2023 R39 – Modernization of the Local Government Act
- Year: 2023
- AVICC Number: R39
- UBCM Number: EB66
- Sunshine Coast RD
Whereas a comprehensive review of the legislation governing regional districts has not been done; however, the social, political and economic environments in which local governments operate has dramatically evolved in areas including increased populations living in unincorporated areas, response to climate change, and First Nations’ participation in regional governance;
And whereas the accountabilities of regional districts continue to increase, most recently with updates to emergency management legislation, but regional districts lack the tools and authority needed to meet these expanded responsibilities;
And whereas UBCM has endorsed multiple resolutions asking for a review of the Local Government Act as it relates to the legislative authority of regional districts; most recently in 2015, 2018, and 2022, and the province has been promising these urgently needed legislative updates for over twenty years:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM work with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and regional districts to ensure that a comprehensive review and modernization of the Local Government Act is prioritized during the current municipal term of office.
- Year: 2023
- AVICC Number: R39
- Sponsor: Sunshine Coast RD
- Resolution Type: Provincial
- Category: Legislative
- AVICC Decision: Endorsed
- AVICC Action: Conveyed to Province, Conveyed to UBCM, Education Session, Forwarded to UBCM, Media Release, Member Working Group
- AVICC Response: AVICC led a province-wide engagement on the matter of reforming regional district legislation included in the Local Government Act that included collaboration through all five area associations. In July 2025, the UBCM Executive added the issue to UBCM's workplan, and in August 2025, the results of the engagement were presented to the Province for review.
- AVICC Response link
- UBCM Number: EB66
- UBCM Decision: Endorsed
- Provincial Response:Ministry of Municipal Affairs The Ministry recognizes that regional districts play a key role in British Columbias local government system and will be critical to the systems success in the 21st century. The Ministry recognizes that regional districts are diverse and can face unique challenges that may require customized solutions. As the expectations of residents on regional districts continues to change and evolve, the province will need to work closely with UBCM and regional districts to ensure they have effective, flexible, and up-to-date tools to fulfill their distinct roles and responsibilities within BCs local government system. While the challenges that regional districts face are significant, it is important to note that UBCM and the Ministry have worked closely together since the 1990s to develop and maintain a statutory framework that, for the most part, has proven flexible enough for regional districts to adapt to the diverse and evolving needs of their communities. For example, the Local Government Acts innovative regulation-making authorities have been used regularly to empower regional districts that are ready to design a regulatory framework with targeted authorities e.g., business licensing, dangerous dogs, fireworks authority. In certain circumstances, use of these targeted authorities by individual local governments can inform future discussions about the potential for general authorities. Historically this has been a reliable approach to evolving local government authorities and is evident in the recent amendments to the Local Government Act enabling any regional district to implement a business licensing service. Those amendments build on an earlier Local Government Act regulation that provided business licensing authority by regulation for a specific regional district. Given the challenges associated with broad legislative changes, regional districts facing unique challenges may have an interest in working with the Ministry to explore the possibility of developing a regulation to implement solutions tailored to those challenges. Those regional districts are encouraged to reach out to Ministry staff to explore potential approaches that can address their unique challenges. Additionally, the Ministry is interested in hearing specific areas where a targeted approach to regional district challenges could benefit from direct authorities in the Local Government Act.
- UBCM Response link
The AVICC acknowledges that we are grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of theCoast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwak-Waka’wakw Peoples