Quasi Legal Challenges
- BC Human Rights Tribunal
- BC Civil Resolution Tribunal
- BC and Federal Government Complaint and Appeal Processes
- BC and Federal Privacy Legislation
- Inspector of Municipalities BC
- Freedom of Information
Taxpayers Groups
Richmond Taxpayers Alliance – learn about this fledgling group http://richmondtaxpayersalliance.org/
Interested TaxPayers Action Committee (ITAC) of West Vancouver
http://thepluckedgoose.wordpress.com/
pluckedgoose@gmail.com
Books
Local Government in BC, Robert Bish and Eric Clemens, 250 pages, one of the bibles on the subject. Query entire book at www.ubcm.ca/
Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, an enduring humorous classics of Canadian literature, 1912, free and comforting from Project Gutenburg. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3533/3533-h/3533-h.htm
Elections
CivicInfoBC – Complete 2014 local government and school district election results. www.election2014.civicinfo.bc.ca
Elections BC – Detailed 2014 election financial disclosure statements of your local Greater Victoria candidates. Who gave, how much, to whom. And how much did unions or corporate donations contribute to our politicians. link
Provincial Parties – Green Party BC – www.greenparty.bc.ca , BC Liberals – www.bcliberals.com , Conservative Party Victoria – http://victoria.conservative.ca/
Advocacy Groups
Amalgamation Yes – Established in 2014, it’s mission is to achieve more effective and accountable governance within the Capital Region through municipal amalgamation. This non-profit, non partisan volunteer group describes its vision as “a vibrant, diverse and integrated regional community, responsive to local needs through effective planning, co-ordination and delivery of services that will ensure a high quality of life for current and future generations.” Its recent goal was to bring about a non-binding referendum in conjunction with the 2014 municipal election.
Anti amalgamation group – www.facebook.com/groups/673159759451875/?pnref=lhc
Canadian Tax Federation BC – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit citizen’s group dedicated to lower taxes, less waste and accountable government. Established in 1990, boasting 80,000 supporters nationwide with regional office in Vancouver. A kindred spirit but unaffiliated to Grumpy Taxpayers of Greater Victoria. www.taxpayer.com/campaign-and-issues/british-columbia/
Union of BC Municipalities – The advocate and voice of BC local government. www.ubcm.ca
Federation of Canadian Municipalities – The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of municipal government representing 2,000 municipalities, or 90 per cent of Canada’s municipal population. CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with over 628,000 members across the country. Big City Mayors Caucus – Victoria and Saanich not members – influential in national policy initiatives. www.fcm.ca
Authorities/Commissions
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority – Incorporated as a not-for-profit society in 2002, and began operating its four port facilities, divested from Transport Canada. Acting as an advocate for the harbour, the GVHA is working to improve its function as a working harbour, and a marine transportation centre with a strong focus on tourism. The board is comprised of directors representing the its member agencies and organizations (Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, the Victoria/Esquimalt Harbour Society, Tourism Victoria, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and the Capital Regional district) and four community directors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Victoria_Harbour_Authority
Victoria Regional Transit Commission – Provides public transportation in the Greater Victoria region of BC. Its operations are governed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission in association with BC Transit. Overseen by a seven member board of directors, mostly regional mayors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Regional_Transit_System
Community Groups
Vital Signs – The Victoria Foundation is a registered charity that invests in “people, projects and non-profits that make our community stronger.” In 2014, the Victoria Foundation granted $13.3 million, for a total of over $144 million awarded since the Foundation was established in 1936. Publishes an excellent Vital Signs annual report focusing on state of the Victoria community and most pressing concerns and needs. www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca
Vibrant Victoria – Discussion forums and gateway on all things Victoria related including Victoria politics, City of Victoria, condo-commercial projects, media, Victoria and south island economy, heritage etc. www.vibrantvictoria.ca
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce – A little bit of everything including issues and policies, community profile and economic development info. www.victoriachamber.ca
IPAC BC – The Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) is a non-profit professional association, dedicated to promoting excellence in the public administration www.ipac-victoria.ca
Government Bodies
Capital Regional District – A local government administrative district of 360.000 encompassing the southern tip ofVancouver Island the southern Gulf Islands. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_Regional_District plus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regional_districts_of_British_Columbia
BC Local Government Department – The local government department “works for the betterment of all British Columbians” through partnerships with local governments, provincial and federal agencies, First Nations and other organizations to achieve its vision. www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd
BC Local Government Act – Legal underpinning of the municipalities. http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/96323_00
Office of the Ombudsman BC – Can help determine whether provincial government authorities have acted fairly and reasonably – and whether their actions and decisions were consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures. As an independent statutory office of the provincial legislature, services are provided free of charge. Each year, they receive approximately 7,500 enquiries and complaints, conduct 2,000 individual investigations and early resolutions. Also, publish larger-scale systemic investigation reports that address the wider concerns.
FOI – The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) establishes the public’s right to access provincial records, subject to limited exceptions to disclosure. http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/open-government/open-information/freedom-of-information/learn-more-about-foi
Usually each jurisdiction appoints a staff to handle requests. Example, FOI to the City of Victoria – http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/departments/legislative-services/freedom-of-information.html FOI to Saanich – www.saanich.ca/services/foi.html
Community profiles
Census Profiles – Stats Can
2006 Data for Victoria – www.victoria.ca/EN/main/community/about/census.html
Unions
CUPE – Local 50 Represents workers at the City of Victoria (inside and outside), Victoria Police Board, BCSPCA Victoria Branch, RCMP Langford support workers, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Royal Oak Burial Park and the United Way of Greater Victoria members and collective agreements www.cupelocal50.ca/index.php?page=sub-locals Local 374 represents District of Saanich.
CUPE BC – CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with over 628,000 members across the country. Various member entities in BC including 24,000 in municipal services. www.cupe.bc.ca/cupe-sectors/agencies
Send along your ideas for additional links.