WHEREAS the 2003 Community Charter was intended to be followed up with a Charter for regional districts; AND WHEREAS regional districts now get their authority from the Local Government Act and portions of the Community Charter, which creates confusion: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the provincial government to clarify the manner in which regional districts are governed, with the intent of correcting the existing inequities between incorporated and unincorporated areas of the province, resulting in equality for all residents of British Columbia.
Ministry of Community Services The Ministry of Community Services Ministry appreciates the local government interest in a Community Charter for regional districts. However, it is important to note that the regional district legislative provisions were extensively revised with the adoption of the Local Government Act in 2000. Subsequently, the Community Charter was adopted, and through consequential amendments in Bill 76 of 2003, the regional district legislation was connected to the new legislative framework, including some of the innovations in the Community Charter. Subsequently, the Ministry and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM agreed, given the extensive changes to the Community Charter and the Local Government Act relating to regional districts, that our efforts should be focused on making what we have work more effectively rather than introducing yet more new legislation. This in turn led to the well regarded Regional District Tool Kit. The Ministry is always interested in ensuring that the local government legislative framework works effectively, while recognizing, however, that securing time on the legislative agenda is challenging, given competing demands. To be effective, legislative change needs to be based on a clear analysis of the issues or problems that it is meant to address and consensus on how to move forward. One step in that process was the regional district workshop at the 2006 UBCM Convention. This provided an opportunity for discussion and responses to questions related to thinking regionally, building inter-jurisdictional relations, connecting regional districts and their members and providing assistance and advice. The information will be valuable in assisting the Ministry and the UBCM and choosing courses of action.