Year: 1997 Category: Special Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Impacts of Provincial Cutbacks
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Summit denounce these reductions on the basis that:
1. The reductions contravene the Local Government Grants Act enacted after a joint review of the previous revenue sharing program – legislation that was promised to provide certainty and predictability.
2. The social and economic consequences of cutbacks in terms of increased tax burden, job losses, increased crime and loss of valued services will lead to a decline in the quality of life in many communities.
3. They were delivered unilaterally and without the provincial government’s promised consultation.
4. The cutbacks are a classic case of downloading.
5. The numbers the provincial government is using to describe the magnitude of the cuts are misleading to the public as to the real impacts to British Columbians.
6. There was insufficient notice to communities.
7. The cuts erode any certainty and predictability for 1998 and beyond.
8. The cutbacks fail to account for service provided to the province by municipalities at little or no cost.
9. The cuts compound the impacts already identified from provincial government action to give property tax breaks to major railways and other Crown corporations, to eliminate services that were available in many communities and to cancel valued programs, including building standards.
Year: 1997 Category: Special Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Courthouse Closures
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities petition the government to halt implementation of closure of courthouses until these issues have been examined and resolved through consultation with local government.
Year: 1997 Category: Special Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Public Private Partnerships
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that:
a) the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities request Mr. Don Lidstone to proceed with finalizing the required amendments to the Municipal Act to allow Public/Private Partnerships
and
b) that these proposed amendments to the Municipal Act be sent to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to be presented to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to review with the intent of streamlining the Municipal Act to allow Public/Private Partnerships.
Year: 1997 Category: Special Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Reform of Municipal Legislation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this special UBCM Financial & Legislative Summit call on the provincial government to enact at the next session of the House, legislation that addresses local government needs for legislation that:
- recognizes that local governments are competent levels of government with well defined duties and powers to plan and manage the affairs of their communities
- eliminates provincial government approvals
- facilitates the streamlining of government
- empowers local government through deregulation
- facilitates administrative efficiencies and cost-effective local government
- provides greater flexibility to manage local government, and
- addresses the need for new revenue sources, given local governments added responsibilities;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Summit support renewal of the Municipal Act with initial directions to be reviewed at the 1997 UBCM Convention.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Enactment of Bylaws and Resolutions
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities support and endorse a resolution to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities urging that the Municipal Act be amended by including a provision in the British Columbia Municipal Act which is equivalent to Section 107 of the Ontario Municipal Act that provides for “lame duck” regulations.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Municipal Charter
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the government of British Columbia be requested to replace the existing Municipal Act with a new Municipal Charter or Act giving municipalities not only defacto responsibilities as currently spelled out in the Municipal Act, simplify local governance and give municipalities and regional districts the necessary powers, but to also give them the necessary access to revenue sources enabling them to meet the staggering problems of being in the front-line in the struggle of global survival.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Amendment to Municipal Act
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a provision be added to the Municipal Act similar to section 294(8) of the Vancouver Charter so that all municipalities will have the same protection from law suits concerning building permits, where law suits may arise many years after the permit was issued.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Remuneration – Electoral Area Directors
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to amend section 808(3) of the Municipal Act to stipulate that a portion of the cost of remuneration for Electoral Area Directors may be apportioned among the electoral areas of the Regional District.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Tax on Vacant Parcels of Land
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities ask the province to amend the Municipal Act which would permit municipalities to levy a parcel tax on vacant parcels of land in the city which will benefit from the sewer and water infrastructure currently in place, but which do not currently pay user fees.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Provincial Reductions
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the province of British Columbia reconsider its actions and reinstate the grant-in-lieu of tax for the Parliament Buildings and the Lieutenant Governor’s residence and all similar crown properties throughout the province.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Revenue Equalization
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities petition the provincial government to apportion a share of the property taxes, royalties and stumpage payments that are paid by the resource industries in those unorganized areas, to the adjoining municipalities.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: NOT Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Wage Loss Reimbursement
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities seek the support of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities in having an appropriate amendment to the Municipal Act enacted by the province that would allow councils to provide for such wage loss reimbursement within the Council Remuneration and Expenses bylaw.
Year: 1997 Category: Legislation Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Wildland/Urban Interface Hazard
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing be requested to approach the Provincial Cabinet to adopt an Order in Council addressing the wildland/urban interface in the following manner:
1. Local governments be encouraged through the Beware and Prepare Community Planner to identify areas which are prone to wildland/urban interface fires, and to establish appropriate policies regarding land use patterns within and adjacent to these areas.
2. Section 976(5)(a) of the Municipal Act be amended by adding an additional category ‘wildlife/urban interface fire hazard areas’ to enable local governments to establish development permit guidelines and utilize mitigating measures to minimize the risk to public safety and loss due to property damage through interface fires.
Year: 1997 Category: Community and Resources Status: NOT Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Land Use – Provincial Forest Policies
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia petition the provincial government to empower an independent commission to look into privatizing crown land forest land and to ensure an equitable distribution among local existing and interested corporation, contractors and individuals.
Year: 1997 Category: Community and Resources Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Funding By Forest Renewal BC Of Road Construction and
Maintenance in Forest Based Communities
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities recommends to Forest Renewal BC that Forest Renewal BC fund road construction and maintenance projects where it can be demonstrated that such works will enhance long term resource community stability, provide opportunities to diversify local economies and create conditions that support permanent jobs within forest based communities.
Year: 1997 Category: Community and Resources Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Request for Increased Membership – Forest Renewal BC
Communities Committee
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities request that the Board of Directors of Forest Renewal BC increase the number of members from the forest based communities of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast on its Communities Committee, both to more accurately reflect the value of Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast forestry as a percentage of the forestry industry in BC and to more sufficiently address the needs of Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast forestry workers in a time of rapid and often difficult transition.
Year: 1997 Category: Community and Resources Status: Referred
Resolution: Fish Farm Tenures
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities demand that the provincial government provide the industry with security of tenure and immediately lift the moratorium granting new farm tenures for the industry to grow and contribute to Vancouver Island and other coastal communities.
Referred to the AVIM Executive
Year: 1997 Category: Health Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Health Regionalization
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minister of Health disband this new Regional Health Board concept and establish single elected and accountable Regional Boards and/or Community Health Councils, within existing Regional District boundaries throughout the province.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Closure and Removal of Railway Infrastructure
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities strongly oppose the closure and removal of railway infrastructure.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Mileage Distance Markers on The Island Highway
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities petition the Ministry of Transportation and Highways to install kilometer sign posts at 5 kilometer intervals on the Island Highway.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Closure of Provincial Building Standards Branch
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to facilitate a meeting with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and Associations representing the construction industry to develop a program to deal with disputes regarding the interpretation of the building code and that the Minister of Municipal Affairs be petitioned to re-instate the full services of the Building Standards Branch.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Downtown Revitalization Program
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to immediately reinstate the Downtown Revitalization Program.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Expansion of Navy Bases
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the Federal Government to deploy navy personnel and equipment to other ports along the west coast, such as Prince Rupert, Port Hardy and Port Alberni where they would be available for services to mariners.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Transfer of Additional Ships to the West Coast
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the Federal Government to place an appropriately larger segment of the Canadian Navy on the west coast.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Casions & Video Lottery Terminals
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities advise the provincial government that they are opposed to the operation of casinos and video lottery terminals within British Columbia and that the province prepare legislation calling for a province wide referendum on the issue prior to proceeding further.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: West Coast Trail
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities support the District of Port Hardy’s submission that the provincial government commit funds to the development of the North Coast Trail as promised in the summer of 1995.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Capture of Orca Whales
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities respectfully request of the government of Japan that it do everything in its power to return these captive orcas to their family in the ocean as soon as possible.
Year: 1997 Category: Selected Issues Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Service Fee for Utility Installation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Vancouver Island Municipalities and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities strongly request the provincial government to restore equal rights on this matter immediately, and that the AVIM and UBCM proceed immediately to convince the provincial government of this specific need for fair and equal treatment for all municipal taxpayers in all of the province of British Columbia.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Filling RCMP Temporary Vacancies
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the Attorney General to permit RCMP detachments to backfill vacancy positions that affect the policing complement.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Impaired Drivers
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM recommend to the provincial government through the offices of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Ministry of Health and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia that a program of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of impaired drivers be instituted forthwith on a user pay basis.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Impact of Municipal Bylaws on Value
of Land Undergoing Expropriation
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be urged to amend Section 32(g) of the Expropriation Act so that it reads:
“In determining the market value of land, no account shall be taken of any increase or decrease in value of the land that results from the enactment or amendment of a zoning bylaw, official community plan or analogous enactment made with a view to the expropriation.”
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Donation of Food Act
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request the provincial government to enact a Donation of Food Act in the province as soon as possible.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: NOT Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Commercial Assessment Increase Phasing
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities urge the province to enact legislation to phase in land and improvement assessments for Class 6 (Business & Other) properties, where there has been an increase in excess of 20 percent from one assessment year to another.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Restrictions to Vehicle Size
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities petition the provincial government to enact regulations for highways outside of municipal boundaries which would regulate the size of vehicles permitted in residential neighborhoods within Electoral Areas; or alternatively, that the province grant authority to regional districts to establish an extended service to provide for such regulations within residential neighborhoods of electoral areas.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Extension of Farm Practices Act to
Aquaculture and Non-ALR Lands
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to abandon the application of the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act to aquaculture and lands not within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Year: 1997 Category: Referred Resolutions Status: Endorsed by AVIM
Resolution: Farm Practices Protection Act –
Land Use Standards
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to refrain from enacting regulations to apply uniform land use standards to all Agricultural Land Reserve lands in the province.