant funding.