PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT for the YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1962 Printed by A. Sutton, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in right of the Province of British Columbia. 1963 To Major-General the Honourable George Randolph Pearkes, V.C., P.C., C.B., D.S.O., 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 31, 1962. W. D. BLACK, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Victoria, B.C. Report of the Department of Municipal Affairs Victoria, B.C., January 18, 1963. The Honourable W. D. Black, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Sir,—I have the honour to submit herewith the Annual Report of the Department of Municipal Affairs for the year ended December 31, 1962. As the real-property tax is the mainstay of municipal finance, we report year by year the changes in assessed values of real property in the municipalities. As a comparison, the 1949 total assessed values of land and improvements were just slightly in excess of 1 billion dollars. By the year 1955 these values had doubled to over 2 billion dollars. The values for the year under review amount to more than 4 billion dollars. This comparison serves to indicate the very substantial growth in the municipal tax base over the past few years. The figure for 1962 represents an increase of about 300 million dollars over 1961 values. This is an increase of 8 per cent, somewhat more than the percentage increase of the previous year. The year-by-year increase in the tax base is more particularly depicted in the following table. Growth in Combined Assessed Values and Taxes in Municipalities of British Columbia Year Assessed Values Assessed Values Actually Taxed Tax Revenues All Properties Taxable Properties School Municipal 1955 1956 $2,108,458,383 2,432,313,912 2,765,873,099 3,047,766,854 3,327,118,937 3,569,240,135 3,717,472,643 4.032.288.772 $1,742,081,045 2,035,542,999 2,315,295,651 2,569,271,281 2,805,547,214 3,015,844,390 3,142,969,534 3.407.538.034 $1,350,856,875 1,586,627,603 1,854,677,597 2,053,934,444 2,248,145,499 2,417,467,198 2,508,401,082 2.770.194.168 $1,044,040,275 1,238,390,209 1,415,935,241 1,562,991,738 1,721,746,974 1,843,967,404 1,920,101,216 2.182.411.559 $59,112,580 66,418,657 78,811,653 92,429,190 104,819,992 116,857,478 122,272,311 140,000,0001 1957 1958 1959 1960 .. 1961. 1962 1 I 1 Estimated. The total assessed values actually taxed for school purposes in the Province in 1962 amounted to $3,559,503,840. Of this total, $2,770,194,168 or 78 per cent represented values within the municipalities. During 1962 the Inspector of Municipalities approved term borrowing for the municipalities in the total amount of $14,006,884, the major part of which was supported by serial debenture issues. This is a decrease from the amount of borrowing approved by the Inspector for the previous year. This decrease is brought about mainly as a result of the austerity programme of the Federal Government, which resulted in a rapid rise in interest rates on borrowed funds, which in turn made borrowing on a long-term basis an unattractive proposition. Many municipalities with works projected or in hand were severely affected by the rapid deterioration of the bond market in the early summer. Some municipalities experienced difficulty in arranging financing for capital projects, even on a temporary basis. Extreme difficulties were encountered where a contract had already been let for the work and the need for funds pressing. The general recovery of the money market in recent months has eased some of the pressure, and bond sales at the end 5 X 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA of the year were again going forward with interest rates at a generally lower plane than those prevailing earlier in the year. It is hoped that the firming trend shown by the market will continue into the new year to allow the rather considerable backlog of municipal debentures to be marketed. The austerity programme, as reflected in municipal financing, was severely felt by the smaller municipalities, which do not have the resources or credit of the larger units. However, in the majority of cases temporary financing or bond sales have now been arranged. The amount and the purpose for which new borrowings were approved by the Inspector of Municipalities are set out below. The major part of these new borrowings was or is to be financed by way of debenture issues, although it is significant to report that term bank loans and financing by the metropolitan water and sewer boards played an increasingly important role in municipal financing during the year. Borrowing by the City of Vancouver is not subject to the approval of the Inspector of Municipalities and therefore is not included in this table. Distribution of Authorized Debenture Debt by Purposes for the Year 1962 Purpose Cities Districts Towns Villages Local Districts Total $2,033,000 290,033 27,700 107,000 727,500 $4,982,000 1,994,105 1,400,000 1,216,448 539,000 89,000 67,000 30,000 $2,998 $143,100 90,000 $7,161,098 2,374,138 1,427,700 1,323,448 6,000 237,000 1,272,500 326,000 67,000 25,000 55,000 Totals $3,210,233 $10,317,553 $2,998 $476,100 $14,006,884 The total debenture debt as at December 31, 1961, of all municipalities, including the City of Vancouver, is illustrated by the following table:— Total Authorized Debenture Debt as at December 31, 1961 Issued, Sold and Outstanding Unissued and Unsold Total $45,925,615 50,008,211 3,253,199 5,944,758 58,000 $12,064,522 6,859,926 642,040 461,000 $57,990,137 56,868,137 3,895,239 Districts 6,405,758 58,000 Totals $105,189,783 | $20,027,488 $125,217,271 Vancouver ... 153,185,108 | 700,000 153,885,108 $258,374,891 $20,727,488 $279,102,379 Provincial guarantees authorized under the provisions of the Municipalities Assistance Act were reduced in number this year. However, Provincial guarantees in the total amount of $5,382,500 were approved, a significant amount and representing a large percentage of the over-all borrowing by the municipalities during 1962. The borrowings which were guaranteed during the year, including borrowings by the City of Vancouver, are summarized below. REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 7 Municipalities Assistance Act Guarantees Approved during 1962 Cities (excluding Vancouver) _ Districts Towns Villages Local districts $418,000 519,500 245,000 Total Vancouver Grand total $1,182,500 4,200,000 $5,382,500 A summary of the amount of the debentures guaranteed by the Province under the Municipalities Assistance Act and under the Village Municipalities Assistance Act outstanding as at December 31, 1962, is indicated below. Outstanding Debentures Guaranteed by the Province as at December 31, 1962 Village Municipalities Assistance Act Municipalities Assistance Act Total Cities (excluding Vancouver).. Districts Towns Villages- Local districts.... Totals- Vancouver Greater Victoria Water District Greater Nanaimo Sewerage and Drainage District- Greater Nanaimo Water District Greater Vancouver Water District — _ Grand totals $516,500 323,500 2,247,000 2,996,200 $11,907,500 8,049,850 572,000 2,429,500 57,000 $12,424,000 8,373,350 2,819,000 5,425,700 57,000 $6,083,200 $23,015,850 18,364,000 871,000 2,133,000 180,000 23,254,000 $29,099,050 18,364,000 871,000 2,133,000 180,000 23,254,000 $6,083,200 $67,817,850 $96,916,900 It is conservatively estimated that the liability represented by guaranteed debenture issues is supported by the revenues of self-liquidating utilities or enterprises with an appraised value in excess of 115 million dollars. Guaranteed debt is first, of course, a direct obligation of the issuing municipality. In addition to the amounts mentioned in the above table, there is also outstanding under the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Act debentures totalling $33,990,500. The Department of Finance of the Federal Government has advised the Department that as at January 1, 1963, all semi-annual repayments have been met on loans authorized under the provisions of the Municipalities Improvements Assistance Act, 1938. The total amount outstanding on these loans is $138,240.22, comprising one city, $12,336.81; two district municipalities, $34,524.69; one village, $4,626.29; one improvement district incorporated under the Water Act, $12,090.08; and the Greater Vancouver Water District, $74,662.35. The principal amounts of all loans authorized under the Municipalities Improvements Assistance Act, 1938, to British Columbia municipalities and other corporations totalled $2,146,759.70. X 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA The sewer financing assistance programme offered by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation under the provisions of the National Housing Act has continued to have an expanding influence in the financing of municipal sewage- disposal schemes. The programme which was due to terminate on March 31,1963, has been extended by the Federal Government for a further term and will continue to be of real benefit to those municipalities constructing or extending sewage treatment and disposal facilities during the coming year. This programme has offered a below-market interest rate for borrowing on a long-term basis and significant debt- cancellation benefits to those municipalities participating. Short-term borrowing for capital projects proved to be of major importance during 1962 as an added means of financing where the issue and marketing of debenture issues proved to be a problem through high interest requirements. These undertakings, normally by means of a bank loan, are for a maximum term of five years, and the borrowing limit for this category of debt is fixed for each municipality on the basis of its population. Borrowings under this provision amounted to $206,940 during 1962. The borrowing must first be approved by the Inspector of Municipalities, but does not require the assent of the owner-electors as in the case of ordinary term borrowings. It was found necessary to hold one public inquiry during 1962 into an application for a certificate of approval to a debenture by-law. The certificate was granted. This was the first time it was necessary to hold such an inquiry since the year 1959. Twenty certificates of self-liquidation were granted to seventeen municipalities in respect of eleven utility systems and nine sewer systems during the year under review. A number of the certificates were provisional, which will eventually be replaced by subsisting certificates after the municipality has proved by actual operation that the new utility or enterprise is on a self-liquidating basis. To date there have been ninety-nine certificates of self-liquidation issued to seventy municipalities, a number of which have received more than one certificate. The majority of municipalities have now established their utilities and other municipal enterprises on a self-liquidating basis, thereby gaining additional borrowing power under the formula established by the Municipal Act. Reserve funds for various purposes at the end of 1961 amounted to $13,914,- 629. This represents an increase of approximately 4 per cent or $61,590 over the previous year. These funds are available for capital expenditures, subject to approval of the Minister of Municipal Affairs. These reserves comprise statutory funds, such as receipts from the sale of tax-sale properties or other municipal lands and special-purpose reserves, made up of contributions from current revenue or general revenue fund surplus. The year 1962 marked the third year of the award of the Minister of Municipal Affairs' shield to the municipalities having the highest percentage turnout of electors at the annual election. The municipalities receiving the awards for the December, 1961, elections in the three categories were: Cities and towns—Cranbrook, with a turnout of 76.6 per cent; districts—Kitimat, with a turnout of 70.9 per cent (Kitimat also won the award in 1961); villages—Natal, with a turnout of 79.1 per cent. This was the first annual election for Natal. The percentage returns were high, as the year 1961 was generally a mayoralty year. These awards have proved to be of value in encouraging the municipalities to make an effort to increase their percentage turnout of electors. The interest in the competition is reflected in the prompt return of the election results to the Department. The course in municipal administration being offered by the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration of the University of British Columbia under the REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 9 sponsorship of the Department is now in its ninth year. The total enrolment for the 1962/63 course-year is made up of thirty-seven first-year students, twenty-nine second-year students, twenty-five third-year students, twenty-two fourth-year students, and seven in special one-year assessors' course. It is gratifying to note that 131 students have now completed the four-year course in either municipal administration or municipal finance, or both. The annual institute was held at the University, during which the year-end examinations took place. The results of the examinations were as follows: Completed first-year, 26; second-year, 19; third-year, 19, and fourth year, 23. Diplomas in both the junior and senior categories were granted by the University to all students successfully completing the second or fourth year of the course. The Board of Examiners established under Part XXVI of the Municipal Act is playing an increasingly active role in the advancement of municipal administration, largely through the interest shown in in-service training offered by the University. During 1962 the Board granted thirty certificates of proficiency, bringing to 151 the number now issued to municipal officials; six junior certificates in administration, seven senior certificates in administration, eleven senior certificates in finance, and six certificates in property appraisal were issued. The twenty-third annual conference of the Municipal Officers' Association of British Columbia was held again in Victoria on June 4, 5, and 6, 1962. The conference was well attended, with a large percentage of the municipalities represented, and, as in previous years, proved to be of value both to the representatives of the municipalities and to the members of the Department. Many facets of municipal administration and municipal functions were dealt with by individual addresses or panel discussions. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities held its fifty-ninth annual convention in September at Kamloops. This convention was attended by the undersigned and the Supervisor of Municipalities. Two communities were incorporated as village municipalities in 1962. These were Chetwynd and Valemount. Chetwynd was incorporated on the 25th day of September, 1962, and has an estimated population of 925 and an area of 958 acres. Valemount was incorporated on the 13th day of December, 1962, with an estimated population of 511 and an area of 640 acres. A number of communities throughout the Province showed interest in incorporation, and it is anticipated that possibly two or three new villages will be incorporated during the coming year. Sparwood, a neighbour community of the Village of Natal, held its incorporation plebiscite late in the year and will likely be incorporated as a village municipality early in the new year. Incorporation plebiscites were also held at Bella Coola and Clinton. In both instances the question failed to meet the required three-fifths majority by a small margin. There were no changes of status during 1962, and none are immediately indicated, although a number of municipalities now have a population sufficient to allow them to rise to another status. This, in particular, is the case in some of the larger villages. The boundaries of the Villages of Sidney, Hazelton, Ashcroft, and Princeton and the Cities of Cranbrook and Fernie were extended in 1962. Details of these extensions are illustrated by the following table, which shows the increase in area as well as the increase in population:— X 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA Adjustments in Area and Increases in Population, 1962 Area (in Acres) Population Municipality Before Extension of Area Contained in Area Added After Extension of Area Before Extension of Area Contained in Area Added After Extension of Area Cities Cranbrook Fernie Villages Sidney Hazelton 516.00 336.50 578.00 27.63 228.40 665.00 226.00 277.50 46.66 59.90 1,181.00 562.50 855.50 74.29 288.30 547.31 5,549 2,661 1,558 410 868 2,163 1,085 5 316 46 2 4 6,634 2,666 1,874 456 870 546.00 1 1.31 2,167 The Local Services Act has again proved to be a very workable means of providing needed community services in unorganized territory. A number of local areas were established this year, as follows:— Local Areas Established, 1962 Name Purpose Date Robson Local Area.. Spences Bridge Local Area- Simon Fraser Local Area.. View Royal Local Area Campbell River Local Area.. Nanaimo Local Area Home nursing ... Fire protection- Home nursing.. Public comfort-stations.. Home nursing Home nursing February 1st. February 1st. March 8th. April 19th. May 28th. May 28th. In addition to the above, minor boundary adjustments were made to two previously established home nursing local areas. There was also activity in community planning areas in 1962, which is a further function under the Local Services Act. Details of this and of other activities of the Regional Planning Division of the Department follow in the report of the Director. We have continued to work with the other Provincial departments in the matter of providing adequate garbage-disposal facilities for residents in unorganized territory. All the Provincial health units have been contacted, and information obtained as to the problems in each area. From this it has been possible for us to suggest ways of overcoming some of the problems, and it is pleasing to note that many areas now have satisfactory facilities and that several local organizations have been willing to take on increased responsibility in maintaining the disposal-sites. This has, in part, been made easier by the co-operation of the Department of Lands in leasing Crown land for this purpose. In the process of formation at the present time are the areas around Campbell River, Prince George (John Hart Highway), and Shuswap Lake. The main obstacle encountered has been the difficulty in finding organizations or local groups who are able to establish and operate the facilities required. It would appear that some other solution to the problem must be sought in such instances. The most significant changes and additions enacted by the 1962 Session of the Legislature which affected municipalities are as follows:— Three major amendments were made to the Municipal Act. The first dealt with the licensing of commercial vehicles. This is an innovation in that commercial vehicles are licensed by means of a uniform procedure rather than on an individual basis, as was previously the case through municipal trades licensing. The effect of this new procedure is a common licence issued by participating municipalities which REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 11 is valid throughout the Province. This replaces the previous trades licence practice of multiple licensing where commercial vehicles operate in more than one municipality. The licence fee has been standardized, and receipts from this source are centrally deposited with the Department for disbursement, after deducting administration costs, to the participating municipalities on a per capita basis. The Department is charged with the administrative responsibility for this function and is in the process of setting up and organizing the programme. This additional activity has added materially to the responsibilities of the staff. The programme goes into effect in 1963 with the majority of the municipalities participating in the scheme. The second important amendment concerns special ditching powers for district municipalities to enable this class of municipality to deal effectively with drainage problems. This entailed the inclusion of a further subdivision within the Municipal Act dealing with this specific function. Municipalities are now excluded from the provisions of the Ditches and Watercourses Act, except where co-operation is required between a municipality and property-owners in unorganized territory. The third major amendment was the complete rewriting of Division (1) of Part XXIV of the Municipal Act, dealing with urban areas. The amendments made, I feel, have greatly improved the workability of this Division and provide greater local powers and responsibilities for urban boards. The Division as rewritten is designed to make the establishment of urban areas a more attractive and practical solution for administration problems on the local level in the municipalities of large area and decentralized population cores. Other amendments to the Municipal Act oi a more general nature involved specific administrative matters, borrowing for utilities, zoning and subdivision control, and parks. Amendments were made to the Local Services Act, which is under the direct jurisdiction of the Department. This Act was amended to broaden the scope of the legislation to include recreational or community facilities. Certain municipalities were affected by specific amendments to the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act. These municipahties were Cache Creek, Surrey, Matsqui, Oak Bay, Peachland, Richmond, Port Moody, Delta, and Vancouver. The Greater Campbell River Water District Act, enacted at the 1962 Session of the Legislature, was proclaimed on the 1st day of August, 1962, establishing the member communities of the Village of Campbell River and the Improvement Districts of Willow Point and Quinsam as the Greater Campbell River Water District. This followed the separate endorsement of the move by the owner-electors of the three communities. The work in the Department has continued to expand, and this year added burdens were placed on the staff through the Department being charged with the responsibility for the general administration of the licensing procedures for commercial vehicles. In addition, the Municipal Winter Works Incentive Programme and the Sewer Financing Assistance Programme have continued to expand, adding an increasing volume of work detail. The ever-enlarging activities of the municipalities, both in the field of finance and in general administration, continue to utilize the services of the Department to the full. I would again like to express my thanks to all municipal officials of this Province, both elected and appointed, for their courtesy and assistance, to the executive and staff of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, to the executive of the Municipal Officers' Association, to all other Government officials, and to you, Sir, for your support and encouragement. J. E. BROWN, F.C.I.S., Deputy Minister and Inspector of Municipalities. X 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUNICIPALITIES Victoria, B.C., January 17, 1963. /. E. Brown, Esq., Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs. Sir,—The field of municipal administration continues to expand and become more complex as the population of the municipalities increases, bringing with it ever more urgent demands for more services such as roads, sewers, water, etc. When one considers that the general revenue of the municipalities increased from $68,000,000 in 1951 to $184,000,000 in 1961, and that the debenture debt increased from $160,000,000 to $279,000,000 over the same period, it is apparent that the additional demands placed on the staff in the performance of their duties have been great. Commensurate with the development of the municipalities and their expansion has been the requirement for greater knowledge by the staff to deal with the many problems as they arise. The members of the staff have met this situation by enrolling for special courses of study from time to time to help them keep abreast of the latest developments in the fields of administration and finance. This latter effort has been recognized in that the Board of Examiners has seen fit to grant certificates of proficiency in municipal finance and in municipal administration to Mr. Smith and in municipal administration to Mr. Woodward of the Department. The following is a compilation of some of the major activities of the Department during 1962:— (1) One hundred and eight-five visits were made to municipalities. The number of municipalities actually visited was 121, some receiving more than one visit. (2) Two hundred and fifty-two Minutes of Council were prepared and subsequently approved by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. (3) Eighty-four certificates of approval for municipal loan by-laws were issued. A few of these were cancelled during the year due to the subsequent amendment of the by-law concerned. A new certificate to the by-law as amended was issued if required. (4) Sixty-two debenture issues were examined and subsequently certified by the Inspector of Municipalities, consisting of 11,787 debentures of a total par value of $11,605,082.41. (5) Seven hundred and seventeen by-laws were examined and registered. Of this amount, eighty-one were town by-laws, 632 were village by-laws, and four were local district by-laws. Many of the by-laws required advice and correspondence, resulting in resubmission in revised form. (6) Several hundred draft by-laws and similar documents were submitted for review and comment, involving a considerable amount of correspondence. (7) Publication of the Annual Report of Municipal Statistics. (8) Editing the financial and statistical returns of the municipalities to ensure conformity with statutory and other requirements. This phase of administration involves considerable correspondence with municipal officials and auditors. (9) By correspondence and by personal visits to the various municipalities, encouraging the adoption of good financial, accounting, and administrative procedures. In view of its increased importance to investment houses, financial institutions, and others, we are continuing in our efforts to ensure that the financial and other REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 13 statistical information contained in the annual edition of Municipal Statistics is accurate and on a comparable basis with prior years. We have continued to receive excellent co-operation from municipal officials and auditors in submitting financial and other statements promptly, thereby facilitating its early publication. For the fifth consecutive winter the Government of Canada has provided an incentive for municipalities to undertake winter works for the relief of unemployment. The incentive is the offer to pay one-half of the direct labour cost of approved projects of a capital nature. The programme period is initially the same as the 1961/62 season, that is October 15th to April 30th. There were no basic changes in the regulations or in the type of project which may be undertaken on a shareable basis under the current programme. In addition to the incentive offered by the Federal Government, the Government of this Province has again agreed to pay to municipalities 25 per cent of the approved direct labour costs relating to accepted projects. The Province, in addition, has agreed to pay a further 25 per cent of the wages of any person employed on an accepted project who has been continuously in receipt of welfare assistance from on or before July 1, 1962, to the date of being engaged on the project. An indication of the growth of the programme may be gained from the following:— Cost of Projects Man-days Work Payroll 1959/60 as at January 15, 1960 1960/61 as at January 15, 1961 1961/62 as at January 15th, 1962.. 1962/63 as at January 15, 1963— $7,000,000 20,000,000 26,500,000 25,000,000 | 183,000 392,000 426,000 413,000 $3,000,000 7,000,000 8,333,333 7,500,000 These are estimated figures of the municipalities for the programme period. As of January 15, 1963, approvals had been given to 529 projects, whereas the total number for last year's programme was 537 projects. It is anticipated that additional applications will be received this year following the consideration of municipal budgets by the Councils in 1963. The following tabulation gives a summary of the British Columbia municipalities participating in the Winter Works Programme as at January 15, 1963, according to the records of this office:— Number of men 6,000 Man-days work 413,000 Total cost of projects $24,768,000 Federal share (payroll cost) $3,766,000 Provincial share (payroll cost) $ 1,918,000 Municipal share (payroll cost) $1,879,000 Total payroll under offer $7,563,000 Nature and Total Cost of Projects Waterworks Sewers Drainage Roads Sidewalks Buildings Parks ___.. $2,068,000 7,667,000 646,000 2,293,000 1,150,000 3,708,000 1,170,000 Other - 1,716,000 X 14 BRITISH COLUMBIA Municipalities Participating Number of Accepted Projects Cities 29 Cities Districts 215 Districts 26 152 Towns Villages Other 4 38 .... 25 Towns Villages Other Total 18 104 40 Total 122 529 Table 1 shows the final summary of the Municipal Winter Works Incentive Programme for the year 1961/62 as issued by the Department of Labour, Ottawa, and Table 2 indicates the same information for the current programme as at January 11, 1963. All classes of municipalities continue to maintain a high rate of collection of taxes. The city and district municipalities collected in excess of 95 per cent of the curernt levy, the villages over 93 per cent, and the towns over 90 per cent. Correspondence was directed to any municipality where the arrears of taxes were in excess of 10 per cent of the current levy in an effort to determine whether appropriate steps were being taken to improve the position. It is felt that improvements could be made in administrative procedures in some of the municipalities involved, and this matter will receive our continued attention. A review of the municipal tax-collection picture across Canada reveals that the percentage collection of current taxes in British Columbia municipalities ranks among the highest in Canada, and that the percentage of arrears of taxes is among the lowest. There are, of course, economic factors which have contributed to the establishment of this favourable position. However, it should also be pointed out that the municipal treasurers and collectors are continuing to develop techniques which are proving to be successful in effecting and maintaining a high rate of tax collection, and they are to be congratulated for their efforts in this regard. Tables 3 and 4 reveal further information relative to tax collections in British Columbia municipalities for the years shown. By reference to Table 5 it will be seen that after correcting for both population and price there has been between 1921 and 1961 an increase of 95 per cent in revenues in the case of cities, 205 per cent for Vancouver, and 113 per cent for districts. The classification of town did not exist prior to January 1, 1958. In the case of villages the percentage increase over 1931 has been 205 per cent. Subject to the inherent limitations of the data, this the extent to which today's citizens are paying for increased or better community services compared with forty years ago in the cities and districts and thirty years ago in the villages. The amount of revenue collected by the various municipalities varies quite widely. Table 6 gives an approximate idea of this range. Generally, the amount of revenue collected is the result of the interplay between the cost of providing a certain level of desired services and the willingness of the taxpayer to be taxed. In part this tendency to collect (or spend) is related to size. The larger the community, the greater the per capita revenues required, although obviously size is not the only factor. It may be generally concluded that the municipalities now depend upon local taxation to a much smaller extent than was the case thirty-five years ago. At that time roughly 90 per cent of their revenues came from taxation. Today it is approxi- mately 66 per cent or less. ; D BairDj ^ ^ Deputy Inspector and Supervisor of Municipalities. REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 15 On w z Q w Q Z W w w s rt Pi tN vo vo rt < m o o P< rt > H Z w o z I—I tn PS o PS rt H z rt < 5 z p w « 00 00 rH C VI "2 3 CS im H OC r^rH *-t >o Tt I Z w " o O O CS T-H Q\ t- so rn cn o\ <?\ Qs oo oo cn cn Tf cn ti so os in in cs cs rn tH; ON 00 rH f\) Qs so so in cn in vo © r» tj- rH \D CO OV cn rH I/") CO CS Q 00 vo vo © m CS CS vo VO 00 00 O CO so oo Tf Tf r> o in m rHn t-h en oo t*- -h rH O <N (S in vi Tf o OO SO (S vo TJ t— r- 00 rH cs ts r> o\ oo"cs" cn O cn m in rH O rH OA O Tf Tf Tf tN © r- cn in cn CS rH VO Tf Cv 0\ VO rH CS 00 Tf co m «n Tf oo vo r* t- cs t- co ts oo" oo" 00 O Tf T-H O Tt Cf)H CS 5*2 ■o-g P M o gj i ^ O i/i ill 2|| (,_, Ph 0 °t3a ri rt to S.«9 » M i8 c o a o _o o =3 Ci.B o £ £ IH 3 > >. § o g,so -j O cS O w H o Rtjg u uj "a t- cn CS oo o\ cs CS t- © ©" O ^ co r~ r^ cn vo t-h en *h Tf m cc r- c-a cn 00 cs vo cS in in cs t-h t-i Tf in r- i— Tt Tf <**.*"; •n vf cS Tf OO ri r- "cj 01 fe " 111 m is 1'S || fc « C! oo K T - ■- 6 o d ■g » ti £) OOortririLjrtairirirttrH '-H-^--Hfir-f-MC;rvc.v:>r-0 ■ - s S'go'S ft & n o, a a III *| n.§ e a to 88" M « w n °.§al ■ffi 3 X 16 BRITISH COLUMBIA VO Os PS < p z < Q W Q Z w W rt H P=i O rt w PS5 cn vo CN VO ON S 1 I i w § H 2 z 1 w a u — z hH PS o PS w H z rt < rt z CN rt rt «•§ t- r- O «n oo ir c r rt VC t- 5« r- c- rH (S © CS -, r- Tt in cn cs cn cS p cS vo" CS H i-« r-- i-H t- cs 00 Tf © £ CS CS Tf cnTf en c cs V\ 2 cs" a o M i i ! i ! i j j 3 Mil i &h ! cS <n cn © Q c ON ON T3 Qs os : as so en cs _. VC 5 oo cn CO 2 r-t- ] ^ t- *n vs. £. cs o cs. \ CS rn co" Tf cn m m vo Tf vo cn 00 VO ve © cn cn Os in Qs m vn «r.W «■ JS r- t- t- cs w •<* CO rt' Tf t-h rH ! f- t- rH CS rH VD n cs r> m 2 »^1 in rH Tf Tf ON „ u^ ■* Cb cs £ Tl 8M 1 T""1 s rH © rH C-* CS rH VO i- CO OC vO t> •*rr 00 O Tf ON _+ rH rH Cn 00 © VO J* Tf vc m Tf m° cn C" cn 2 cs" cs" vo Cn 0\ Tf ON Tf rH rH O ON cn VI Tf m o> Tt m r- t~~ Tf vovc ©csvo a\ £ VO cs C-Tt o r> o> m co 3 a rH rH OS m" Tf (-T c V cs" o cn oo cs Tt o T cs inTfrHrnovcn on vo m VC in vo On o\ rn tf m (N ,-. © ©^ in oo en >n £ ON c t~- ON o 1-1 VC m cs rH H oo oo" cs 00 ON r- vo" OlNh rH ON O^ oooo©©cno\ t-< oo vc Tf © VO so a CS © CS rH m vo m ,_ CS CS rH vo t> cs^ f. c ON s rH CC <n «n cn oo cS ^ CS r-< nmcohvor* on vi Tt cn en en rJ cn cs on © vo Tf Lf © c> -<t r-» cs -r> J; t~- vc CO f- CO C<J CC vc VO Tf r-? r-T Tf" Tf i-« rn a" o" © en © 00 CS ON VO rH GO O Tf" cs vo oo rt r- vo -rt m Os m ^ VO SO ^IP ©„ m„ Jr (^ *n TH © 3 VI V ines vo"oo"en" t> cn c vo" cs cs eo Tf comcnooTfvo in r- o rH C- u tNc-l cs m in cn ^ win do cc cn in p m cs es r> » °-.^ m Tf 00* o t> cs cs c^ vc cn Tf ONOOvtNTfin Os so VO c r- oo tj © en C- © © vo co _, Tf r- r- © CS oc rn CS 9 m" v" in o\ vo on Tt Tf CS © OO CS VO O" C m u cn cS Tf I <U M t> ^ •a 00 1 e.s o .2 s ; 1 3 "lH t\ 'G u 3 i 2 *3 & t-i o. •5 c rt u tj »5« goo ftfl ft 00 .s 1 u '•B 1H o 1 T3 OJ IS 0 5 o u Ti T3 4) ft i Oku o ci bj M Sft° 3 *w 2 -*8*« 2 a 2 Q _> '5 t £ t- ■c 2 c \ 0 c £ C l- « c s » .2. ' a 'C o 0 i 2 1 &E .ftg CD e a u s> o 0 1 TJ 0 c u g O Ih <U | D* i T ijj9p:t ft o u c off«S u K ft t ■9 ft 2 n cj £ rt Sj^ •V2 jj w cn w c a a a ■*■ O O Tt O O f 5* t3 o Eog +J U .. CU ._§.2.2-o-otjtj^ SJ.£ •a £ «h 13 -3 3««oouu.5bip o 1— M C ~Ci It. rt rt rc o o c ■4-1 4H +-> 4-1 t- f-J t+- 5 c t5S.& rt rt rt rt a) B. 13. a .9 .9 -5 .5 p j C | Pi a < < . c < -"5 W M tf, www H Ch w tA w w 0 p- REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 Table 3.—Percentage Tax Collections x 17 Percentage of Current Levy Collected Total Collections as a Percentage of Current Levy Outstanding Taxes as a Percentage of Current Levy 1939 Cities (Except Vancouver) 1946 1957 . - — - - 1958 - 1959 .. 1960 1961 1939 Vancouver 1946 . 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961.. 1939 Districts 1946 . . . 1957 1958 1959 1960 . 1961 . ... ._ ... 1958 Towns 1959 1960 1961 1939 . _■ . Villages 1946 . . . 1957 1958 . 1959 1960 1961 - 81.10 94.13 95.02 95.24 94.67 94.97 95.12 91.00 95.74 95.41 95.20 95.08 95.43 95.07 77.60 92.32 95.67 95.83 95.43 95.40 95.17 89.55 88.69 90.41 90.61 76.50 92.45 91.58 91.70 91.69 93.83 93.43 99.10 100.46 100.38 100.02 99.28 99.92 100.12 103.10 100.57 100.74 99.36 99.35 99.47 99.63 95.80 99.28 100.93 100.00 99.46 99.68 99.96 97.06 98.00 101.53 99.73 98.30 99.90 99.94 99.26 99.60 101.96 99.26 40.16 7.85 6.87 6.53 6.92 6.84 6.81 30.06 5.90 6.82 6.62 6.88 6.98 7.43 34.81 9.45 5.74 5.36 5.73 6.10 6.41 13.62 15.18 13.28 13.70 38.71 11.90 11.23 11.19 10.99 8.78 8.75 X 18 BRITISH COLUMBIA Cfl rt U 2 H 1/1 Q Cfl w H U rt O £ w ►J z § z m UJ W PS PS Cfl 5 U PS < W w >H s rt W a rt H o PS w n o rt < rt C/J Z w u PS W o a Ph > < Q S3 Z < Cfl Cfl w 7 3* H £ O z rt z < H i/i H D o rt rt n Eh °2 .8 3, CS VI (S *H i i I cn t> cn t-h cnxr~ en o 5t— oovo vocs en© Cr Tf m VO VO rH 0»-h ©mrHin oo tS h oo vo m en cS vo vi Tf © CS CSCS cn CSCSiTf CSCSlTf I 33.3 I csUQcs ON ON '5 cu M -a s I tn f n 3 s ? y <o S tS oi f> § a a h § « I otjgrt I » a Sri 0SS0S*Q6^'Sif^cSoSP«0StS>SDQ£S>^ is Os Os ON ON ON "■Col saga OQrt> REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 19 Table 5.—Per Capita of Municipal Revenues by Major Sources for the Years Shown Year Municipal Taxation For Schools Total Provincial Grantsi Utilities 2 Licences, Fines, and Other Total Revenue Revenue $4.00 $31.85 7.82 46.55 9.39 45.95 8.03 42.95 15.80 88.00 20.93 144.97 2.35 33.15 6.03 53.15 4.91 52.50 5.54 48.60 10.97 85.50 27.51 174.41 3.00 27.80 6.24 34.35 6.83 31.75 1.27 19.70 6.54 57.00 10.01 116.73 16.91 111.01 4.04 13.42 2.08 9.05 8.43 31.90 11.15 78.01 Total Revenue Corrected for Changes in Prices Amount Change3 Cities (except Vancouver) 1917 1921 1931.. 1941- 1951 1961 1917..... Vancouver 1921. 1931 1941 . 1951... 1961 .... ... 1917... Districts 1921 1931 1941.. . .. 1951 1961 ... 1961 Towns* 1931 . Villages 1941... 1951.. . . 1961 . $6.42 11.55 13.35 9.35 19.80 34.64 7.05 12.03 12.95 11.95 21.10 42.65 4.55 8.27 9.62 5.75 18.15 37.26 28.25 24.82 $27.85 37.60 31.80 28.20 43.15 87.53 30.80 46.60 44.80 38.40 54.00 117.03 24.80 27.60 21.80 16.20 34.20 85.70 66.04 5.60 5.81 11.14 50.32 $0.57 3.29 3.05 20.45 28.65 .52 2.79 4.35 19.60 29.68 .51 3.12 2.23 15.50 19.92 28.06 3.78 .99 11.13 15.85 $0.56 1.47 3.67 8.60 7.86 .31 .93 .19 .76 1.10 .17 1.20 .69 $57.60 100 67.75 117 61.95 107 77.50 134 112.21 195 65.75 100 77.35 117 69.75 106 75.25 114 134.99 205 42.45 46.75 28.25 50.20 90.35 85.92 19.80 13.10 28.10 60.38 100 110 67 118 213 100 100 66 142 305 1 Does not include Provincial grants for schools. 2 Utility surplus appropriated for general revenue purposes. 3 This column represents relative change in adjusted per capita revenue. 4 The classification of town did not exist prior to lanuary 1, 1958. X 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA Table 6.—Distribution of per Capita Revenues for Cities, Districts, Towns, and Villages for the Years 1951 and 1961 1951 Per Capita Revenues Cities Districts Towns Villages $0 $9.99 ... 1 2 A t A 2 1 1 4 10 6 2 2 1 1 — 2 10- 19 99 - 7 20- 29.99 - 10 30- 39.99 ... . 13 40 49.99 - . . 7 50- 59.99 2 60- 69.99 70- 79.99 80 89 99 .... 90- 99.99 . 100-109.99 - 110-119.99 ... — 120 129.99 - 130-139.99 - 140-149.99 ' 150-159.99 - — 160-169.99 — 170-179.99 _ 180-189.99 - 190-199.99 ... . . Personal income for British Columbia: Total, $1,568,000,000; per capita, $1,346. Personal income for Canada: Total, $15,824,000,000; per capita, $1,061. 1961 $0- $9.99 . 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 2 4 4 2 1 1 4 6 3 7 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 10- 19.99 . 20- 29.99 . 30- 39.99 2 40- 49.99 1 50- 59.99... . . . 8 60- 69.99 15 70- 79.99 13 SO- 89 99 90- 99.99. 3 100-109.99 _ 4 110-119.99 120-129.99 1 130-139.99 . . . 140-149.99 _ _ 150-159.99 . . 160-169.99 170-179.99 . 180-189.99- 190-199.99 Personal income for British Columbia: Total, $2,947,000,000; per capita, $1,809. Personal income for Canada: Total, $28,049,000,000; per capita, $1,538. REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 X 21 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR, REGIONAL PLANNING DIVISION Victoria, B.C., January 16, 1963. /. E. Brown, Esq., Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs. Sir,—-The Division continued last year to expand and improve its community planning services throughout the Province. Planning assistance to those municipalities beyond the boundaries of the Lower Mainland Regional Planning Board and the Capital Region Planning Board who showed an interest in implementing plans prepared by the Division and to those who have requested that plans be prepared continued throughout the year. At the close of the year there were twenty-one community planning areas in operation in unorganized territory throughout the Province. The following changes took place during the year in respect of such areas:— Community Planning Area Number 21 was disestablished when the Village of Chetwynd became incorporated with the same boundaries as the area. Community Planning Area Number 16 was established at Sicamous, a growing community of about 1,000 on the Trans-Canada Highway between Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. Community Planning Area Number 12 was enlarged to include the land around Pouce Coupe and along the Alaska and John Hart Highways. Community Planning Area Number 13 was enlarged to include the communities of Belcarra and loco and other places north-west of Port Moody on Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. During the year the staff planners completed community plans for two municipalities and gave advice on request to those places where we had previously done work. These plans, when finalized, will form a positive guide from which reasonable land-use controls such as zoning can be established. The staff are also developing similar plans for community planning areas. While the plans in the area around Nanaimo are being made, the staff are working closely with the Advisory Planning Commission for the area. The staff of the Capital Region Planning Board are doing similar work in Community Planning Area Number 5, North Saanich, on our behalf. In Community Planning Area Number 7, around Prince George, two members of the staff held a public exhibit for four days in the Provincial Government Building. Many people living in the area came to see the proposed plans, and the staff had an opportunity to explain the proposals to individuals and record their reactions to them. The total value of construction in all of the community planning areas was $17,353,350, the highest annual amount reported by the Division. This resulted from the trend of increased construction in the Province last year and the increased coverage of our services in unorganized territory. The value of construction, number of dwelling units built, and the population of the community planning areas is shown in the following table:— X 22 BRITISH COLUMBIA Dwelling Units Built, 1962 Dwelling Units Built since Areas Established Total Value of Construction, 1962 Approximate Population of Area, 1961 Community Planning Area Number 1 (around Kelowna)_ Community Planning Area Number 2 (around Vernon) Community Planning Area Number 3 (View Royal).. Community Planning Area Number 4 (Langford-Metchosin) Community Planning Area Number 5 (North Saanich) Community Planning Area Number 6 (around Nanaimo) Community Planning Area Number 7 (around Prince George) Community Planning Area Number 8 (around Kamloops) Community Planning Area Number 9 (around Quesnel) 137 45 175 66 35 179 103 115 11 Community Planning Area Number 10 (Connaught Heights, D.L. 172, next to New Westminster) Community Planning Area Number 11 (around Alberni) Community Planning Area Number 12 (around Dawson Creek) Community Planning Area Number 13 (Woodhaven near loco) Community Planning Area Number 14 (North of Campbell River to south of Courtenay) Community Planning Area Number 15 (around Fort St. John) Community Planning Area Number 16 (Sicamous) 1 10 119 45 6 Community Planning Area Number 17 (Fort Nelson) Community Planning Area Number 18 (West Bench, Penticton).. Community Planning Area Number 19 (Hudson Hope) Community Planning Area Number 20 (Crooked River, 60 miles north of Prince George) Community Planning Area Number 21 (Chetwynd) _ Community Planning Area Number 22 (Chase) Others 1,304 460 495 85 521 1,801 825 859 189 70 7 228 28 127 151 6 32 62 $2,504,340 799,610 408,771 1,017,548 610,870 3,222,153 1,190,164 1,646,536 131,130 11,810 47,500 193,179 88,870 3,423,157 798,957 200,970 375,030 297,425 17,570 211,408 156,352 10,000 4,600 3,400 11,200 3,300 14,000 9,200 5,200 500 1,450 200 1,800 400 13,400 3,400 1,000 2,500 200 700 10 925 1,000 Totals. 1,073 7,270 $17,353,350 88,385 Total value of construction to date, $94,425,580. A change has been made in the make-up of the building inspection staff. There is now a Chief Building Inspector, eight full-time inspectors, and four part- time inspectors looking after either larger areas or a number of smaller areas, instead of the former procedure of having part-time inspectors looking after small areas. Last January the Chief Building Inspector, in co-operation with officials from the National Research Council, the Canadian Institute of Timber Construction, and the Department of Health Services and Hospital Insurance, held a two-week course on advanced building construction at Parksville. It is gratifying to report that in addition to our full-time building inspectors, twenty-nine municipalities and two Federal agencies sent their building inspectors to the course. Don South, M.T.P.I.C., Director, Regional Planning Division. Printed by A. Sutton, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in right of the Province of British Columbia. 1963 1,060-163-5176
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DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT for the YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1962 British Columbia. Legislative Assembly [1963]
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Title | DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT for the YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1962 |
Alternate Title | REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1962 |
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British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | [1963] |
Genre |
Legislative proceedings |
Type |
Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1963_V02_16_X1_X22 |
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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 | 2018-01-29 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia |
CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0363991 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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