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2002 Annual Report
ANNUAL
REPORT
AND
RESOLUTIONS
TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE 53rd
Association of ANNUAL MEETING
Vancouver CAMPBELL RIVER COMMUNITY CENTRE
Island and CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C.
Coastal
Communities MARCH 8 – 10, 2002
PLEASE BRING THIS
PLEASE BRING THIS
REPORT
REPORT
WITH YOU
WITH YOU
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
In just a few short weeks I will be welcoming you to the 53rd Annual Meeting in
Campbell River. I look forward to welcoming you to my community of Campbell River
as your President. It was encouraging to see so many of you attend the Area
Association luncheon held at UBCM in Vancouver. We apologize for the downpour
however we promise you a superb location in Whistler.
At the first UBCM Executive meeting after we saw one another in Victoria I was
appointed to the UBCM Community & Resource Committee and the UBCM Aboriginal
Affairs Committee.
Over the past year there have been many issues arising that have affected local
governments around the province:
• health care
• downturn in resource industry communities
• cutbacks to Civil Service sector
• softwood lumber negotiations
• treaty negotiations
Over the past year Treaty Negotiations have once again been part of the work carried
out by AVICC. There are seven Treaty Advisory Committees within the AVICC
membership area. The five TAC’s on Vancouver Island have staff support provided by
Eydie Fraser and advise on 10 Main Table negotiations. However in the cutbacks
recently announced funding for Treaty Advisory Committee’s will be eliminated
effective April 1st. There will be a special meeting of all TAC Rep’s held prior to the
Convention to discuss how local government will participate in treaty negotations. The
UBCM Aboriginal Affairs Committee will be organizing a conference call for all TAC
Chairs to discuss this issue.
Some of our other activites include:
EXECUTIVE/COMMITTEES
• 3 meetings of the Executive
MEMBERSHIP/FINANCIAL
• membership remained at 47
• there was a dues increase of .05¢ for 2002
CONVENTION
• the 2001 Convention in Duncan was very successful. Delegate’s comments have
been taken into consideration and acted upon wherever possible in planning
both the business and the social aspects of the 2002 Convention. The Executive
will be making every effort to have a confirmed program out to the members in
February.
• 28 resolutions were presented with 20 being endorsed, 2 referred and 6 not
endorsed.
COMMUNICATIONS
• two issues of the AVICC Newsletter were produced and distributed.
• various circulars and member updates
At this time I would like to take the opportunity to extend a thank you to the Executive
for their continued support and involvement with AVICC over the past year. I would
also like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation on behalf of myself
and the Executive to Eydie Fraser, Executive Coordinator and Richard Taylor of UBCM
for their dedication and assistance.
I look forward to seeing you in Campbell River and your continued involvement with
AVICC in the year ahead.
Councillor Mary L. Ashley
President
SUMMARY OF 2001 AVICC
RESOLUTION RESPONSES
This report summarizes the responses from the provincial government to the
resolutions endorsed at the 2001 AVICC Annual General Meeting, submitted to UBCM
and endorsed by UBCM:
A8 PACIFIC HAKE – A COMMUNITY
POLICY DOCUMENT
DISTRICT OF UCLUELET
Response of: Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
A reply was received from the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans advising that on August 24,
2001, Canadian onshore processors have been allocated the entire 50% reserve of the total allowable catch. The Minister also advised that
the Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations have been amended to allow delivery of hake by American vessels to Canadian ports on the
B1 DIRECTORS BENEFITS Sunshine Coast RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM is awaiting a re
B13 RURAL ROAD MAINTENANCE
POWELL RIVER RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM
is awaiting a response from the government on the resolutions, which were
submitted.
B25 FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DOCKS
POWELL RIVER RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM is awaiting a re
B46 FUNDING FOR FIRE FIGHTER TRAINING
IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES Powell River RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM is awaiting a re
B53 MUNICIPAL SUPERANNUATION FUND
TOWN OF LAKE COWICHAN
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. This resolution was rec
B55 INCENTIVES FOR MUNICIPAL INCORPORATION Mt. Waddington RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM is awaiting a re
R64 FERRIES ARE AN EXTENSION
OF THE HIGHWAY NETWORK District of Powell River
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM
is awaiting a response from the government on the resolutions, which were
submitted.
R67 HIGHWAY INFORMATIONAL SIGNS
CITY OF PARKSVILLE
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed with an amendment. U
B69 COMMUNITY AIRPORT TAX EXEMPTION Town of Comox
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed and
referred to the Community Charter Consultations.
B74 BC HEALTH AUTHORITIES REVIEW Powell River RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM is awaiting a re
B83 PUBLIC AND NON-PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Nanaimo RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed with an
amendment. UBCM is awaiting a response from the government on the
resolutions, which were submitted.
C21 INTERPRETATION ACT, SECTION 14(2)
TOWN OF LAKE COWICHAN
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM
is awaiting a response from the government on the resolutions, which were
submitted.
C33 FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM
POWELL RIVER RD
This resolution was referred to UBCM. The resolution was endorsed. UBCM
is awaiting a response from the government on the resolutions, which were
submitted.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION PROCEDURES AND
REPORT FOR THE AVICC EXECUTIVE
The ongoing administration and policy determination of the AVICC is governed by an
8-person Executive Board that is elected and appointed at the Annual Convention.
THERE ARE SEVEN ELECTED POSITIONS:
President
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President
Director at Large (3 positions)
Electoral Area Representative
THERE IS ONE APPOINTED POSITION:
Immediate Past President
NOMINATION PROCESS AND QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE
The Executive has introduced a process whereby a notice of the AVICC Executive
positions open for nomination, the process and the procedures for nomination were
circulated to all members. [See Appendix C]
That notice stated that a candidate must be nominated by two elected officials of an
AVICC member local government. The candidate must be an elected official of an
AVICC member.
Background information for Candidates was made available on request that set out the
main responsibilities and commitments of an AVICC Executive member.
A nomination and consent form is available and was to be used for all nominations in
advance of the AGM. [Also see Appendix C]
NOMINATING COMMITTEE – is appointed under the provisions of the AVICC
Constitution and is appointed by the President.
The Nominating Committee is responsible for overseeing the nominating and election
process and is appointed by the AVIM President and is composed of three members of
the Executive. This year’s Committee is composed of:
Past President, Mrs. Pearl Myhres
President, Councillor Mary Ashley
It is part of the duties of the Nominating Committee to review the credentials of each
candidate. A Report on Nominations including, at the candidate’s option, a photo and
300-word biography will be prepared under the direction of the Nominating Committee
and distributed in the March Supplementary AVICC Newsletter.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Nominating Committee is responsible for reporting to the full Annual Meeting.
The Nominating Committee does not make recommendations.
They will report on Friday, April 4, 2:15 p.m. on nominations received for positions of
President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, three Directors at Large and
Electoral Area Representative.
While the nomination process has been expanded, it will not change the process where
candidates can be nominated off the floor at the Convention. That process remains in
place. The changes outlined above provide for those that are interested in seeking office
to be directly nominated prior to the Convention without the “sanction” of the
Nominating Committee.
ELECTIONS PROCESS
The process will then proceed in three steps:
STEP 1 – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
FRIDAY, April 4, 2:15 p.m.
Nominating Committee presents the nominations for positions of President, First Vice-
President, Second Vice-President.
Nominations from floor for Officer positions (President, First Vice-President, Second
Vice-President)
Candidate speeches if necessary.
Friday, April 4, 4:55 p.m.
Elections for Officer positions (as necessary).
Saturday, April 5, 8:30 a.m.
STEP 2 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Saturday, April 5, 11:50 a.m.
Nominating Committee presents nominations for three Directors at Large.
Nominations from the floor for the above positions.
Candidate speeches if necessary.
Elections for remaining Executive positions (as necessary).
STEP 3 – ELECTION OF ELECTORAL AREA REPRESENTATIVE
Sunday, April 6, 9:00 a.m.
Nominating Committee presents nominations for Electoral Area Representative
Nominations from the floor for the above position.
Candidate speeches if necessary.
Election for position (as necessary).
2002 RESOLUTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Resolution Title Page
EXTRAO
EXTRAORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
RDINARY RESOLUTIONS
ER1 TERM OF OFFICE AVICC Executive 17
ER2 DATE OF ANNUAL MEETING AVICC Executive 17
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
SR1 PROVINCIAL OFF-LOADING AVICC Executive 17
REFERRED RESOLUTION
REFERRED RESOLUTION
RR1 CONSIDERATION OF COOPERATION AGREEMENTS 18
HEALTH ISSUES
HEALTH ISSUES
R1 HEALTH CARE SERVICES WITHIN BC Comox-Strathcona RD 18
R2 PRINCIPLES OF MEDICARE Saanich 19
R3 NEW PRIORITIES FOR HEALTH FUNDING Saanich 19
R4 REDUCTION IN HEALTH MINISTERS Saanich 19
R5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION
ON HEALTH ISSUES Saanich 20
LEGIS
LEGISLATIVE
LATIVE
R6 VOTING RIGHTS FOR CORPORATIONS Lake Cowichan 20
FINANCE
FINANCE
R7 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROYALTY ON NON-RENEWABLE
RESOURCES Powell River RD 21
R8 COMPENSATION FOR CROWN LAND View Royal 21
R9 MUNICIPAL SUPERANNUATION FORMULA-
FULL PENSIONABLE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS Central Saanich 22
R10 VANCOUVER ISLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY
CONTRIBUTION FORMULA Tofino 22
R11 GAS FRANCHISE FEES Nanaimo City 23
R12 RETROACTIVE PROVISION OF GRANTS Sunshine Coast RD 23
JUSTICE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
JUSTICE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
R13 SIDE ARMS FOR AUXILIARY POLICE Powell River District 24
R14 POLICING IN RURAL AREAS AND SMALL Comox-Strathcona RD 24
COMMUNITIES
R15 EARTHQUAKE PROOFING PUBLIC BUILDINGS Powell River District 25
TAXATION
TAXATION
R16 FOREST FARMING ON
AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE Comox-Strathcona RD 25
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
R17 BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT: TOILETS Sunshine Coast RD 26
R18 SECURITY OF DRINKING WATER Powell River District 26
R19 WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVES Sunshine Coast RD 26
R20 RESINSTATEMENT OF TROPHY HUNTING BAN Comox-Strathcona RD 27
ON GRIZZLY BEARS
R21 COMMUNITY PLANNING INITIATIVES Islands Trust 27
COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES
COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES
R22 MINING AND QUARRY OPERATIONS Powell River District 28
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
R23 TRANSPORT CANADA SECURITY FEE Port Hardy 28
R24 BC FERRY CORPORATION – ROUTE 40 Central Coast RD 28
R25 BC FERRIES SERVICE Powell River District 29
R26 SMALL CRAFT HARBOURS FACILITIES Tofino 29
SELECTED ISSUES
SELECTED ISSUES
R27 AFFORDABLE HOUSING Central Saanich 30
R28 GENETICALLY ENGINEERED (GE) FOODS Port Alberni 30
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO OTHER
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO OTHER RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTIONS
IN THE RESOLUTIONS BOOK
IN THE RESOLUTIONS BOOK
R29 PROVINCIAL OFF-LOADING Parksville 30
R30 PROVINCIAL DOWNLOADING Sunshine Coast RD 31
R31 REDUCTION OF PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT SERVICES Campbell River 31
APPENDIX B(1)
2002 AVICC MEMBERS
CITIES VILLAGES
Courtenay Alert Bay
Duncan Cumberland
Nanaimo Gold River
Parksville Port Alice
Port Alberni Sayward
Victoria Tahsis
Zeballos
DISTRICTS REGIONAL DISTRICTS
Campbell River Alberni-Clayoquot
Central Saanich Capital
Esquimalt Central Coast
Highlands Comox-Strathcona
Langford Cowichan Valley
Metchosin Mount Waddington
North Cowichan Nanaimo
North Saanich Powell River
Oak Bay Sunshine Coast
Port Hardy Islands Trust
Powell River
Saanich
Sechelt
Sechelt Indian Government District
Sooke
Tofino
Ucluelet
TOWNS
Comox
Gibsons
Ladysmith
Lake Cowichan
Port McNeill
Qualicum Beach
Sidney
View Royal
APPENDIX B(2)
AVICC LIFE MEMBERS
DATE POSITION/NAME PLACE
1949-1950 Lorne Jordan Port Alberni
1951-1952 Earl Westwood Nanaimo
1953 Bert Beasley North Cowichan
1954 Bill Henderson Cumberland
1955-1956 C.A.P. Murson North Cowichan
1957 Alf Wurtele Esquimalt
1958 Jack Dobson Duncan
1959 Bill Moore Courtenay
1960 George Chatterton Saanich
1962 John Cook Nanaimo
1963 Don Morton North Cowichan
1964 Reeve Lee Central Saanich
1965 Fred Bishop Port Alberni
1966 Doug Watts Oak Bay
1967 Les Hammer Port Alberni
1968 Rob Baird Victoria
1969 Kay Grouhel Ladysmith
1970 S.A.D. Pike Powell River
1971-1972 Archie Galbraith Central Saanich
1973-1974 G.H.A. MacKay Nanaimo
1974-1975 William (Bronco) Moncrief Cumberland
1975-1976 Ed Lum Victoria
1976-1977 George McKnight Port Alberni
1977–1978 K. Paskin Duncan
1978-1979 Ken Hill Esquimalt
1979-1980 Mayor George Piercy Comox
1980-1981 Mel Couvelier Saanich
1981-1982 Mayor Anne Fiddick Gold River
1982-1983 Alderman Dick Winkleman Nanaimo
1983-1984 Mayor Norma Sealey Sidney
1984-1985 Mayor Robert Ostler Campbell River
1985-1986 Mayor Gillian Trumper Port Alberni
1986-1987 Alderman William (Bill) Kinley Port McNeill
1987-1988 Mayor Tom McCrae Tahsis
1989-1990 Mayor Frank Ney Nanaimo
Director George Borza Nanaimo R.D.
Mayor George Cochrane Courtenay
Alderman Walter Behn Port Alberni
Alderman Eric Simmons Victoria
1990-1991 Alderman Bill Cox Ladysmith
1992-1993 Mayor Ron Webber Courtenay
1993-1994 Mayor Al Huddlestan Port Hardy
1994-1995 Councillor Martin Segger Victoria
1995-1996 Councillor Maxine Williams Alert Bay
1996-1997 Director Jim Gurney Sunshine Coast R.D.
1998-1999 Mayor James Lornie Campbell River
1999-2000 Councillor John Crook Langford
2000-2001 Mayor Frank Leonard Saanich
THE 2002 EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS
THE 2002 EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS
As a result of the Call for Nominations, the Committee has received and will be placing
the following names forward for consideration during the 2002 Convention:
President
• Councillor Mary Ashley, District of Campbell River
First Vice-President
• Councillor Stan Dixon, District of Sechelt
Second Vice-President
• Chair George Holme, Regional District of Nanaimo
Director at Large(three to be elected)
• Councillor Bea Holland, City of Victoria
• Councillor Don Gemmell, District of Powell River
• Mayor Jack Peake, Town of Lake Cowichan
Electoral Area Representative
For further information on the nomination and election process contact:
Mayor Pearl Myhres, Past President
c/o Municipal House
545 Superior Street
Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4
Phone: (250)356-5133 Fax: (250)356-5119
COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Comments on all resolutions and recommendations of the AVICC Executive will be
contained in delegate’s materials available at the conference.
EXTRAORDINARY RESOLUTIONS
ER1 TERM OF OFFICE AVICC Executive
WHEREAS the constitution of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities does not address the term of office for the President of the association;
AND WHEREAS there should be some guidance as to the term of President:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that AVICC Constitution be amended to add Section
5(g) that states that the term of the President shall not exceed two concurrent terms
effective immediately.
Conference Decision:
ER2 DATE OF ANNUAL MEETING AVICC Executive
WHEREAS the constitution of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities states that the annual general meeting shall be held in the month of
March;
AND WHEREAS the government of British Columbia has established set dates for the
legislature and set dates for the budget to be brought down which could impact upon
the program for the annual general meeting;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the AVICC Constitution Section 8(a) be amended to
read: The annual general meeting shall be held during the month of April on dates
established by the Executive and that the annual general meeting shall be held on
Friday and Saturday.
Conference Decision:
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
SR1 PROVINCIAL OFF-LOADING AVICC Executive
WHEREAS the provincial government in its “New Era” document made a commitment
to “outlaw ‘offloading’ of provincial government costs onto the backs of local property
taxpayers” and defined off-loading in part to include vacating a field of service;
AND WHEREAS the Community Charter discussion paper refers to new, related
principles requiring consultation in advance and transfer of funding resources with off-
loading;
AND WHEREAS local government is best qualified to understand the strengths, needs
and challenges of local communities, in regard to ability to provide community support
services:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AVICC and the UBCM request that the
Provincial Government:
• ensures full community consultation on program reviews and funding
reductions;
• does not off-load current provincial program responsibilities onto communities
and families without ensuring program integrity and adequate funding;
• ensures that any transitions in program funding or delivery be done on a
schedule that is respectful to the service recipients, program providers and local
economies;
• ensures that changes brought about by the Core Review not result in local
governments being forced to choose between providing the service formerly
provided by the province or seeing the service disappear.
** This resolution attempts to reflect the concerns expressed in R28, R29 and R30 and can be
found later in the final section for review.
Conference Decision:
REFERRED RESOLUTION
REFERRED RESOLUTION
RR1 CONSIDERATION OF COOPERATION AGREEMENTS
WHEREAS the 2001 UBCM Convention considered a cooperation agreement between
the Union of BC Municipalities and the BC Environmental Network;
AND WHEREAS the Convention directed that the “Protocol” be referred to each Area
Association for consideration:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities recommend to UBCM that the Protocol be approved.
Conference Decision:
HEALTH ISSUES
HEALTH ISSUES
R1 HEALTH CARE SERVICES WITHIN BC Comox-Strathcona RD
WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has frozen spending in all areas excepting
health care and education;
AND WHEREAS health care services such as those provided by chiropractors,
physiotherapists, optometrists and massage therapists improve patient care and
recovery and thus decrease overall costs of our Health Care system:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minister of Health and the Province of
British Columbia make an immediate, public commitment to continue to fund these
services at their current levels.
Conference Decision:
R2 PRINCIPLES OF MEDICARE Saanich
WHEREAS our Canadian Medicare system is under attack by vested interests primarily
in the private sector but also by the governments of Alberta and Ontario;
AND WHEREAS the five principles of our Canadian Medicare system are as relevant
today as they were initially (universal coverage, comprehensive, accessible services,
portable from province to province and public administration):
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities support the five principles of Medicare and ask the B.C. Government to
honor these principles in the reform and renewal process of our health system.
Conference Decision:
R3 NEW PRIORITIES FOR HEALTH FUNDING Saanich
WHEREAS the major detriments of health are adequate income, affordable le housing,
education, employment, recreation and a clean environment;
AND WHEREAS 98% of health funding support an illness system that is not
sustainable:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities urge the B.C. Government to establish new priorities for health funding
that reflects the real determinants of health and give greater emphasis to health
promotion and wellness at the community level.
Conference Decision:
R4 REDUCTION IN HEALTH MINISTERS Saanich
WHEREAS British Columbia now has four Ministers dealing with health issues;
AND WHEREAS at the same time that B.C. Government is freezing health funding and
making cutbacks to health services:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities recommend to the B.C. Government that a reduction in the number of
health Ministers be seriously considered as a cost cutting measure before important
health service at the community level are eliminated.
Conference Decision:
R5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON MAJOR ISSUES Saanich
WHEREAS the recent report of the B.C. Select Standing Committee on health was
compiled after a very short consultat6ive process which excluded many citizens of
Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast;
AND WHEREAS the major restructuring of the regional health authority for Vancouver
Island and the Sunshine Coast and reduction on other health services for our citizens
(Pharmacare, physiotherapy, etc.) was carried out with virtually no consultation:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities remind the B.C. Government of its commitments to full consultation with
local governments before making major changes to our health system that could result
in reduced and unequal services to the citizens of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine
Coast and downloading of services onto local governments;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that AVICC ask the Union of B.C. Municipalities to
also remind the B.C. Government of its protocol agreement regarding full consultation
with UBCM on major issues impacting local government in B.C.
Conference Decision:
LEGISLATIVE
LEGISLATIVE
R6 VOTING RIGHTS FOR CORPORATIONS Lake Cowichan
WHEREAS Section 49 of the Local Government Act does not allow corporations to be
registered to vote as electors in municipal elections;
AND WHEREAS interests of corporations may be impacted in the same manner as non-
resident property owners in the outcome of municipal elections:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities petition the Provincial Government to amend Section 49 of the Local
Government Act to allow a corporation to be registered as an elector to have a vote in
location elections.
Conference Decision:
FINANCE
FINANCE
R7 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROYALTY ON NON-RENEWABLE
RESOURCES Powell River RD
WHEREAS companies reap generous profits from extracting non-renewable resources
in many areas of the province;
AND WHEREAS once these resources are depleted or not sufficiently profitable, the
communities in which they are located may suffer serious economic decline:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Community Charter grant local governments
(municipalities and regional districts) the authority to collect a royalty for non-
renewable resources extracted from within their boundaries to provide long-term
benefits to local communities.
Conference Decision:
R8 COMPENSATION FOR CROWN LAND View Royal
WHEREAS the Government of British Columbia has passed the Community Charter
Council Act (CCCA) and the CCCA states that:
• Municipalities
should have a
wider range of tools
to reduce reliance
on property tax
revenue; and
• The Provincial Government should not reduce its costs by transferring
responsibilities to municipalities;
AND WHEREAS the CCCA establishes the Community Charter Council with the
responsibility for preparing a report to the Executive Council recommending
legislation, to be titled the Community Charter, that will establish a new foundation for
municipal government in British Columbia;
AND WHEREAS all Crown land requires municipal services the same as, or often in
excess of, that required by other properties within municipalities;
AND WHEREAS Crown land is, by its very nature, regional or provincial in its use
and/or benefit;
AND WHEREAS equity and fairness requires financial compensation from the Province
to municipalities in respect of Crown lands;
AND WHEREAS it is unknown whether the Community Charter will recommend in its
report, or that the Government of British Columbia will implement financial
compensation arrangements for Crown land:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities strongly recommend to the
Community Charter Council and the Government of British Columbia that all Crown
land be included in measures implementing financial compensation to the host
municipalities.
Conference Decision:
R9 MUNICIPAL SUPERANNUATION FORMULA-
FULL PENSIONABLE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS Central Saanich
WHEREAS “contributory service” is the number of years an employee and/or an
employer made contributions to the Municipal Superannuation Plan and is used to
determine if an employee is eligible for a pension and whether the pension will be
reduced should the employee retire before ago 60 or 65;
AND WHEREAS under the current regulations of the Municipal Superannuation Plan
an employee will receive a reduced pension if, at the date of retirement, the employee is
55 to 59 plus 11 months, with two years or more of contributory service, but the
employees’ age plus contributory service total less than 90;
AND WHEREAS reducing the “Rule of 90″ to “85″ would help to increase incentives for
longer service employees to retire earlier and thereby open up the work force to a
younger generation of municipal works:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Association of Vancouver Island and
Coastal Communities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the
Provincial Government to amend the Municipal Superannuation Plan “Rule of 90″ to
reduce the years of service and age requirements to “85″.
Conference Decision:
R10 VANCOUVER ISLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY CONTRIBUTION
CONTRIBUTION FORMULA Tofino
WHEREAS the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board (the Library Board) operates
libraries in many of our Vancouver Island and coastal communities;
AND WHEREAS the Library Board determines the contribution formula distributing
their costs out to participating Vancouver Island and coastal communities;
AND WHEREAS the formula, as currently structured, creates inequities among the
participating communities, causing hardship to residents of those communities carrying
the greater burden;
AND WHEREAS the formula, as it currently structured, has no basis on service levels
provided to the participating communities;
AND WHEREAS the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board has been resistant to
altering the current funding formula:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities request that the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board proceed with
the development of a new funding formula that provides a more equitable fee to the
constituents contained with their participating area and that service levels be factored
into that formula.
Conference Decision:
R11 GAS FRANCHISE FEES Nanaimo City
WHEREAS Section 164 and 376 of the Local Government Act authorize BC communities
to negotiate a service fee with utility companies to compensate for the costly disruption
and repair of roads, water, sewer, storm drain lines and other municipal facilities
caused by installation of the utility’s system works;
AND WHEREAS Section 7(5) of the Vancouver Island Natural Gas Pipeline Act revoked
the above mentioned compensation authority specifically for municipalities and
regional districts on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, thereby passing the
infrastructure repair costs onto local taxpayers (including those who will never be
connected to natural gas):
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities strongly request the
provincial government restore equal rights on this matter immediately, and that the
AVICC and the UBCM proceed immediately to convince the provincial government of
this specific need for fair and equal treatment for all municipal taxpayers in all of British
Columbia.
Conference Decision:
R12 RETROACTIVE PROVISION OF GRANTS Sunshine Coast RD
WHEREAS the federal and provincial governments, through the Canada/BC
Infrastructure program, provide grants to local governments for infrastructure projects;
AND WHEREAS delays in approval of the grants can from time to time result in
projects being initiated or completed by local governments prior to completion of the
approval process, thereby making the projects ineligible for grant funding:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canada/BC Infrastructure program be
amended to provide grants retroactively for those projects that have been initiated or
completed prior to completion of the grant approval process.
Conference Decision:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_
JUSTICE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
JUSTICE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
R13 SIDE ARMS FOR AUXILIARY POLICE Powell River District
WHEREAS policing costs continue to escalate and crime and vandalism are on the
increase and the largest portion of the police budget is for manpower, member’s wages
and benefits;
AND WHEREAS prior to the internal decision of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
management that the Auxiliaries made a significant contribution to policing;
AND WHEREAS subsequent to that decision (that Auxiliaries could no longer carry
side arms) the number of Auxiliaries dropped significantly:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the side arms issue be revisited and re-institute side
arms to Auxiliaries and find other methods of resolving management’s concerns.
Conference Decision:
R14 POLICING IN RURAL AREAS AND
SMALL COMMUNITIES Comox-Strathcona RD
WHEREAS the Provincial Government is presently developing a new financing formula
for police services in rural areas and small communities;
AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government in their “New Era” document made a
commitment to British Columbians to outlaw offloading or provincial government costs
onto the back of local property taxpayers:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Provincial Government honour their
commitment to discontinue any offloading of provincial government costs onto local
property owners and taxpayers without mutual agreement between the Province and
Local Government.
Conference Decision:
R15 EARTHQUAKE PROOFING PUBLIC BUILDINGSPowell River District
WHEREAS many public buildings were constructed before the Building Code had
incorporated regulations for earthquake proofing;
AND WHEREAS some of these public buildings include hospitals, fire and public
safety buildings, schools, recreation complexes, etc.:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province immediately initiate a public building
assessment of earthquake vulnerability as the first step to rehabilitation or replacement
on a priority basis and as a record of the extent of the problem and as the basis to
request special federal infrastructure funding.
Conference Decision:
TAXATION
TAXATION
R16 FOREST FARMING ON
AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE Comox-Strathcona RD
WHEREAS valuable forested land contained within the Agricultural Land Reserve
(ALR) is often cleared of trees in order to establish traditionally recognized agricultural
crops such a hay and grasses;
AND WHEREAS sustainable farming of forests would be the highest and best economic
use of certain portions of land within the ALR;
AND WHEREAS the preservation of agricultural land remains a high priority for the
vast majority of British Columbians;
AND WHEREAS this approach would contribute to the long-term preservation of these
lands:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities request the BC government to
recognize forest farming as a viable and realistic agricultural enterprise for taxation
purposes on all ALR lands;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that forest farming on ALR lands be granted the
same taxation status consideration as other agricultural initiatives.
Conference Decision:
ENVIRON
ENVIRONMENT
MENT
R17 BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT: TOILETS Sunshine Coast RD
WHEREAS toilets are responsible for up to 27% of residential water consumption and
the BC Building Code 1998 requires that all new construction install 13.25 litre capacity
toilets;
AND WHEREAS regional districts currently do not have the authority to require 6.0
litre, or less, capacity toilets in new construction:
THEREFORE BE RESOLVED that the BC Building Code 1998 be amended to replace the
requirement for 13.25 litre toilets with a requirement for 6.0 litre capacity toilets or dual
flush technology toilets (3.0 litre and 6.0 litre).
Conference Decision:
R18 SECURITY OF DRINKING WATER Powell River District
WHEREAS the safety and security of drinking water has become of Canadian priority
concern;
AND WHEREAS major changes are being considered to improve the Drinking Water
Protection Act;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that as a part of the process to ensure safe drinking
water that testing at the user taps be mandated and that such testing be performed at
Provincial labs to Provincial standards, with the cost of such testing to be free of charge
or at the actual cost of such testing.
Conference Decision:
R19 WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVES Sunshine Coast RD
WHEREAS water conservation is an important aspect of the provision of potable water
to the public;
AND WHEREAS some local governments have established initiatives to encourage
water conservation:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government encourage and support
water conservation initiatives throughout the province and establish best practices for
water conservation for all water service providers.
Conference Decision:
R20 REINSTATEMENT OF TROPHY HUNTING
BAN ON GRIZZLY BEARS Comox-Strathcona RD
WHEREAS the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) has recently completed a two-year
process to assess whether British Columbia’s grizzly bear hunt and accompanying
exports of grizzly bear trophy can be demonstrated to be sustainable;
AND WHEREAS the review has concluded that the BC government population
estimates are unreliable;
AND WHEREAS the majority of British Columbians to not support the trophy hunting
of grizzly bears:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities request the British Columbia Government to reinstate the trophy hunting
ban on grizzly bears.
Conference Decision:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_
R22 COMMUNITY PLANNING INITIATIVES Island Trust
WHEREAS the Islands Trust through legislative measures in the Local Government Act
has tried to effect land use planning solutions to safeguard environmentally end
ecologically significnat landscapes;
AND WHEREAS the tools available to local government in the Local Government Act
and the application of these tools by local government in a land use planning context
have not produced the results invisioned by the provisions of the Act;
AND WHEREAS particular land use planning initiatives based on interpretation of the
Act including Official Community Plan and Development Permit requirements imposed
by local governments have not been successful to achieve desired results:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Islands Trust request the assistance of the
Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities to pursue new/revised tools
through legislative amendments coincident with the the Community Charter legislation
review to ensure local government the ability to effect through community planning
initiatives, an enhanced degree of environmental and ecological protection for
significant properties on the landscape.
Conference Decision:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_
COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES
COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES
R22 MINING AND QUARRY OPERATIONS Powell River District
WHEREAS mining and quarry operations, including sand and gravel extraction, are
currently ongoing in some municipalities;
AND WHEREAS local governments have little power to prevent this, regardless of
citizen concern, because Provincial Ministries have power in these matters that are
greater than those of the local governments:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a new review be initiated to reduce or eliminate
mining, quarrying, sand and gravel extraction and processing from all municipalities,
except for certain circumstances, and then only by referendum, the costs of which
would be borne by the proponent.
Conference Decision:
TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
R23 TRANSPORT CANADA SECURITY FEE Port Hardy
WHEREAS the Federal Government has imposed a $24.00 return trip security fee to pay
for security measures needed on the national airport system;
AND WHEREAS local flights and a majority of regional flights do not use this security
system:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal Government be asked to rescind the
$24.00 return security fee on local flights and regional flights that do not use the
national airport system.
Conference Decision:
R24 BC FERRY CORPORATION – ROUTE 40 Central Coast RD
WHEREAS the communities and business people of the Central Coast have suffered a
major decline in traditional resource industries and have therefore invested in
diversification especially in tourism;
AND WHEREAS the staff of the BC Ferry Corporation have indicated that the Bella
Coola portion of Route 40 (Discovery Coast Passage) is to be discontinued at the end of
the 2003 summer season:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities call upon the government of British Columbia to reject BC Ferry
Corporation’s plans for discontinuation and confirm the long term operation of the
entire Route 40 service so that tourism and related economic development and
investment can occur.
Conference Decision:
R25 BC FERRIES SERVICE Powell River District
WHEREAS BC Ferries costs continue to escalate and the fleet continues to age;
AND WHEREAS BC Ferries management has declared that the answers to the problem
are threefold, one action is to reduce services, the second is to increase charges and the
third is to increase traffic:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that BC Ferries be instructed to actively pursue other
options, starting with an up-to-date Strategic Plan which could include, but not be
constrained to, such examples as:
1. Regionalization of the managerial structure and accountability for decision making;
2. Reorganization of the labour force;
3. Greater efficiency in scheduling and dispatch;
4. Regain the right to manage what has been abrogated by labour contracts; and
5. Improved sales and marketing strategies, etc.
Conference Decision:
R26 SMALL CRAFT HARBOURS FACILITIES Tofino
WHEREAS Coastal Communities of British Columbia rely on the Small Craft Harbors
facilities owned by Federal Fisheries, and those facilities are vital to the heritage and
economic well being of these communities;
AND WHEREAS Coastal Communities of British Columbia have suffered great losses
from significant reduction in commercial fishing opportunities and have had to attract
new industries and uses of these facilities to survive;
AND WHEREAS these new industries using the Small Craft Harbours facilities are
integral to the working harbour heritage of coastal communities;
AND WHEREAS Small Craft Harbours (SCH) Branch of Federal Fisheries currently
have a policy that their facilities must be owned for commercial fishing purposes, or be
disposed of;
AND WHEREAS any facility not owned by the Federal Government that is used for
commercial purposes, would be subject to B.C. Assets and Lands commercial lease rates
making those facilities uneconomical to operate:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities respectfully requests that the Small Craft Harbours Branch revise their
policy to include more broad commercial uses that are indicative of coastal
communities of British Columbia.
Conference Decision:
SELECTED ISSUES
SELECTED ISSUES
R27 AFFORDABLE HOUSING Central Saanich
WHEREAS affordable housing is necessary to maintain strong and vibrant communities
and increase community capacity;
AND WHEREAS Canadian communities have increasingly realized that the quality of
life in a municipality is an important asset in economic competitiveness:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver and Coastal
Communities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities strongly urge the
Government of British Columbia to maintain its commitment to the development of
new social housing through appropriate funding of housing programs.
Conference Decision:
R28 GENETICALLY ENGINEERED (GE) FOODS Port Alberni
WHEREAS public opinion polls in the past six years show that 93% of Canadians want
a mandatory labeling policy regarding genetically engineered (genetically modified)
foods;
AND WHEREAS thirty-six countries including all members of the European Union
have implemented a mandatory labeling policy for genetically-engineered (GE) foods;
AND WHEREAS Mr. Charles Caccia, MP has introduced a Private Member’s Bill, C-
287, which calls for an amendment to the Food and Drug Act ensuring that all GE foods
be labeled, so that consumers can make informed choices:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities support Bill C-287 in principle and
indicate such support by letter to the Minister of Agriculture, the Prime Minister’s
Office and the House of Commons.
Conference Decision:
______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO OTHER RESOLUTIONS
IN THE RESOLUTIONS BOOK
R29 PROVINCIAL OFF-LOADING Parksville
WHEREAS the Provincial Government discussion paper on the Community Charter
defines “off-loading” (in part) as a proposal by the Provincial Government “to vacate a
field and leave it to a municipality”;
AND WHEREAS the same discussion paper refers to new, related principles requiring:
a) consultation in advance and
b) transfer of funding resources with off-loading;
AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government is considering reducing or eliminating
financial support for various groups, such as Heritage BC, Tourism BC, etc.:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal
Communities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the Provincial
Government acknowledge the above noted principles and thereby consult with affected
local governments regarding the impact of Provincial Government funding cuts, and
where such are implemented, identify the accompanying financial resources available:
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that AVICC and UBCM voice concern to the
Provincial Government for this form of “soft off-loading”.
Refer to SR1
Conference Decision:
R30 PROVINCIAL DOWNLOADING Sunshine Coast RD
WHEREAS the provincial government has reduced or eliminated some services
essential to the public;
AND WHEREAS the provincial government in its “New Era” document made a
commitment to “outlaw ‘offloading’ of provincial government costs onto the backs of
local property taxpayers”:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government ensure that changes
brought about by the Core Review not result in local governments being forced to
choose between providing the service formally provided by the province or seeing the
service disappear.
Refer to SR1
Conference Decision:
R31 REDUCTION OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES Campbell River
WHEREAS local government is best qualified to understand the strengths, needs and
challenges of local communities;
AND WHEREAS the roles, rights and responsibilities of local governments will be
redefined by the fall of 2002 through the new Community Charter;
AND WHEREAS there is concern that the Provincial Government will shift primary
support for key social services to communities and families;
AND WHEREAS the Provincial Government has further announced its intentions to
reduce program funding for services such as child protection, environmental services
and aboriginal services by as much as 50%;
AND WHEREAS the provincial economy is in a fragile state and a dramatic reduction
in community support services and funding will create further economic instability:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the District of Campbell River request that the
Provincial Government:
• ensures full community consultation on program reviews and funding reductions;
• does not off-load current provincial program responsibilities onto communities and
families without ensuring program integrity and adequate funding;
• ensures that any transitions in program funding or delivery be done on a schedule
that is respectful to the service recipients, program providers and local economies.
Refer to SR1
Conference Decision:
APPENDIX B(1)
2003 AVICC MEMBERS
CITIES VILLAGES
Courtenay Alert Bay
Duncan Cumberland
Nanaimo Gold River
Parksville Port Alice
Port Alberni Sayward
Victoria Tahsis
Zeballos
DISTRICTS REGIONAL DISTRICTS
Campbell River Alberni-Clayoquot
Central Saanich Capital
Esquimalt Central Coast
Highlands Comox-Strathcona
Langford Cowichan Valley
Metchosin Mount Waddington
North Cowichan Nanaimo
North Saanich Powell River
Oak Bay Sunshine Coast
Port Hardy Islands Trust
Powell River
Saanich
Sechelt
Sechelt Indian Government District
Sooke
Tofino
Ucluelet
TOWNS
Comox
Gibsons
Ladysmith
Lake Cowichan
Port McNeill
Qualicum Beach
Sidney
View Royal
APPENDIX B(2)
AVICC LIFE MEMBERS
DATE POSITION/NAME PLACE
1949-1950 Lorne Jordan Port Alberni
1951-1952 Earl Westwood Nanaimo
1953 Bert Beasley North Cowichan
1954 Bill Henderson Cumberland
1955-1956 C.A.P. Murson North Cowichan
1957 Alf Wurtele Esquimalt
1958 Jack Dobson Duncan
1959 Bill Moore Courtenay
1960 George Chatterton Saanich
1962 John Cook Nanaimo
1963 Don Morton North Cowichan
1964 Reeve Lee Central Saanich
1965 Fred Bishop Port Alberni
1966 Doug Watts Oak Bay
1967 Les Hammer Port Alberni
1968 Rob Baird Victoria
1969 Kay Grouhel Ladysmith
1970 S.A.D. Pike Powell River
1971-1972 Archie Galbraith Central Saanich
1973-1974 G.H.A. MacKay Nanaimo
1974-1975 William (Bronco) Moncrief Cumberland
1975-1976 Ed Lum Victoria
1976-1977 George McKnight Port Alberni
1977–1978 K. Paskin Duncan
1978-1979 Ken Hill Esquimalt
1979-1980 Mayor George Piercy Comox
1980-1981 Mel Couvelier Saanich
1981-1982 Mayor Anne Fiddick Gold River
1982-1983 Alderman Dick Winkleman Nanaimo
1983-1984 Mayor Norma Sealey Sidney
1984-1985 Mayor Robert Ostler Campbell River
1985-1986 Mayor Gillian Trumper Port Alberni
1986-1987 Alderman William (Bill) Kinley Port McNeill
1987-1988 Mayor Tom McCrae Tahsis
1989-1990 Mayor Frank Ney Nanaimo
Director George Borza Nanaimo R.D.
Mayor George Cochrane Courtenay
Alderman Walter Behn Port Alberni
Alderman Eric Simmons Victoria
1990-1991 Alderman Bill Cox Ladysmith
1992-1993 Mayor Ron Webber Courtenay
1993-1994 Mayor Al Huddlestan Port Hardy
1994-1995 Councillor Martin Segger Victoria
1995-1996 Councillor Maxine Williams Alert Bay
1996-1997 Director Jim Gurney Sunshine Coast R.D.
1998-1999 Mayor James Lornie Campbell River
1999-2000 Councillor John Crook Langford
2000-2001 Mayor Frank Leonard Saanich
2001-2003 Mrs. Pearl Myhres Zeballos
2004-2005 Councillor Mary Ashley Campbell River
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