Local Government in British Columbia
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Local Government in British Columbia Fourth Edition Robert L. Bish Eric G. Clemens Published by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, Fourth Edition Local Government in British Columbia Fourth Edition Robert L. Bish Eric G. Clemens Published by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA ISBN 978-0-9695043-2-0 Copyright 1987, 1990 by Robert L. Bish Copyright 1999 by Robert L. Bish and Eric Clemens Copyright 2008 by UBCM This publication was produced with volunteer effort and taxpayer support through government employee staff contributions to provide greater knowledge about local government in British Columbia. It may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted without prior permission of the publisher with proper attribution to the authors and UBCM. Printed in Canada Published by: Union of British Columbia Municipalities Suite 60 – 10551 Shellbridge Way Richmond, BC, Canada V6X 2W9 Tel: 604.270.8226 Fax: 604.270.9116 E-mail: [email protected] www.civicnet.bc.ca Dedicated to Eric G. Clemens 1938–2008 Eric was a friend, colleague, and mentor to many. Thanks to his years of dedication working on this book, we all have a greater knowledge and understanding of the importance and value of local government in British Columbia. LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA vii Contents EXHIBITS x PREFACE xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The Role of Local Government ............................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Basic Concepts and Objectives............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Collective Problems............................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Overview of Local Governments in British Columbia ....................................................................... 4 1.5 Observations........................................................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Organization of this Book ..................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER TWO: THE PROVINCIAL SETTING 11 2.1 The Provincial Government ................................................................................................................ 11 2.2 Local Government Organizations and Interest Groups..................................................................... 12 2.3 Provincial Ministry and Agency Functions Related to Local Government.................................... 13 2.4 Statutory Officers of the Legislature Related to Local Government ................................................. 18 2.5 Judicial Review.................................................................................................................................... 19 2.6 Observations on the Provincial Setting .............................................................................................. 19 CHAPTER THREE: MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS 21 3.1 History .................................................................................................................................................. 21 3.2 Incorporation, Expansion, and Amalgamation .................................................................................. 24 3.3 Municipal Functions and Expenditures.............................................................................................. 29 3.4 Municipal Governance ........................................................................................................................ 32 3.5 Municipal Elections and Referenda.................................................................................................... 35 3.6 Examples of Municipal Organization................................................................................................. 38 3.7 Observations on Municipal Governments.......................................................................................... 42 CHAPTER FOUR: REGIONAL DISTRICT GOVERNMENTS 45 4.1 History and Structure........................................................................................................................... 45 4.2 Regional District Functions and Expenditures .................................................................................. 49 4.3 Regional District Governance............................................................................................................. 53 4.4 Examples of Regional District Organization ..................................................................................... 57 4.5 Observations on Regional District Governments .............................................................................. 61 CHAPTER FIVE: OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 65 5.1 School Districts.................................................................................................................................... 65 5.2 Improvement Districts......................................................................................................................... 68 5.3 Regional Hospital Districts ................................................................................................................. 72 5.4 Regional Library Districts................................................................................................................... 73 5.5 The Islands Trust ................................................................................................................................. 74 viii LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 5.6 Sechelt Indian Government District................................................................................................... 76 5.7 South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) ............................................ 77 5.8 Other Small Local Government Bodies.............................................................................................78 5.9 Observations on Other Local Governments ...................................................................................... 79 CHAPTER SIX: SERVICE DELIVERY 81 6.1 Economies of Scope and Scale........................................................................................................... 81 6.2 Characteristics of Services.................................................................................................................. 82 6.3 Service Delivery Options.................................................................................................................... 84 6.4 Service Delivery Performance............................................................................................................ 89 6.5 Local Government Service Delivery Systems................................................................................... 95 CHAPTER SEVEN: PROTECTIVE SERVICES 97 7.1 Police Protection.................................................................................................................................. 97 7.2 Fire Protection ................................................................................................................................... 107 7.3 Emergency Protection ....................................................................................................................... 111 7.4 Observations on Protective Services................................................................................................ 114 CHAPTER EIGHT: ENGINEERING SERVICES 115 8.1 Water Supply ..................................................................................................................................... 115 8.2 Liquid Waste Management............................................................................................................... 119 8.3 Solid Waste Management ................................................................................................................. 122 8.4 Transportation System Management................................................................................................ 127 8.5 Public Transit..................................................................................................................................... 130 8.6 Emerging Engineering Service Activities........................................................................................ 135 8.7 Observations on Engineering Services ............................................................................................ 136 CHAPTER NINE: HUMAN SERVICES 137 9.1 Education ........................................................................................................................................... 137 9.2 Parks and Recreation......................................................................................................................... 140 9.3 Libraries ............................................................................................................................................. 142 9.4 Museums ............................................................................................................................................ 143 9.5 Public Health ..................................................................................................................................... 145 9.6 Social Housing..................................................................................................................................