BC Municipal Spending Watch 2

Home , Anmore, Esquimalt, New Denver, North Cowichan, Port Clements, Sicamous

Research November 2011

Shachi Kurl, Director of Provincial Affairs, British Columbia & Yukon Madeleine Delli-Benedetti, Research Analyst Intern Queenie Wong, Senior Research Analyst

Figure 1.1 BC Municipal Operating Spending Growth (Adjusted for Inflation) and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

50% Population 45% Growth 46% 40%

35% Operating 30% Spending Growth 25% (Adjusted for Inflation) 20% 15% 12% 10% 5% 0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

www.cfib.ca BC Municipal Spending Watch 2

Section One: Introduction

Section Two: Methodology This section will outline CFIB’s approach to analyzing municipal spending.

Section Three: Municipal Revenue Trends This section provides a breakdown and overview of major revenue sources.

Section Four: Municipal Spending Trends This section will look at municipal spending by geographic region. Operating spending levels and operating spending growth will be analyzed.

Section Five: Basis for Spending Comparison This section will address the feedback received from municipal associations concerning previous reports.

Section Six: Conclusions

Section Seven: Recommendations

1 Leahy, Doug. City of Penticton. 2011. City of Penticton 2009 to 2012 Financial Plans.

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Table 1.1 How BC’s Largest Municipalities Spend (population 25,000 and above) Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

2000-2009 2000-2009 Real 2000-2009 2000-2009** Real Operating Operating 2009 Operating Municipality Population Savings for Spending Spending per Spending per Growth (%) Family of 4 ($) Growth (%) Capita Growth Capita ($) (%)

Penticton 5 66 59 2,326 11,339 West Vancouver 2 45 42 1,850 8,596 Langford 38 160 88 842 9,311 Kelowna 22 76 45 1,552 7,019 Victoria 8 40 30 1,789 6,141 Langley -District 15 85 61 1,144 4,364 North Vancouver -City 7 54 44 1,466 7,761 North Vancouver -District 1 49 48 1,380 7,881 Prince George -3 27 31 1,516 5,739 Abbotsford 13 70 50 1,089 3,226 Vernon 14 70 49 1,097 4,997 Vancouver 11 39 25 1,586 4,787 Chilliwack 18 81 53 939 4,725 Delta -1 25 26 1,448 3,910 New Westminster 13 27 12 1,697 1,665 Richmond 13 47 30 1,302 4,298 Maple Ridge 16 68 44 1,014 5,322 Kamloops 8 34 25 1,342 3,627 Coquitlam 5 40 33 1,146 3,981 Port Moody 34 67 25 1,255 3,656 North Cowichan 9 51 38 983 3,022 Langley - City 3 33 29 1,095 3,621 Saanich 5 37 30 1,057 3,309 Burnaby 12 38 24 1,171 2,584 Surrey 25 73 39 856 3,079 Port Coquitlam 7 38 29 1,036 5,120 Nanaimo 13 35 20 1,215 1,664 Campbell River 7 25 17 1,165 3,507 Mission 15 33 15 1,054 1,148

*The rankings are based on an equal weighting of 2000-2009 operating spending growth and 2009 operating spending levels. This is different from previous reports that mainly considered operating spending growth. Overall rankings are available in Appendix III and IV.

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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Table 1.2 BC’s Freest Spending Municipalities – The 30 Worst Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

2000-2009 Real 2000-2009 Real 2000-2009 2000-2009** Operating Operating 2009 Operating Municipality Population Savings for Spending Spending per Spending per Growth (%) Family of 4 ($) Growth (%) Capita Growth Capita ($) (%)

Lytton -29 85 161 4,826 42,175 Whistler 11 86 68 6,306 36,663 Stewart -27 31 79 4,083 11,122 Sooke 15 297 246 702 8,909 Fort Nelson (Northern Rockies RM) 28 185 122 3,126 17,341 Port Edward -18 51 84 3,479 46,269 Fort St. James -35 36 109 2,629 26,734 Zeballos -31 8 57 3,585 16,024 Fraser Lake -14 82 110 2,389 10,790 Mackenzie -32 29 89 2,661 20,383 Valemount -15 56 83 2,440 9,986 Wells 7 64 53 2,996 19,974 Lions Bay -5 124 135 1,280 10,971 McBride -7 70 82 2,221 19,364 Chetwynd -6 66 75 2,330 16,760 Sayward -15 30 53 2,739 8,310 Masset -7 25 33 3,062 26,593 Granisle 4 48 42 2,802 14,244 Penticton 5 66 59 2,326 11,339 Tahsis -43 -38 8 3,223 8,910 Dawson Creek 6 52 43 2,459 12,947 Ucluelet -2 50 53 2,264 16,350 Kimberley 2 63 60 2,077 13,776 Tofino 24 100 61 2,039 14,647 Hudson's Hope 1 33 33 2,510 15,989 Port Clements -11 48 66 1,815 8,605 Lillooet -16 54 83 1,428 8,449 Osoyoos 20 118 81 1,442 6,123 Golden -2 75 79 1,466 9,196 Clinton -5 49 57 1,884 9,511

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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2 A standardized index is created for each indicator (between 0 and 100). A municipality with the highest real operating spending per capita growth is given a score of 0 while the municipality with the lowest 2000-2009 real operating spending per capita growth is given a score of 100. All other municipalities are given a 3 Barriere, Canal Flats, Clearwater, Lantzville, proportionate score within that range. The same Queen Charlotte, Sechelt Indian Government, exercise is applied to the indicator for the 2009 Vanderhoof and West Kelowna, were excluded operating spending per capita. from the study because of the lack of information dating back to 2000.

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Figure 3.1 Sources of Municipal Revenue (Percentage of Total), 2009

Other Developer 4% Contributions 8% Government Transfers 9% Own Purpose Taxation 47%

Sales of Services 32%

Figure 3.2 Growth of Revenue Sources, 2000-2009

590%

214%

123% 78% 62%

Own Purpose Sales of Services Government Developer Total Revenue Taxation Transfers Contributions

4 Previously known as the Ministry of Community Services.

5 In the case of West Vancouver, transportation and transit expenses have also been excluded from operating spending because there was a dramatic change in these expenses after 2000 that skewed the spending numbers. This is addressed previous editions of this report.

Due to changes in accounting practices, starting from 2008, amortization is excluded from total expenses.

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Figure 4.1 Real Operating Spending Growth and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

100% Population Growth 85% 80%

60% Operating Spending 40% Growth (Adjusted for 20% Inflation)

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009 -20% -29%

-40%

50% Population 45% Growth 40%

30% Operating Spending Growth 20% (Adjusted for Inflation) 10% 2% 0% 2000 2003 2006 2009 -10%

50% Population Growth 39% 40%

Operating 30% Spending Growth (Adjusted for Inflation) 20%

11% 10%

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

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Table 4.1 Vancouver, Coast & Mountain Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

Lytton -29 85 161 4,826 42,175 Lions Bay -5 124 135 1,280 10,971 West Vancouver 2 45 42 1,850 8,596 Pitt Meadows 18 104 73 1,092 5,543 Kent 8 80 67 1,216 7,318 Langley-District 15 85 61 1,144 4,364 North Vancouver-City 7 54 44 1,466 7,761 North Vancouver-District 1 49 48 1,380 7,881 Bowen Island 20 63 36 1,370 5,369 Abbotsford 13 70 50 1,089 3,226 Vancouver 11 39 25 1,586 4,787 Chilliwack 18 81 53 939 4,725 Harrison Hot Springs 25 57 26 1,470 963 Delta -1 25 26 1,448 3,910 New Westminster 13 27 12 1,697 1,665 Belcarra -5 39 47 985 5,285 Richmond 13 47 30 1,302 4,298 White Rock 4 40 34 1,226 4,420 Hope -1 34 35 1,197 5,003 Maple Ridge 16 68 44 1,014 5,322 Anmore 53 126 48 857 9,031 Port Moody 34 67 25 1,255 3,656 Langley-City 3 33 29 1,095 3,621 Burnaby 12 38 24 1,171 2,584 Surrey 25 73 39 856 3,079 Port Coquitlam 7 38 29 1,036 5,120 Mission 15 33 15 1,054 1,148

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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Figure 4.2 Real Operating Spending Growth and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

300% Population 297% Growth 250%

200% Operating Spending Growth 150% (Adjusted for Inflation) 100%

50% 15%

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

50% Population Growth 40% 40%

Operating 30% Spending Growth (Adjusted for Inflation) 20%

10% 8%

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

6 Sooke incorporated in December 1999 to become the District of Sooke. Operations began in 2000 with the introduction of a skeletal budget.

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Table 4.2 Vancouver Island Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

Sooke 15 297 246 702 8,909 Zeballos -31 8 57 3,585 16,024 Sayward -15 30 53 2,739 8,310 Tahsis -43 -38 8 3,223 8,910 Metchosin 1 114 111 626 5,761 View Royal 28 133 82 988 11,655 Langford 38 160 88 842 9,311 Colwood 11 102 81 825 7,402 Victoria 8 40 30 1,789 6,141 Esquimalt 5 50 43 1,406 5,999 North Saanich 4 57 51 1,099 6,559 Cumberland 20 89 57 968 7,014 Oak Bay 0 26 26 1,426 4,000 Central Saanich 2 41 38 1,184 4,711 Highlands 24 95 57 769 6,432 Gold River -3 0 4 1,720 -2,579 North Cowichan 9 51 38 983 3,022 Duncan 6 35 27 1,180 -68 Saanich 5 37 30 1,057 3,309 Sidney 3 24 20 1,222 3,492 Nanaimo 13 35 20 1,215 1,664 Comox 18 52 29 966 935 Ladysmith 22 46 20 1,104 1,152 Campbell River 7 25 17 1,165 3,507 Courtenay 29 48 15 1,152 2,616 Lake Cowichan 13 16 2 955 -1,951 Qualicum Beach 26 21 -4 1,001 -3,795 Parksville 14 8 -5 910 2,592

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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Figure 4.3 Real Operating Spending Growth and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

80% Population Growth 66% 60%

Operating 40% Spending Growth (Adjusted for Inflation) 20%

5% 0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

-20%

80% Population 76% Growth

60% Operating Spending Growth 40% (Adjusted for Inflation)

22% 20%

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

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Table 4.3 Thompson Okanagan Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

Valemount -15 56 83 2,440 9,986 Penticton 5 66 59 2,326 11,339 Osoyoos 20 118 81 1,442 6,123 Summerland 4 66 60 1,786 10,538 Lumby 5 95 86 998 8,535 Lake Country 22 97 62 1,244 7,194 Kelowna 22 76 45 1,552 7,019 Cache Creek 2 33 30 1,731 4,531 Vernon 14 70 49 1,097 4,997 Merritt 0 34 34 1,329 1,754 Peachland 12 55 38 1,195 3,407 Keremeos 27 90 50 935 4,084 Logan Lake -6 19 27 1,371 1,600 Kamloops 8 34 25 1,342 3,627 Oliver 12 54 37 1,065 3,741 Princeton 2 31 29 1,127 3,199 Armstrong 4 46 40 863 2,500 Ashcroft -6 6 12 1,216 1,089 Coldstream 11 44 29 541 2,566 Chase -2 11 12 854 690 Spallumcheen -2 11 13 612 -88 Enderby 1 -6 -7 825 -5,048

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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Figure 4.5 Real Operating Spending Growth and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

Figure 4.4 Real Operating Spending Growth

and Population Growth, 2000- 50% Population 2009 Growth 40%

30% Operating 50% Spending Population Growth Growth 20% (Adjusted for 40% Inflation) 18% 10% 30% Operating Spending 27% Growth 0% -5% 20% (Adjusted for 2000 2003 2006 2009 Inflation) -10% 10%

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009-3% -10%

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Figure 4.6 Real Operating Spending Growth and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

100% Population Growth 86% 80%

Operating 60% Spending Growth (Adjusted for Inflation) 40%

20% 11%

0% 2000 2003 2006 2009

Figure 4.7 Real Operating Spending Growth and Population Growth, 2000- 2009

150% Population Growth 130%

110% 100% Operating 90% Spending Growth 70% (Adjusted for Inflation) 50%

30% 24%

10%

-10% 2000 2003 2006 2009 7 To establish a spending trend the data used from 2000-2008 is that prepared by the Municipality of Fort Nelson.

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Table 4.4 Northern British Columbia Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

Mackenzie -32 29 89 2,661 20,383 McBride -7 70 82 2,221 19,364 Prince George -3 27 31 1,516 5,739

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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Table 4.5 Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

Clinton -5 49 57 1,884 9,511 Quesnel -5 18 24 1,694 10,190

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

Table 4.6 Vacation and Destination Regions Listed from Worst to Least Worst*

Whistler 11 86 68 6,306 36,663 Fort Nelson (Northern Rockies) 28 185 122 3,126 17,341 Ucluelet -2 50 53 2,264 16,350 Tofino 24 100 61 2,039 14,647

**To calculate the total savings over the time period 2000-2009, it is assumed that the municipality held operating spending to population and inflation growth.

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8 Union of BC Municipalities, 2011. Comment on Fiscal Management in British Columbia’s Municipalities.

9 Detailed responses to feedback and concerns can be found in the second and third editions of this report.

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Figure 5.1 Municipal Government Wages and Benefits (Percentage Above Private Sector)

37% Victoria 12%

35% Vancouver 11%

British 35% Columbia 10% Salary and Benefits Salary Source: CFIB Wage Watch 2008, with data from the 2006 Canadian Census

Figure 5.2 How Would You Rate Your Local Government on its Control of Government Wages?

Don't Know Poor 67% 20%

Good 2%

Adequate 11%

Source: CFIB Our Member’s Opinions Survey, January-June 2011 (British Columbia: 2,027 Responses).

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Figure 6.1 How would you rate the local government where your business is situated on value-for-money public services?

Don't Know Poor 63% 6%

Good 4%

Adequate 27%

Source: CFIB Our Member’s Opinions Survey, January-June 2011 (British Columbia: 1,969 Responses).

Figure 6.2 Do You Agree that there is Sufficient Accountability and Transparency of Public Expenditures at the Local Level of Government?

Strongly Disagree 45%

Don't Know 6% Somewhat Disagree Strongly 27% Somewhat Agree 3% Agree 19%

Source: CFIB Point of View Mandate 232, August- October 2008 (British Columbia: 869 Responses).

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Figure 6.3 Should municipalities be subject to regular audits of public expenditures by an independent auditor general? Don't Know 8%

No 7%

Yes 85%

Source: CFIB Point of View Mandate 232, August- October 2008 (British Columbia: 869 Responses).

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Real Real Operating Operating Provincial Population Municipality Spending Spending Rank Growth (%) Growth per Capita (1=Worst) (%) Growth (%) Salmo -8 24 36 73 Masset -7 25 33 79 Telkwa -5 26 33 81 Hudson's 1 33 33 82 Real Real Hope Operating Operating Provincial Population Greenwood -2 28 31 83 Municipality Spending Spending Rank Growth (%) Growth per Capita (1=Worst) Burns Lake 9 43 30 85 (%) Growth Cache 2 33 30 86 (%) Creek Lytton -29 85 161 2 Nakusp -10 17 30 91 Lions Bay -5 124 135 3 Princeton 2 31 29 95 Fraser Lake -14 82 110 6 Silverton -11 14 28 97 Fort St. -35 36 109 7 Sparwood -3 24 27 99 James Logan Lake -6 19 27 100 Mackenzie -32 29 89 8 Warfield 1 27 26 104 Lumby 5 95 86 10 Harrison 25 57 26 106 Port Edward -18 51 84 11 Hot Springs Valemount -15 56 83 12 Grand Forks 1 25 23 112 Lillooet -16 54 83 13 Montrose -4 16 22 113 McBride -7 70 82 15 Fruitvale -3 17 20 114 Golden -2 75 79 18 Invermere 28 50 18 118 Stewart -27 31 79 19 Port McNeill -11 4 17 120 Chetwynd -6 66 75 20 Hazelton -13 1 16 121 Port -11 48 66 24 Alert Bay -19 -6 15 124 Clements Pemberton 48 69 14 125 Vanderhoof -10 49 65 25 Chase -2 11 12 127 Sicamous 6 73 64 26 Port Alice -28 -19 12 128 Tofino 24 100 61 29 Ashcroft -6 6 12 129 Clinton -5 49 57 33 Elkford -2 8 11 131 Zeballos -31 8 57 34 Fernie -5 4 9 133 Cumberland 20 89 57 35 Tahsis -43 -38 8 134 Highlands 24 95 57 36 100 Mile New 5 12 7 135 -23 20 55 37 House Hazelton Gibsons 15 22 6 136 Houston -22 20 54 38 Port Hardy -17 -13 5 139 Wells 7 64 53 40 Midway 1 5 4 141 Sayward -15 30 53 41 Gold River -3 0 4 142 Ucluelet -2 50 53 42 Lake Pouce 13 16 2 143 -10 36 52 44 Cowichan Coupe Rossland -4 -7 -3 144 Keremeos 27 90 50 47 Kaslo 13 9 -4 146 New Denver -5 42 49 50 Enderby 1 -6 -7 148 Anmore 53 126 48 52 Radium Hot 81 55 -15 151 Belcarra -5 39 47 53 Springs Slocan 16 70 46 54 Taylor 28 -13 -32 152 Tumbler Granisle 4 48 42 62 24 -28 -42 153 Ridge Armstrong 4 46 40 63 Average 0 36 40

Oliver 12 54 37 69 Bowen 20 63 36 72 Island

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Real Real Real Real Operating Operating Provincial Operating Operating Provincial Population Population Municipality Spending Spending Rank Municipality Spending Spending Rank Growth (%) Growth (%) Growth per Capita (1=Worst) Growth per Capita (1=Worst) (%) Growth (%) Growth (%) (%) Northern 28 185 122 4 Sooke 15 297 246 1 Rockies Colwood 11 102 81 17 Metchosin 1 114 111 5 Pitt 18 104 73 21 View Royal 28 133 82 14 Meadows Osoyoos 20 118 81 16 Whistler 11 86 68 22 Lake Kent 8 80 67 23 22 97 62 27 Country Kimberley 2 63 60 31 Summerland 4 66 60 30 Revelstoke -6 41 49 48 Cranbrook 2 56 52 43 Creston 7 56 46 55 North 4 57 51 45 Peachland 12 55 38 65 Saanich Dawson Hope -1 34 35 74 6 52 43 59 Creek Kitimat -15 13 34 75 Esquimalt 5 50 43 60 Sechelt 17 57 34 76 Central 2 41 38 66 Merritt -0 34 34 78 Saanich Squamish 16 61 38 67 Trail -6 21 28 98 Salmon Arm 11 51 37 70 Duncan 6 35 27 101 Williams -5 29 36 71 Smithers -5 20 27 102 Lake Quesnel -5 18 24 110 White Rock 4 40 34 77 Ladysmith 22 46 20 115 Fort St. John 20 56 30 89 Spallumcheen -2 11 13 126 Coldstream 11 44 29 92 Castlegar 10 21 10 132 Comox 18 52 29 96 Nelson 7 13 5 138 Oak Bay 0 26 26 105 Qualicum 26 21 -4 145 Sidney 3 24 20 116 Beach Courtenay 29 48 15 123 Average 7 54 43 Terrace 8 -2 6 137 Port Alberni 1 4 5 140 Parksville 14 8 -5 147 Powell River 1 -11 -12 149 Prince -17 -29 -14 150 Rupert Average 8 54 42

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Real Real Operating Operating Provincial Population Municipality Spending Spending Rank Growth (%) Growth per Capita (1=Worst) (%) Growth (%)

Langford 38 160 88 9 Langley - 15 85 61 28 District Penticton 5 66 59 32 Chilliwack 18 81 53 39 Abbotsford 13 70 50 46 Vernon 14 70 49 49 North Vancouver – 1 49 48 51 District Kelowna 22 76 45 56 North Vancouver – 7 54 44 57 City Maple Ridge 16 68 44 58 West 2 45 42 61 Vancouver Surrey 25 73 39 64 North 9 51 38 68 Cowichan Coquitlam 5 40 33 80 Prince -3 27 31 84 George Richmond 13 47 30 87 Saanich 5 37 30 88 Victoria 8 40 30 90 Port 7 38 29 93 Coquitlam Langley – 3 33 29 94 City Delta -1 25 26 103 Port Moody 34 67 25 107 Kamloops 8 34 25 108 Vancouver 11 39 25 109 Burnaby 12 38 24 111 Nanaimo 13 35 20 117 Campbell 7 25 17 119 River Mission 15 33 15 122 New 13 27 12 130 Westminster Average 12 53 37

Note: Rankings are based on actual figures of real operating spending growth, prior to rounding.

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2009 Operating Provincial Municipality Spending Rank per Capita (1=Worst) ($)

Nakusp 1,658 54 Greenwood 1,654 55 Pouce Coupe 1,516 61 Slocan 1,476 63

2009 Harrison Hot Springs 1,470 64 Provincial Operating Municipality Rank Golden 1,466 66 Spending (1=Worst) per Capita Midway 1,446 68 ($) Lillooet 1,428 71 Lytton 4,826 2 Port Hardy 1,393 75 Stewart 4,083 3 Logan Lake 1,371 77 Zeballos 3,585 4 Bowen Island 1,370 78 Taylor 3,577 5 Burns Lake 1,316 82 Port Edward 3,479 6 Invermere 1,303 83 Tahsis 3,223 7 Pemberton 1,282 85 Masset 3,062 9 Lions Bay 1,280 86 Wells 2,996 10 Rossland 1,272 87 Tumbler Ridge 2,959 11 Ashcroft 1,216 94 Granisle 2,802 12 Vanderhoof 1,182 99 Sayward 2,739 13 Sicamous 1,176 102 Mackenzie 2,661 14 Gibsons 1,142 108 Fort St. James 2,629 15 Princeton 1,127 109 Hudson's Hope 2,510 17 Telkwa 1,126 110 Valemount 2,440 19 New Denver 1,109 112 Fraser Lake 2,389 20 Oliver 1,065 119 Chetwynd 2,330 21 Kaslo 1,031 123 Ucluelet 2,264 23 Lumby 998 127 McBride 2,221 24 Belcarra 985 129 Alert Bay 2,159 25 Salmo 968 131 Tofino 2,039 28 Cumberland 968 132 Hazelton 1,975 30 Lake Cowichan 955 134 100 Mile House 1,953 31 Keremeos 935 136 Elkford 1,929 32 Warfield 890 138 New Hazelton 1,915 33 Montrose 881 139 Fernie 1,911 34 Armstrong 863 140 Grand Forks 1,897 35 Anmore 857 141 Clinton 1,884 37 Chase 854 143 Sparwood 1,865 39 Enderby 825 146 Silverton 1,848 41 Highlands 769 147 Port Clements 1,815 42 Port McNeill 766 148 Cache Creek 1,731 46 Fruitvale 670 150 Average 1,768 Port Alice 1,730 47 Gold River 1,720 48 Radium Hot Springs 1,699 50 Houston 1,666 53

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2009 2009 Provincial Provincial Operating Operating Municipality Rank Municipality Rank Spending Spending (1=Worst) (1=Worst) per Capita per Capita ($) ($) Fort Nelson (Northern Rockies 3,126 8 Whistler 6,306 1 RM) Dawson Creek 2,459 18 Nelson 2,588 16 Prince Rupert 1,985 29 Kitimat 2,323 26 Summerland 1,786 44 Kimberley 2,077 27 Williams Lake 1,753 45 Trail 1,888 36 Powell River 1,636 56 Revelstoke 1,869 38 Fort St. John 1,531 59 Smithers 1,714 49 Cranbrook 1,488 62 Quesnel 1,694 52 Port Alberni 1,461 67 Osoyoos 1,442 70 Oak Bay 1,426 72 Castlegar 1,339 80 Squamish 1,421 73 Merritt 1,329 81 Esquimalt 1,406 74 Kent 1,216 93 Terrace 1,264 88 Hope 1,197 96 Lake Country 1,244 90 Peachland 1,195 97 White Rock 1,226 91 Duncan 1,180 100 Sidney 1,222 92 Creston 1,178 101 Central Saanich 1,184 98 Ladysmith 1,104 113 Courtenay 1,152 105 Sechelt 1,017 124 Salmon Arm 1,118 111 Qualicum Beach 1,001 126 North Saanich 1,099 114 View Royal 988 128 Pitt Meadows 1,092 117 Metchosin 626 151 Comox 966 133 Spallumcheen 612 152 Parksville 910 137 Average 1,486 Colwood 825 145 Sooke 702 149 Coldstream 541 153 Average 1,508

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Provincial 2009 Operating Municipality Rank Spending per (1=Worst) Capita ($)

Penticton 2,326 22 West Vancouver 1,850 40 Victoria 1,789 43 New Westminster 1,697 51 Vancouver 1,586 57 Kelowna 1,552 58 Prince George 1,516 60 North Vancouver - 1,466 65 City Delta 1,448 69 North Vancouver - 1,380 76 District Kamloops 1,342 79 Richmond 1,302 84 Port Moody 1,255 89 Nanaimo 1,215 95 Burnaby 1,171 103 Campbell River 1,165 104 Coquitlam 1,146 106 Langley -District 1,144 107 Vernon 1,097 115 Langley - City 1,095 116 Abbotsford 1,089 118 Saanich 1,057 120 Mission 1,054 121 Port Coquitlam 1,036 122 Maple Ridge 1,014 125 North Cowichan 983 130 Chilliwack 939 135 Surrey 856 142 Langford 842 144 Average 1,290

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2000-2009 2009 Overall Real Operating Provincial Municipality Operating Spending Rank Spending per per Capita (1=Worst) Capita ($) Growth (%) Houston 54 1,666 37

Lumby 86 998 38 2000-2009 2009 Nelson 5 2,588 39 Overall Real Operating Provincial West Vancouver 42 1,850 40 Municipality Operating Spending Rank Spending per Capita View Royal 82 988 41 (1=Worst) per Capita ($) Langford 88 842 42 Growth (%) Pitt Meadows 73 1,092 43 Lytton 161 4,826 1 Pouce Coupe 52 1,516 44 Whistler 68 6,306 2 Kent 67 1,216 45 Stewart 79 4,083 3 Cranbrook 52 1,488 46 Sooke 246 702 4 Lake Country 62 1,244 47 Fort Nelson (Northern Rockies 122 3,126 5 Williams Lake 36 1,753 48 RM) Vanderhoof 65 1,182 49 Port Edward 84 3,479 6 Alert Bay 15 2,159 50 Fort St. James 109 2,629 7 Trail 28 1,888 51 Zeballos 57 3,585 8 Colwood 81 825 52 Fraser Lake 110 2,389 9 Sicamous 64 1,176 53 Mackenzie 89 2,661 10 Kelowna 45 1,552 54 Valemount 83 2,440 11 Silverton 28 1,848 55 Wells 53 2,996 12 Sparwood 27 1,865 56 Lions Bay 135 1,280 13 Slocan 46 1,476 57 McBride 82 2,221 14 Victoria 30 1,789 58 Chetwynd 75 2,330 15 Langley District 61 1,144 59 Sayward 53 2,739 16 Mun. Masset 33 3,062 17 Grand Forks 23 1,897 60 North Vancouver Granisle 42 2,802 18 44 1,466 61 City Penticton 59 2,326 19 North Vancouver 48 1,380 62 Tahsis 8 3,223 20 Cache Creek 30 1,731 63 Dawson Creek 43 2,459 21 Hazelton 16 1,975 64 Ucluelet 53 2,264 22 Greenwood 31 1,654 65 Kimberley 60 2,077 23 Esquimalt 43 1,406 66 Tofino 61 2,039 24 Nakusp 30 1,658 67 Hudson's Hope 33 2,510 25 Smithers 27 1,714 68 Port Clements 66 1,815 26 Squamish 38 1,421 69 Lillooet 83 1,428 27 Quesnel 24 1,694 70 Osoyoos 81 1,442 28 Elkford 11 1,929 71 Golden 79 1,466 29 Prince George 31 1,516 72 Clinton 57 1,884 30 Fort St. John 30 1,531 73 New Hazelton 55 1,915 31 North Saanich 51 1,099 74 Kitimat 34 2,323 32 Tumbler Ridge -42 2,959 75 Summerland 60 1,786 33 Cumberland 57 968 76 Taylor -32 3,577 34 Fernie 9 1,911 77 Revelstoke 49 1,869 35 Creston 46 1,178 78 Metchosin 111 626 36 100 Mile House 7 1,953 79 New Denver 49 1,109 80

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2000-2009 2009 2000-2009 2009 Overall Overall Real Operating Real Operating Provincial Provincial Municipality Operating Spending Municipality Operating Spending Rank Rank Spending per per Capita Spending per per Capita (1=Worst) (1=Worst) Capita ($) Capita ($) Growth (%) Growth (%) Bowen Island 36 1,370 81 Port Coquitlam 29 1,036 124 Abbotsford 50 1,089 82 Nanaimo 20 1,215 125 Vernon 49 1,097 83 Port Alberni 5 1,461 126 Vancouver 25 1,586 84 Pemberton 14 1,282 127 Chilliwack 53 939 85 Castlegar 10 1,339 128 Merritt 34 1,329 86 Comox 29 966 129 Harrison Hot 26 1,470 87 Midway 4 1,446 130 Springs Ladysmith 20 1,104 Port Alice 12 1,730 88 131 Campbell River 17 1,165 Delta 26 1,448 89 132 Port Hardy 5 1,393 Peachland 38 1,195 90 133 Ashcroft 12 1,216 Oak Bay 26 1,426 91 134 Courtenay 15 1,152 Central Saanich 38 1,184 92 135 Warfield 26 890 New Westminster 12 1,697 93 136 Radium Hot -15 1,699 Keremeos 50 935 94 Springs 137 Belcarra 47 985 95 Powell River -12 1,636 138 Burns Lake 30 1,316 96 Terrace 6 1,264 139 Richmond 30 1,302 97 Mission 15 1,054 140 Logan Lake 27 1,371 98 Montrose 22 881 141 Highlands 57 769 99 Gibsons 6 1,142 142 White Rock 34 1,226 100 Rossland -3 1,272 143 Hope 35 1,197 101 Coldstream 29 541 144 Maple Ridge 44 1,014 102 Chase 12 854 145 Salmon Arm 37 1,118 103 Port McNeill 17 766 146 Kamloops 25 1,342 104 Fruitvale 20 670 147 Coquitlam 33 1,146 105 Lake Cowichan 2 955 148 Anmore 48 857 106 Kaslo -4 1,031 149 Oliver 37 1,065 107 Qualicum Beach -4 1,001 150 Gold River 4 1,720 108 Spallumcheen 13 612 151 Telkwa 33 1,126 109 Parksville -5 910 152 Port Moody 25 1,255 110 Enderby -7 825 153 North Cowichan 38 983 111 Duncan 27 1,180 112 Princeton 29 1,127 113 Prince Rupert -14 1,985 114 Sechelt 34 1,017 115 Salmo 36 968 116 Langley City 29 1,095 117 Saanich 30 1,057 118 Armstrong 40 863 119 Invermere 18 1,303 120 Burnaby 24 1,171 121 Sidney 20 1,222 122 Surrey 39 856 123

BC Municipal Spending Watch 29

2000-2009 2009 Overall Real Operating Provincial Municipality Operating Spending Rank Spending per per Capita (1=Worst) Capita ($) Growth (%) Fraser Lake 110 2,389 9

Fruitvale 20 670 147 2000-2009 2009 Gibsons 6 1,142 142 Overall Real Operating Provincial Gold River 4 1,720 108 Municipality Operating Spending Rank Spending per Capita Golden 79 1,466 29 (1=Worst) per Capita ($) Grand Forks 23 1,897 60 Growth (%) Granisle 42 2,802 18 100 Mile House 7 1,953 79 Greenwood 31 1,654 65 Abbotsford 50 1,089 82 Harrison Hot 26 1,470 87 Alert Bay 15 2,159 50 Springs Anmore 48 857 106 Hazelton 16 1,975 64 Armstrong 40 863 119 Highlands 57 769 99 Ashcroft 12 1,216 134 Hope 35 1,197 101 Belcarra 47 985 95 Houston 54 1,666 37 Bowen Island 36 1,370 81 Hudson's Hope 33 2,510 25 Burnaby 24 1,171 121 Invermere 18 1,303 120 Burns Lake 30 1,316 96 Kamloops 25 1,342 104 Cache Creek 30 1,731 63 Kaslo -4 1,031 149 Campbell River 17 1,165 132 Kelowna 45 1,552 54 Castlegar 10 1,339 128 Kent 67 1,216 45 Central Saanich 38 1,184 92 Keremeos 50 935 94 Chase 12 854 145 Kimberley 60 2,077 23 Chetwynd 75 2,330 15 Kitimat 34 2,323 32 Chilliwack 53 939 85 Ladysmith 20 1,104 131 Clinton 57 1,884 30 Lake Country 62 1,244 47 Coldstream 29 541 144 Lake Cowichan 2 955 148 Colwood 81 825 52 Langford 88 842 42 Comox 29 966 129 Langley - City 29 1,095 117 Coquitlam 33 1,146 105 Langley - District 61 1,144 59 Courtenay 15 1,152 135 Lillooet 83 1,428 27 Cranbrook 52 1,488 46 Lions Bay 135 1,280 13 Creston 46 1,178 78 Logan Lake 27 1,371 98 Cumberland 57 968 76 Lumby 86 998 38 Dawson Creek 43 2,459 21 Lytton 161 4,826 1 Delta 26 1,448 89 Mackenzie 89 2,661 10 Duncan 27 1,180 112 Maple Ridge 44 1,014 102 Elkford 11 1,929 71 Masset 33 3,062 17 Enderby -7 825 153 McBride 82 2,221 14 Esquimalt 43 1,406 66 Merritt 34 1,329 86 Fernie 9 1,911 77 Metchosin 111 626 36 Fort Nelson Midway 4 1,446 130 (Northern Rockies 122 3,126 5 Mission 15 1,054 140 RM) Fort St. James 109 2,629 7 Montrose 22 881 141 Fort St. John 30 1,531 73 Nakusp 30 1,658 67 Nanaimo 20 1,215 125

BC Municipal Spending Watch 30

2000-2009 2009 2000-2009 2009 Overall Overall Real Operating Real Operating Provincial Provincial Municipality Operating Spending Municipality Operating Spending Rank Rank Spending per per Capita Spending per per Capita (1=Worst) (1=Worst) Capita ($) Capita ($) Growth (%) Growth (%) Nelson 5 2,588 39 Slocan 46 1,476 57 New Denver 49 1,109 80 Smithers 27 1,714 68 New Hazelton 55 1,915 31 Sooke 246 702 4 New Westminster 12 1,697 93 Spallumcheen 13 612 151 North Cowichan 38 983 111 Sparwood 27 1,865 56 North Saanich 51 1,099 74 Squamish 38 1,421 69 North Vancouver - 48 1,380 62 Stewart 79 4,083 3 District North Vancouver - Summerland 60 1,786 33 44 1,466 61 City Surrey 39 856 123 Oak Bay 26 1,426 91 Tahsis 8 3,223 20 Oliver 37 1,065 107 Taylor -32 3,577 34 Osoyoos 81 1,442 28 Telkwa 33 1,126 109 Parksville -5 910 152 Terrace 6 1,264 139 Peachland 38 1,195 90 Tofino 61 2,039 24 Pemberton 14 1,282 127 Trail 28 1,888 51 Penticton 59 2,326 19 Tumbler Ridge -42 2,959 75 Pitt Meadows 73 1,092 43 Ucluelet 53 2,264 22 Port Alberni 5 1,461 126 Valemount 83 2,440 11 Port Alice 12 1,730 88 Vancouver 25 1,586 84 Port Clements 66 1,815 26 Vanderhoof 65 1,182 49 Port Coquitlam 29 1,036 124 Vernon 49 1,097 83 Port Edward 84 3,479 6 Victoria 30 1,789 58 Port Hardy 5 1,393 133 View Royal 82 988 41 Port McNeill 17 766 146 Warfield 26 890 136 Port Moody 25 1,255 110 Wells 53 2,996 12 Pouce Coupe 52 1,516 44 West Vancouver 42 1,850 40 Powell River -12 1,636 138 Whistler 68 6,306 2 Prince George 31 1,516 72 White Rock 34 1,226 100 Prince Rupert -14 1,985 114 Williams Lake 36 1,753 48 Princeton 29 1,127 113 Zeballos 57 3,585 8 Qualicum Beach -4 1,001 150 Quesnel 24 1,694 70 Radium Hot -15 1,699 137 Springs Revelstoke 49 1,869 35 Richmond 30 1,302 97 Rossland -3 1,272 143 Saanich 30 1,057 118 Salmo 36 968 116 Salmon Arm 37 1,118 103 Sayward 53 2,739 16 Sechelt 34 1,017 115 Sicamous 64 1,176 53 Sidney 20 1,222 122 Silverton 28 1,848 55