The brochure for the 2022 convention with information on pre-convention tours and workshops is available at:
Study Tour: ‘Placemaking – Downtown Walking Option or Bike Tour Option’
Let the Neighbourhood Team and friends either cycle you comfortably through the City’s brand- new bike lanes or walk you through downtown on a placemaking tour that showcases projects completed by both residents, staff and artists collaboratively through the City’s My Great Neighbourhood grant program and beyond. This 2.5 hour tour will include everything from parklets to innovative gathering spaces, emergency hubs, community gardens, community art, little free libraries, and interactive musical experiences. The tours will start at 9 am.
Please select either the Downtown Walking option or the Bike Tour option. Bicycles and helmets will be provided for the bike tour as well as light refreshments. Because there is limited space on the tour, we ask that no more than two people from a single local government register for each tour option.
Study Tour: ‘Lekwungen Walking Tour with Mark Albany’
Join Mark Albany, a member of the Songhees Nation, to understand downtown Victoria from a Lekwungen point of view. This is an opportunity to learn about important Lekwungen sites and cultural practices and of the history of displacement of Indigenous peoples that made space for the creation of the City of Victoria. The tour is 2.5 hours starting at 9 am. Because there is limitedspace on the tour, we ask that no more than two people from a single local government register for the tour.
Study Tour: ‘Zero Waste in Action’
Join the City’s zero waste team on a guided bus tour showcasing Victoria’s momentum towards a circular economy. Learn how clever bin design, labelling and new sensor technology is helping to divert waste from the City’s streets and parks. Visit a local deconstruction site, where experts in salvage and reuse are taking apart a building piece-by-piece to preserve old growth lumber.Finally, tour the Food Rescue Distribution Centre, to see how fresh food is being rescued and re-distributed throughout the region, feeding over 35,000 food insecure households. Because there is limited space on the tour, we ask that no more than two people from a single local government register for the tour.
Legislative Reform Initiative: Continuing the Discussion
In June 2021 the Regional District of Nanaimo, with Don Lidstone, Q.C., hosted a session with regional district Chairs and CAOs to explore the possibility of mobilizing a collaborative effort to modernize the Local Government Act. Participants expressed an interest in proceeding with the initiative, pending approval of their respective Boards (the responses are positive!). The purpose of this workshop is to continue the conversation and confirm support for this important initiative, hear from local government partners about aspects of the legislation in need of reform, and focus forward momentum and interjurisdictional collaboration.
Regional districts face complex challenges within the current legislative framework. Changes in demographics and population growth have resulted in increasing demands on electoral areas. While some rural areas are experiencing higher population densities and increased development, others have unique challenges that require more adaptable legislation to assist with service provision in sparsely populated areas.
These changes highlight the limitations on the powers of regional districts in comparison with municipalities in several areas, such as business licensing authority, authority to approve subdivisions, regulation of fireworks discharge, parking enforcement, tree management, and taxation and funding models for services. The extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic have underscored problematic areas in the legislative scheme as it relates to regional district authority, including revenue generation models. Social, political and economic values that regional districts operate within continue to evolve in key respects, such as a recognition of the importance of First Nations’ participation in local governance, and the growing emphasis on climate change and environmental stewardship. This session is also of interest to municipal officials (as many aspects of municipal operations are contained in the LGA) including to those who look to ‘level the playing field’ with their rural neighbours.
Mayors & Chairs Forum and Lunch
The focus of this year’s Mayors and Chairs Forum will be a discussion and sharing of pandemic survival stories. This forum is open to Mayors, Regional District Chairs and First Nations leaders. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 am.
Electoral Area Forum and Lunch
The EA Forum became a regular session at the AVICC Convention in 2016. The Forum provides an excellent opportunity to discuss issues that are common to many electoral areas. As an EA Director we may often feel that we are unique in the challenges we might have in our area, but by attending the Forum soon realize that there are many shared issues. What is most important from the Forum is that we can identify paths to advocate to senior governments to effect change and turn our collaboration into action. A louder voice is better heard. This forum is designed for EA Directors and RD staff. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 am.