A ‘roadmap’ to reforming regional government is finally underway
It’s no wonder regional governments such as the CRD are a punching bag for taxpayers and critics.
Regional district legislation was created in 1965 and it still wasn’t modernized in the early 2000s as announced by the province. Aside from some tinkering, regional governments have been essentially trying to function under dusty, sixty-year-old legislation.
At long last – and if all goes to plan – provincial politicians will soon get another opportunity to do their job and overhaul this critical legislation.
This spring local politicians around the province put the final touches on something called the Roadmap: Reforming the Local Government Act. Their recommendations will then go to the annual meeting of the UBCM this fall for discussion and eventually for possible adoption by the province.
From 2003 to 2022 there were 161 resolutions to the UBCM regarding the amendment of the Local Government Act. Another 71 were not endorsed or admitted for debate.
According to consultants the common theme centred around governance rules, taxation and other revenue, powers, First Nations and processes for providing services.
In recent years the urgency for reform has been building for a variety of reasons, notably, calls for more financial resources, First Nations involvement, and broader regulatory powers. A growing list of struggling local governments have also highlighted the weaknesses in governance.
Regional government in the capital region has a far-reaching impact on taxpayers and will manage a consolidated budget of $890 million in 2025.
It includes the CRD, Capital Regional Hospital District, and Capital Region Housing Corporation Boards plus over 70 commissions and committees that oversee operations.