PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT For the Year Ended December 31st 1956 VICTORIA, B.C. Printed by Don McDiarmid, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty 1957 To His Honour Frank Mackenzie Ross, C.M.G., M.C., Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. May it please Your Honour: I have the honour to transmit herewith the Annual Report of the Department of Municipal Affairs for the year ended December 31st, 1956. W. D. BLACK, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Victoria, B.C. Report of the Department of Municipal Affairs Victoria, B.C., January 15th, 1957. The Honourable W. D. Black, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Sir,—I have the honour to submit herewith the Annual Report of this Department for the year ended December 31st, 1956. Since the real-property tax is the backbone of municipal finance, we report year by year the significant changes in the assessed values of real property in the muncipalities. It is noteworthy that as late as 1949 the total assessed values of land and improvements within municipalities were just over 1 billion dollars. Six years later the amount just topped the 2-billion-dollar figure, although the latter figure includes landlord and tenant machinery and equipment to the extent of some 7 per cent of the total. For 1956 the assessment rolls of cities, districts, and villages within the Province contained assessed values of land and improvements totalling $2,432,313,912, an increase of approximately $324,000,000 (15 per cent) over values appearing on the 1955 rolls. This increase in gross assessed values resulted in an increase of approximately $293,000,000 in values taxable. The increase in values actually taxed in 1956 for municipal purposes amounted to approximately $194,000,000 and for school purposes approximately $236,000,000. Figures are shown in the following tables:— Total Assessed Value of Land and Improvements 1955 Total Land Improvements Other than Landlord and Tenant Machinery and Equipment Landlord and Tenant Machinery and Equipment 1956 Total $524,709,335 707,155,164 86,565,375 $104,277,621 154,639,894 14,956,594 $431,406,657 595,703,306 83,332,521 $35,538,152 85,208,590 4,385,754 $571,222,430 835,551,790 102,674,869 Totals $1,318,429,874 790,028,509 $273,874,109 216,524,985 $1,110,442,484 649,358,267 $125,132,496 56,981,571 $1,509,449,089 922,864,823 $2,108,458,383 $490,399,094 $1,759,800,751 $182,114,067 $2,432,313,912 Values Taxable $412,803,021 603,579,500 69,917,387 $82,381,360 134,847,330 13,246,439 $341,656,578 503,311,584 65,921,953 $32,377,448 83,491,225 2,700,957 $456,415,386 721,650,139 81,869,349 Totals . $1,086,299,908 655,781,137 $230,475,129 173,668,875 $910,890,115 549,080,602 $118,569,630 52,858,648 $1,259,934,874 775,608,125 $1,742,081,045 $404,144,004 $1,459,970,717 $171,428,278 $2,035,542,999 EE 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA Values Actually Taxed Municipal Purposes 1955 Total Land Improvements 1956 Total $229,536,050 384,354,861 44,767,426 $82,118,360 134,814,290 13,239,424 $180,644,927 344,194,338 45,159,289 $262,763,287 479,008,628 Villages 58,398,713 $658,658,337 385,381,938 $230,172,074 173,668,875 $569,998,554 264,550,706 $800,170,628 438,219,581 $1,044,040,275 $403,840,949 $834,549,260 $1,238,390,209 School Purposes Cities $324,578,365 460,358,615 $82,051,320 134,846,630 13,012,004 $267,948,364 428,835,557 49,794,808 $349,999,684 Districts _ 563,682,187 62,806,812 $784,936,9S0 565,919,895 $229,909,954 173,668,875 $746,578,729 436,470,045 $976,488,683 610,138,920 $1,350,856,875 $403,578,829 $1,183,048,774 $1,586,627,603 As a result of amendments to the " Municipal Act " and the " Village Municipalities Act " passed at the last session of the Legislature, villages were given the responsibility of collecting taxes for school purposes within their municipalities. This change simplified the tax compliance problems of this taxpayer but did increase the work of the village staff. In an effort to relieve the village clerks of some of this additional work, it was arranged to have the taxation notices processed through the special equipment of the Department of Finance. The same equipment was also used to produce the collector's roll for villages. Due to technical difficulties it was only possible to process the rolls for those villages taxing 100 per cent of land and 75 per cent of improvements for both municipal and school purposes. During the year approximately $10,200,000 in new debentures were approved, which is an increase of nearly $1,450,000 compared with 1955. The amount and purpose for which new debentures were approved are set out below (Vancouver debentures do not require approval):— Distribution of Debenture Debt by Purposes for the Year 1956 Purpose Cities Districts Villages Total Civic projects. Hospitals.. Local improvements 1 Protection to persons and property.. Roads and sidewalks Sewers Waterworks Miscellaneous.. $308,000 74,389 150,000 848,000! 125,000 676,800 80,000 $647,000 1,182,000 180,498 47,000 358,000 1,602,000 2,774,1032 38,000 $14,000 318,500 784,500 Totals.. $2,262,189 $6,828,601 $1,117,000 $955,000 1,182,000 254,887 211,000 1,206,000 2,045,500 4,235,403 118,000 $10,207,790 1 $448,000 issued under " Local Improvement Act." 2 $72,103 issued under " Local Improvement Act." REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS EE 7 The latest figures available for total debenture debt as at December 31st, 1955, are summarized as follows:-—■ Total Debenture Debt as at December 3 1st, 1955 Issued, Sold, and Outstanding Unissued and Unsold Total $37,511,121 31,272,939 3,562,073 $305,603 2,486,931 19,900 $37,816,724 33,759,870 Villages 3,581,973 Totals $72,346,133 117,913,263 $2,812,434 4,597,000 $75,158,567 Vancouver... ... -. 122,510,263 $190,259,396 $7,409,434 $197,668,830 This Department has been advised by the Department of Finance of the Federal Government that all semi-annual repayments have been made on loans which were obtained under the provisions of the " Municipalities Improvements Assistance Act, 1938." The following table shows the outstanding amounts as at January 1st, 1957:— Loans Made under the Provisions of the " Municipalities Improvements Assistance Act, 1938," Guaranteed by the Province of British Columbia, as at January 1st, 1957. Municipality Loan No. Amount Advanced Balance Outstanding Greater Vancouver Water D .'strict _. City of Vancouver.. District of Saanich City of Nanaimo City of Prince George.. City of Grand Forks District of Summerland ~ City of Trail _ City of Port Alberni City of Alberni City of Prince Rupert Westview Light, Power, and Waterworks District- District of Coquitlam District of Penticton1 District of Surrey Annable-Warfield Waterworks District2 Connaught Heights Waterworks District District of West Vancouver Grandview Waterworks District City of Salmon Arm City of Armstrong Totals 1 2 21 22 31 32 33 54 56 57 59 60 67 68 69 81 84 85 89 94 95 $750,000.00 390,000.00 39,224.15 200,000.00 18,750.00 11,000.00 140,192.50 130,000.00 66,000.00 10,000.00 40,000.00 40,000.00 8,400.00 41,000.00 12,500.00 44,000.00 39,200.00 100,000.00 8,000.00 15,000.00 11,491.05 $281,619.87 79,915.36 8,037.47 6,899.00 55,661.40 22,945.62 13,524.14 20,962.80 7,236.71 10,253.59 20,543.55 43,948.26 1,639.28 7,861.04 | $2,114,757.70 $581,048.09 1 Changed from district to city status, April 30th, 1948. 2 This liability now assumed by The Corporation of the Village of Warfield. Amortized payments due December 31st, 1956, and January 1st, 1957, made by all municipalities. All money by-laws, before being approved for submission to the electors, were carefully examined as to necessity, the estimated cost, the financial ability of the municipality to repay the loan, and the relation of the life of the works to the maturity date of the debentures. Care was also taken to see that the debt burden resulting from combining the existing and proposed debt charges was not unduly excessive for any particular year. When local improvement debentures were submitted for certification, evidence was required that proper assessments had been levied and all statutory requirements complied with. The year 1956 witnessed a very serious deterioration in the means available to finance municipal capital works. Councils were forced to offer interest rates far in EE 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA excess of that experienced for many years, but even with this inducement, as the year advanced, they found it increasingly difficult to market their securities under any reasonable set of terms or conditions, nor does any immediate respite appear in sight. This has been a particularly serious problem for growing municipalities, chiefly the districts, which are faced with the necessity of providing sewers and waterworks for a rapidly expanding population. Reference to the table on debt shows that over 60 per cent of the amount authorized to be issued in 1956 was for these two purposes. Because of this restricted supply of money, a number of Councils delayed consideration of by-laws for projects which, while very worthy, were not of an essential nature. Five inquiries were held into applications for certificates of approval to money by-laws. In all cases the certificates were granted. Certain municipalities requested that the Department investigate specific phases of their affairs. These were carried out and recommendations made. At the end of 1955, reserve funds amounted to $7,569,508, which is an increase over the previous year of $670,750. These funds are available for general or specific capital expenditures, such as construction, renewal, or purchase of utilities and public works projects, as well as the purchase of equipment. The practice of setting up reserve funds appears to be growing, and the municipalities which have adopted this policy are to be commended. Due to the pressure of other work, the Board of Examiners held only cursory meetings during the year, and a number of major questions still remain to be dealt with, but it is expected that these will be taken up by the Board during the coming year. The course in municipal administration being offered by the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration of the University of British Columbia under the sponsorship of the Department is now well into its fourth year. Total enrolment for the 1956-57 year is made up of: First year, 53; second year, 30; third year, 26; and fourth year, 28. Four-day institutes were held at the University in May, 1956, for last year's classes, and the results of the examinations were as follows: Completing first year, 27; second year, 17; and third year, 23. These totals were increased later by students successful in supplemental examinations. Junior diplomas were granted by the University to all students successfully completing the second year of the course. It should be stressed that, although employees of municipalities in British Columbia have priority in regard to registration for the course, any person interested in municipal administration is eligible to become a student, providing the fees are paid. The Seventeenth Annual Conference of the Municipal Officers' Association was held in Victoria on May 28th and 29th, 1956. Certain proposed changes and innovations in the projected municipal legislation were discussed, and the view-points of the members proved helpful. The attendance surpassed all previous records. It is gratifying to note the increase in attendance and in particular that there were members from smaller municipalities not previously represented. As a result of your representations to the members attending the convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities held at Prince George in 1955, a special committee was set up by the union to assist the Department in drafting the new " Municipal Act." During the year 1956 members of the Deparment worked with this committee a total of some twelve days, and I am happy to report to you that the exchange of views was conducted in a most amicable atmosphere and that the members of the committee contributed faithfully and unstintingly of their time and talent in reviewing the proposals for the new legislation. During the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention held in 1956 at Penticton, this committee submitted to the members a series of general questions to ascertain the thinking of the Council representatives with respect to various questions and problems being considered in the revision of the new Act. I wish to record REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS EE 9 it here that the Department is indebted beyond measure to the members of this committee for their helpful guidance and suggestions during the long task of preparing draft legislation for your consideration. Five communities were incorporated as village municipalities in 1956. They are:— Village Date of Incorporation Area (in Acres) Population The Corporation of the Village of Hazelton.— The Corporation of the Village of Sechelt The Corporation of the Village of Montrose .... The Corporation of the Village of Pemberton _ The Corporation of the Village of Keremeos... Feb.15 Feb.15 June 22 July 20 Oct. 30 27.9 467.0 217.0 301.0 403.0 210 431 707 125 457 In 1956, extensions of boundaries were granted to the City of Slocan and the Villages of Ashcroft, Burns Lake, Creston, Fort St. John, Lillooet, North Kamloops, Sidney, and Telkwa. The following table shows the increase in area as well as population:— Area (in Acres) Population Municipality Before Extension of Boundaries Contained in Area Added After Extension of Boundaries Before Extension of Boundaries Contained in Area Added After Extension of Boundaries City 196.0 124.0 283.8 655.2 495.5 152.0 545.0 431.0 404.0 31.5 104.4 66.7 41.0 833.6 128.0 535.0 5.0 200.0 227.5 228.4 350.5 696.2 1,329.1 280.0 1,080.0 436.0 604.0 374 621 801 1,626 884 469 1,979 1,035 489 81. 35 106 125 257 678 16 91 374 Village Ashcroft 702 836 Creston .„- ■ Fort St. John - _ „_ ■ 1,732 1,009 726 2,657 Sidney Telkwa 1,051 580 The population in the 1951 Census or, in the case of Ashcroft, Sidney, and Telkwa, is at the date of incorporation, plus additions brought about by extensions of boundaries since then to December 31st, 1956. The boundaries of the Cities of Duncan and Penticton and the Districts of North Cowichan and Saanich were redefined to make for greater certainty in each case. During 1956 the Districts of North Vancouver and West Vancouver surrendered their Letters Patent, and other Letters Patent were issued in their place in order to adjust the boundaries between the two municipalities to fit the topography. The most significant changes or additions enacted by the 1956 Session of the Legislature which affected municipalities are as follows:— " Fireworks Regulation Act."—The purpose of this Act is to regulate and control the sale of fireworks. A municipality must by by-law declare that the Act applies to that municipality. " Gas Act."—In so far as municipalities are concerned, the principal amendment gives a municipality the opportunity of applying to the Minister of Public Works for a gas inspection service. "Housing Act."—This Act has been broadened to include slum clearance and redevelopment. Power is given to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to make a grant to a municipality to defray a part of the municipality's costs incurred in slum clearance and urban redevelopment. "Milk Industry Act."—Several Acts and provisions of portions of other Acts, including the " Municipal Act," are consolidated in this Act. It is designed to operate for the benefit of the general public as well as producers and distributers. EE 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA "Municipal Act."—An amendment was made which allows employees of a School Board to be elected and to serve on Municipal Councils, but they cannot vote on school matters. Power was given to prohibit the parking or leaving of vehicles on private property without authority from the owner or occupier of the property. Section 65 was broadened to permit a district municipality to merge areas and consolidate works or services under certain conditions. Further provisions were made regarding the use of sinking fund surplus. An amendment was made which is the final step in making village municipalities the sole authority for taxation on real property within the municipal area. A change was made regarding the levying of a tax on that portion of a business operating pursuant to licences issued by the Liquor Control Board. Permission to borrow from the reserve fund set up pursuant to section 537 was given subject to certain restrictions. The " Village Municipalities Act " was amended by the " Municipal Act Amendment Act, 1956," to extend the same privilege of taxation of liquor outlets to village municipalities as for city and district municipalities. An amendment was made to the " Local Improvement Act" which allows for newly created lots to bear their just share of local improvement assessments. Other amendments of a minor and technical nature were made. As a result of an appeal to the Supreme Court, the definition of " improvements " in the "Assessment Equalization Act, 1953," "Municipal Act," "Public Schools Act," and " Taxation Act" has been clarified to show that the intent on the part of the Legislature is to tax an improvement, irrespective of whether owned by the landlord or his tenant. "Municipalities Aid Act, 1955."—An increase was made in the scale of the per capita grant to local governments. "Pollution-control Act."—This Act is designed to control and prevent the pollution of the water of the Province. Permission of the Pollution-control Board is required for the discharge of sewage or other waste material into the waters of the area or areas under the jurisdiction of the Board. ■ "Soil Conservation Act."—This is a new Act authorizing the Minister of Agriculture to take steps as set out in the Act to conserve or rehabilitate agricultural land which, by reason of erosion or because of neglect, mismanagement, or carelessness, has or is likely to become debilitated. The Act applies to both organized and unorganized territory. "Chilliwack Dyking District Act, 1949."—Among the changes to this Act is power for the Council to borrow where it is considered that the levy would be too great for a single year. The assent of the electors is not required if the amount is to be repayable within five years or less. "The Corporation of Delta Enabling Act, 1956."—Power was conferred to enable The Corporation of Delta and the trustees of Annacis Island to enter into the agreement shown as Schedule A to the Act. "Kitimat Incorporation Act, 1953."—Due to additional projected industrial expansion, the special borrowing power of The Corporation of the District of Kitimat for the years 1956 and 1957 was extended until 1961. "City of Ladysmith By-law No. 315 Validation Act."—Due to an oversight there was an error in the 1955 annual rates by-law of The Corporation of the City of Ladysmith. This Act validates the by-law. "District of North Cowichan Hospital Grant Enabling Act."—Power was conferred to enable the municipality to implement local hospital arrangements. "Powell River Incorporation Act."—Corrects an error in the description of the mill- site area. "Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Act."—The purpose of this Act is to implement a report upon sewage and storm drainage for the Greater Vancouver REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS EE 11 metropolitan area and repeals the " Vancouver and Districts Joint Sewerage and Drainage Act," which was inadequate to cope with the conditions of to-day and the future. Regulations were made pursuant to both clauses (c) and (/) of section 9 of the " Village Municipalities Act." The sections of the " Municipal Act " which were made applicable to all village municipalities are 185 and 534. The former deals with power in case of an emergency and the latter with the management and disposal of assets. It was also necessary to pass regulations making portions of the " Municipal Act" and in one case the " Water Act" applicable to specific village municipalities. Power was conferred upon the Council or Board of Commissioners of all city, district, and village municipalities to grant aid to any duly established local committee set up to organize and arrange for the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Province. I need hardly state that a tremendous amount of work and thought has been put into the drafting of the new " Municipal Act." This task has employed the full time of Mr. B. C. Bracewell, the former Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs, and a great deal of time of the various members of the staff in the Department. In addition, there was the time and advice given so freely and willingly by the members of the special committee set up by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. While it is too much to hope that the new Act will be free from defects, nevertheless it is believed it will represent a major advance on existing legislation. The staff of the Department are to be particularly commended for their efforts during the past year. In spite of the additional work involved as a result of the preparation of the new Act, they have carried out their responsibilities promptly and effectively, and to the best of my knowledge no municipal business has been delayed solely as a result of this extra work load. I would again like to express my thanks to the municipal officials, both elected and appointed, for their courtesy and assistance, and to the executive and staff of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, to the departmental heads and staff of the other departments of Government, and again to you, Sir, for your continued support and encouragement. J. E. BROWN, Deputy Minister. ■ ■ ■ ■- EE 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUNICIPALITIES Victoria, B.C., January 10th, 1957. /. E. Brown, Esq., Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs. Sir,—In spite of the increasing work due to the enlarging municipal field in British Columbia and the extra pressure of duties entailed in the revision of Statutes relating to municipal government, the members of the staff have kept up with the tasks imposed upon them in the year 1956. Every municipality, with the exception of two villages, has been visited at least once by a senior member of the Department. Many public meetings have been attended and certain investigations and inquiries of a minor nature carried out. As a consequence of the foregoing, staff holidays were cheerfully fitted in on a piece-meal basis and many extra hours and days of work were willingly undertaken. The hard work and loyalty of the members of the Department is appreciated and worthy of commendation. The following is a compilation of some of the functions of the Department during 1956:— (1) One hundred and thirty-eight visits were made to municipalities. The number of municipalities actually visited was 109, some receiving more than one visit. (2) Two hundred and fifty-three Orders in Council were prepared and subsequently approved. (3) Sixty-nine certificates of approval for municipal loan by-laws were issued. (4) Fifty-four debenture issues were certified by the Inspector of Municipalities, consisting of 10,464 debentures with coupons attached, which were examined, checked, sealed, and certified. (5) Five hundred and eighty-six village by-laws were examined, checked, and filed. Many of these required advice and correspondence resulting in resubmittal in amended form. (6) Hundreds of draft by-laws were submitted and resulted in considerable correspondence. The first village submitting 1955 financial returns in 1956 was Ashcroft; the first city, Ladysmith; and the first district, Kent. The various financial and statistical returns from municipalities continues to show improvement both as to content and earlier dates of submission. The Department is indeed grateful for the splendid co-operation of the municipal officials during the past year in all aspects of municipal government and administration. There is, however, one aspect of local government administration of a perennial nature which could be improved upon by municipal administrators, particularly those who are elected members of Council. I refer to the annual avalanche of " priority," " urgent," and " special consideration " approvals requested for by-laws to be submitted to the electors at the municipal elections in December. Due to the technical knowledge required, this Department cannot engage extra staff to cope with the problem. It therefore must be a case of first come, first served. The Department is besieged with letters, telegrams, and telephone calls requesting that certain by-laws be dealt with as being most urgent and worthy of first consideration. It is to the interest of all municipalities to allow more time for the implementation of this type of by-law so that proper consideration can be given by both Council and the Department. At the Municipal Officers' Association conference held in May of this year, most of the agenda was taken up with discussion by the members on suggestions for the proposed new " Municipal Act," and the results were of help and benefit to all concerned. REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS EE 13 In view of the studies going on concerning revision of legislation governing municipalities, it is of interest to note that at this date there are ten Orders in Council in existence making certain sections of the " Municipal Act" applicable to all villages and twenty-eight Orders in Council making certain sections of the " Municipal Act" applicable to specific villages. All these latter Orders were made at the request of the villages concerned. The undersigned attended a week's conference at the Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa, as a member of the Continuing Committee of the Dominion-Provincial Conference on Municipal Accounting. The time was devoted to matters pertaining to the revision of the Manual of Instructions on Municipal Accounting and Reporting issued by the Public Finance Division of the Bureau. The Continuing Committee is scheduled to meet again early in 1957. This report continues the previous practice of including analytical studies relating to municipal administration. Table 1 shows the gross and net debenture debt of all cities (exclusive of Vancouver), all districts, and of Vancouver from 1921 to 1955, inclusive, and is graphed on Chart 1. In the cities (exclusive of Vancouver) the net debenture debt for 1955 is practically identical to the net debt of 1922. Vancouver, however, has almost double the net debt in 1955 compared to 1922. The most striking change is in districts reflecting the urban expansion, with the consequent immediate need for works and services. The net debt of districts in 1955 is about four times that of 1922. However, the following comparisons of these two years for assessed taxable values and estimated population figures puts the foregoing comparisons into better focus:— ' ' (Values in thousands of dollars.) . Cities (Other than Vancouver) Districts Vancouver Assessed Values Population Assessed Values Population AvSd | P°PUIation 1922 _ $155,800 1 134,720 385.600 1 260.000 $186,700 541,700 123,660 390,000 $211,700 608,000 125,000 1955 398,000 Table 2 shows the percentages of municipal revenues according to major sources for four basic years. Table 3 relates the major sources of municipal revenue to a per capita basis for the same basic years. Table 4 compares expenditures by functions on a per capita basis for two basic years. Table 5 compares the municipalities of British Columbia to the average for all municipalities in Canada in respect to expenditures on a functional basis for the year 1954. Table 6 tabulates by years the value of tax-sale lands owned by municipalities in the years 1924 to 1955, inclusive, based on the valuations as reported by the municipalities. J. D. Baird, Supervisor of Municipalities. EE 14 BRITISH COLUMBIA STATISTICAL TABLES Table 1.—Gross and Net Debenture Debt for All Cities (Exclusive of Vancouver) and Districts and Vancouver, as at December 31st, in Each Year for the Years 1921 to 1955, Inclusive. (In thousands of dollars.) All Cities (Exclusive of Vancouver) Gross Debenture Debt Net Debenture Debt All Districts Gross Debenture Debt Net Debenture Debt Vancouver Gross Debenture Debt Net Debenture Debt 1921.. 1922.. 1923. 1924 1925.. 1926. 1927. 1928. 1929.. 1930 1931. 1932. 1933.. 1934 1935. 1936 1937. 1938 . 1939 1940 1941.. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945.. 1946. 1947. 1948. 1949.. 1950. 1951.. 1952. 1953.. 1954 1955- $39,112 40,256 39,401 39,660 39,586 39,665 39,736 40,312 40,273 41,066 40,673 40,592 39,780 39,417 39,141 38,417 35,939 35,323 35,387 35,017 32,924 31,846 30,290 29,416 29,304 31,690 35,015 37,422 39,383 38,442 38,466 39,606 39,533 39,456 37,512 $33,459 35,825 33,279 33,276 34,081 31,773 31,010 30,663 29,726 29,191 29,034 28,817 28,060 27,568 27,016 26,135 27,190 26,996 27,156 26,726 24,863 24,004 23,503 22,643 22,775 24,993 29,511 32,325 34,091 33,000 33,474 34,568 34.121 33,973 33,845 $9,615 9,458 9,322 9,327 9,461 9,928 10,505 11,021 11,414 12,254 12,670 12,684 12,525 12,259 11,656 11,712 11,406 11,468 11,418 10,780 11,047 10,498 10,112 9,827 10,202 11,803 14,290 16,032 18,053 17,652 18,561 23,215 23,752 28,656 31,273 $7,966 7,754 7,514 7,303 7,169 7,386 7,737 7,996 8,625 9,206 9,608 9,642 9,504 9,076 8,034 7,920 7,367 7,238 7,014 6,733 7,153 6.692 6,279 6,232 6,428 7,798 11,542 13,237 15,117 14,864 15,872 20,581 21,230 26,554 29,488 $48,770 49,048 47,552 47,121 50,010 53,262 57,136 58,794 66,798 72,513 76,573 76,058 75,790 75,498 76,576 75,712 75,437 74,381 73,181 71,459 69,023 66,328 64,454 61,510 64,565 65,512 66,346 74,442 83,839 88,578 93,786 101,005 105,085 115,001 117,914 $39,091 36,805 38,042 37,970 38,219 42,482 45,639 46,760 53,765 58,548 61,568 60,946 60,794 59,725 60,113 58,921 58,102 56,691 55,317 53,254 51,010 47,630 44,799 41,837 42,991 44,302 42,970 45,207 54,240 58,683 62,718 73,320 81,361 88,927 89,328 REPORT of department of municipal affairs EE 15 Table 2.—Percentage of Municipal Revenues by Major Sources for the Years 1931, 1941, 1951, and 1955 Year Municipal Taxation For Schools Total Provincial Grants Utilities Licences, Fines, and Other Revenue Total Revenue 1931 All Cities except Vancouver 1941 1951 1955 1931 Vancouver 1941 1951 ... .... 1955.... 1931 All Districts 1941 1951 1955.. . 1931 - All Villages 1941 1951 1955 29.10 21.80 22.50 18.15 24.62 24.60 24.70 21.62 30.30 29.20 31.85 25.24 69.25 65.60 49.00 54.20 85.45 79.10 63.20 73.02 68.60 82.20 60.00 66.27 41.65 64.24 34.90 37.55 7.16 7.10 23.25 15.69 5.32 8.95 22.95 11.44 9.82 11.32 27.20 17.77 28.20 10.93 34.90 32.20 3.20 8.55 9.77 10.19 0.64 1.09 0.89 1.33 2.73 1.88 3.76 5.27 20.39 18.75 17.98 19.92 9.23 11.31 12.76 14.55 21.58 6.48 11.47 13.23 30.15 22.94 26.44 24.98 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Table 3.—Per Capita Municipal Revenues by Major Sources for the Years 1931, 1941, 1951, and 1955 Year Municipal Taxation For Schools Total Provincial Grants Utilities Licences, Fines, and Other Revenue Total Revenue All Cities except Vancouver 1931. . 1941 1951 1955 - - - 1931 Vancouver 1941 . - 1951 - .. 1955 - - 1931 All Districts 1941 - - 1951 1955 .. - -' 1931 All Villages 1941 1951 1955 13.35 9.35 19.80 16.98 19.95 11.95 21.10 23.18 9.62 5.75 18.15 15.52 31.80 28.20 43.15 50.69 44.80 38.40 54.00 78.32 21.80 16.20 34.20 40.75 5.60 5.81 11.14 13.96 3.29 3.05 20.45 14.66 2.79 4.35 19.60 12.39 3.12 2.23 15.50 10.92 3.78 0.99 11.13 11.97 1.47 3.67 8.60 9.53 0.31 0.93 0.95 0.76 1.67 0.17 1.20 1.96 9.39 8.03 15.80 18.62 4.91 5.54 10.97 15.59 6.83 1.27 6.54 8.14 4.04 2.08 8.43 9.28 45.95 42.95 88.00 93.50 52.50 48.60 85.50 107.25 31.75 19.70 57.00 61.48 13.42 9.05 31.90 37.17 EE 16 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table 4.—Comparison of per Capita Expenditure by Functions for All Cities except Vancouver, for Vancouver, and for All Districts for the Years 1921 and 1955. All cities except Vancouver Vancouver All Districts 1921 1955 1921 1955 1921 1955 $2.72 2.71 2.42 1.10 4.21 .57 .38 .79 11.45 16.46 .51 6.14 1.14 $8.04 5.62 5.01 2.11 10.11 4.00 1.03 1.67 14.97 14.92 1.10 1.74 5.51 6.59 7.96 1.28 $1.85 3.09 3.86 .75 6.12 1.77 .48 1.73 12.02 15.65 1.26 4.79 1.37 $4.82 9.00 12.09 2.83 6.59 3.73 2.65 2.33 20.35 21.41 2.26 5.52 9.45 .60 $2.70 .17 1.13 .31 8.40 .22 .11 .96 8.32 5.54 1.99 4.90 .26 $5.09 2.23 Fire 2.17 .88 10.36 1.45 Public health .69 Hospital care 1.06 13.76 Debt 7.04 1.33 1.50 1.49 4.85 Capital out of revenue 5.28 .69 $50.60 $91.66 $54.74 $103.63 $35.01 $59.87 Table 5.—Expenditures by Functions for All Municipalities in British Columbia and Canada for the Year 1954 (Latest Figures Available) (Amounts in thousands of dollars.) British Columbia Canada Amount Percentage Amount Percentage $5,827 13,254 9,775 2,937 2,648 6,833 30,540 3,811 15,715 210 716 436 3,168 150 991 6.01 13.66 10.07 3.03 2.73 7.04 31.48 3.93 16.20 0.22 0.74 0.45 3.26 0.15 1.03 $72,878 119,329 144,616 39,947 49,650 38,929 275,581 29,103 167,947 6,225 5,877 9,941 30,125 4,657 9,360 7.26 11.88 14.40 3.98 Health 4.94 3.88 27.44 Recreation and community services Debt charges— Debenture — — Other 2.90 16.72 0.63 Utilities and other municipal enterprises—Deficits and levies 0.58 0.99 3.00 Joint or special expenditures. Miscellaneous expenditures 0.47 0.93 Totals $97,011 100.00 $1,004,165 100.00 report of department of municipal affairs EE 17 Table 6.—Reported Values of Tax-sale Lands (In thousands of dollars.) Cities (except Vancouver) Districts Villages Vancouver 1924 - $4,350 4,361 3,932 3,883 ■ 3,935 3,911 3,915 4,644 4,473 4,725 5,231 6,058 6,037 6,354 6,313 6,169 5,977 5,563 5,321 4,927 4,311 3,899 2,967 2,769 2,519 2,380 2,207 1,912 1,722 1,626 1,934 1,529 $1,817 1,812 1,813 1,814 1,806 1,892 1,958 2,165 2,368 2,597 3,059 2,990 3,272 4,315 4,126 4,152 4,086 3,945 3,860 3,602 3,311 3,113 2,599 2,360 2,080 2,029 2,101 2,005 1,730 1,523 1,386 1,276 $1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 5 3 2 2 4 6 4 3 3 3 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 1 1 4 4 1 $2,302 1925 2,510 1926 1927 1928 2,486 2,339 1,841 1929 2,101 1930 2,001 2,029 2,469 1931 1932 1933 1934 2,588 2,740 1935 1936... 2,632 4,127 1937 1938 1939 4,044 5,634 5,596 1940 5,454 1941... 1942 1943 5,147 4,977 4,442 1944... 3,862 1945 1946 3,284 2,621 1947 2,265 1948. 1,992 1949 1,703 1950 _ 1,610 1951 _ ... 1,706 1952 . .... 1,797 1953 1,764 2,009 1954 1955 Cities includes former District of Penticton. Vancouver includes former Districts of Point Grey and South Vancouver. - EE 18 BRITISH COLUMBIA \ \ 1 1 ! m N. \ s s \ ro J \ m °N \ \ \ o ■ i. « \ \ j »_ °s. ^ \ \ * \ \ t-- / / / to 1 ■* o 1 I \ i * * 1 1 X * I / 1 0' 9 I t\J J t / 1 j * s V / 1 1 ? : t 9 ? 1 o ) i \ V T T 1 i O O C 1 1 x 9' j > 1 I 1 ro 1 1 1 / rO LEGEND NET DEBENTURE DEBT FOR ALL CITIES EXCEPT VANCOUVER IN TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS NET DEBENTURE DEBT FOR VANCOUVER IN TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS NET DEBENTURE DEBT FOR DISTRICTS IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS / 1 1 1 1 \ (0 I 1 i J lO / f <r / i rt I . i ! fM 1 \ \ ? ! O s °s s \ I <Ji °s \ 09 \ \ \ r- \ \ 1 ! O "\ / « i i 1 ev| I i | i rO \ / hi r \ / \ A \ X o z < < m s -I o o CO Z QJ > co ' CO O IO IO c S 92 o o U) 5 8 §2 a. uj ui ° 5 X H CD < u - rr *<o 5"- s . 3 a. _j < £ o ui " o > 11 CO CJ E2 CC z ^_ -_. CE 1- UJ m 2 -1 -1 <t UJ o UJ Q ir t- o < u. CO H < m UI (E n UJ > UI CC 1- 2 3 o CJ z UJ CD UJ a u. o i- >- ui 1- z o a. < x u REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS EE 19 REPORT OF DIRECTOR, REGIONAL PLANNING DIVISION Victoria, B.C., January 11th, 1957. J. E. Brown, Esq., Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs. Sir,—The Regional Planning Division was established in 1946 as a recognition that attention should be paid to the application of planning principles to community growth. At that time not one municipality in British Columbia had on its staff anyone engaged specifically in community planning. To-day six of the larger municipalities have permanent planning staffs and Vancouver has a planning staff of about thirty. Many of the remaining municipalities use the services of the Regional Planning Division, or the staff of the Regional Planning Board of their region, or engage a private planning consultant. Unfortunately not all Councils are yet aware of the importance of planning as it pertains to their own community or of how to make effective use of planning information or advice. Planning Nevertheless, general interest in community planning in the Province did not slacken in 1956. The Division prepared plans and reports which, in their effect, applied to a larger total population than in any previous year. All community plans prepared by the Division are based on an analysis of the local environment and the potential growth of the community. Such an analysis makes it possible to assess the future physical development of the area and increases the value of any plans prepared to guide such development. The Division also drafted sixteen zoning by-laws during the year for municipalities, largely in conjunction with a more detailed plan. The preparation of these by-laws also required direct physical examination of the areas concerned. The work of the Division is primarily to encourage good planning practices by precept and example. Therefore, there is no obligation upon the Council to adopt any of the recommendations of a planning report. Nevertheless, it is gratifying to report that many Councils are beginning to give serious thought to the future development of the communities for which they are responsible. The Division also drafted seventeen physical development by-laws other than zoning. These include subdivision, building, house numbering, and Town Planning Commission by-laws. A number of similar by-laws were prepared independently by municipalities and were sent to the Division for review and comment. Another aspect of the Division's work last year was to design subdivision layouts for both municipal and Provincial authorities. Discussions were held with officials of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway regarding layouts for townsites. Private subdivision designers and developers also submitted draft plans for comment. The Division has given advice to the Municipal Branch on the question of suitable boundaries in the case of a number of new municipalities and in the revision of boundaries of existing municipalities. The Municipal Atlas is being constantly reviewed in an effort to keep it as up to date as possible. Arrangements have been made with the Legal Surveys Division of the Department of Lands and Forests and with other Government offices to make available for this purpose the latest known data, and a duplicate of the atlas is on file in the office of the Legal Surveys Division for general information. ■ Regulated Areas The amount of construction during 1956 in the regulated areas was 20 per cent less than in 1955. EE 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA However, due to changes in the boundaries of certain areas, the figures are not completely comparable. Confining the comparison to nine areas in which this factor was not present, the number of living-units in respect of which building permits were issued decreased by 6.6 per cent, while for the same time period the total value of construction decreased 8.5 per cent from that of the year 1955. Such decrease in value was greatest in the second quarter of the year—that is, from April to June, inclusive—when decreases were shown in seven out of the nine regulated areas and only two showed a slight increase. The number of areas showing decreases was four in the first quarter, three in the third quarter, and five in the fourth quarter. The statistics indicate that there has been a reduction in construction, chiefly residential, in the regulated areas in 1956 compared to 1955, in line with a similar reduction throughout Canada, but that the decline, if anything, was more moderate. Regulated Area Year Established Value of Construction, 1956 Number of Residence Permits Kelowna. Vernon.... Connaught Heights.. View Royal : North Saanich Prince George District- Nanaimo District.... Kamloops District Golden District Quesnel District Alberni Woodhaven.. Dawson Creek Campbell River Thetis.... 1947 1947 1948 1948 1948 1949 1949 1950 1952 1952 1953 1954 1954 1955 1955 $725,260 194,655 33,980 144,490 475,750 173,850 1,168,182 680,700 382,121 317,150 22,110 42,300 844,969 600 66 14 4 12 36 20 82 39 14 19 __ 3 1 Totals for year 1956.. $5,206,117 315 The total of residence units constructed in regulated areas since their inception up to December 31st, 1956, numbered 3,508, while the total value of all construction during the same period was $34,266,000. Due to progress in settlement and development, there is a continuing need for revision of the zoning of the regulated areas. In consequence, a large number of requests were funnelled through the Boards of Appeal set up to consider requests for rezoning. While some of these requests were refused by the Boards as being frivolous or unjustified, a number were forwarded for attention. Each of these was investigated, and, as a result, eighteen were approved and six were rejected. In some of these cases, investigation showed that the proposed rezoning was of sufficient importance to warrant calling a public hearing in the area concerned, to ascertain the views of those likely to be affected by the proposed changes. To date no changes have been made which were patently contrary to majority opinion as expressed at a public hearing. In one district a petition was signed by almost all the residents and forwarded asking for the establishment of a regulated area. This represents a departure from the usual procedure of establishing such areas on the basis of the reaction of the residents at a public hearing. The provisions of Part IV of the " Town Planning Act" now have been extended to a third area. The Planning Area of Greater Nanaimo was organized and took its place alongside the Lower Mainland Planning Area (covering the Lower Fraser Valley from Hope to the Gulf of Georgia) and the Capital Regional Planning Area (made up of the area centred upon the City of Victoria). J. H. Doughty-Davies, Director, Regional Planning Division. 860-257-6809
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DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT For the Year Ended December 31st 1956 British Columbia. Legislative Assembly [1957]
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Title | DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT For the Year Ended December 31st 1956 |
Alternate Title | REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS |
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British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | [1957] |
Genre |
Legislative proceedings |
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Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1957_V03_12_EE1_EE20 |
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Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Source | Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Date Available | 2017-07-31 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
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CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0349147 |
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