PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
DEPARTMENT OF
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
REPORT
for the
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
1975
Printed by K. M. MacDonald, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
in right of the Province of British Columbia.
1976
To Colonel the Honourable Walter S. Owen, Q.C, LL.D.,
Lieutenant-Governor of the Province oj 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, 1975.
HUGH A. CURTIS
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Victoria, B.C., March 31, 1976.
Victoria, B.C., March 31, 1976
The Honourable Hugh A. Curtis,
Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Sir: I have the honour to submit the Annual Report of the Department of
Municipal Affairs for the year ended December 31, 1975.
This Report contains a review of Departmental activities and observations of
the programs and financial position of the municipalities and regional districts
within the Province. Greater detail with respect to these areas is contained in the
publications Municipal Statistics and Statistics Relating to Regional and Municipal
Governments in British Columbia, which are published annually by the Department
from information contained in audited financial and other statements of the municipalities and regional districts.
R. W. LONG
Deputy Minister
CONTENTS
Departmental Publications-
Departmental Activities
Legislation
Administrative Services-
Financial Management..
Planning Services
Transit Services
Charts
Page
. 7
. 8
. 12
_ 13
. 21
. 30
. 35
. 39
Y 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA
DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
The Honourable Hugh A. Curtis
Minister of Municipal Affairs
R. W. Prittie, Deputy Minister and Inspector of Municipalities
V. J. Parker, Associate Deputy Minister and Director of Transit
C. H. L. Woodward, F.C.I.S., Associate Deputy Minister and Deputy
Inspector of Municipalities
G. E. Whelen, F.C.I.S., Executive Officer
K. MacLeod, Research Officer
R. T. Cubbon, Research Officer
Administrative Services
T. F. Moore, F.C.I.S., Executive Director
A. R. Clarke, Senior Administrative Officer
J. G. Callan, Senior Administrative Officer
W. J. Larter, Administrative Officer
R. O'Genski, Administrative Officer
N. A. McCrimmon, A.C.I.S., Administrative Officer
D. Conway, Administrative Officer
Financial Services
J. P. Taylor, Executive Director
H. G. Topham, C.A., Director
W. H. Boyce, C.A., Assistant Director and Departmental Comptroller
F. J. Thompson, C.G.A., Administrative Officer
W. J. Sommerville, Administrative Officer
R. M. A. Brearley, R.I.A., Administrative Officer
J. Pappas, Administrative Officer
Planning Services
G. C. Harkness, M.C.I.P., Executive Director
W. J. Tassie, M.C.I.P., Senior Planning Co-ordinator
B. S. Jawanda, M.C.I.P., Senior Planning Co-ordinator
B. Chambers, M.C.I.P., Senior Planning Co-ordinator
L. Ward, M.C.I.P., Senior Planning Co-ordinator
T. Maftechuk, M.C.I.P., Senior Planning Co-ordinator
L. V. Luchin, P.M.C.I.P., Senior Planning Co-ordinator
A. L. Quin, P.M.C.I.P., Planning Co-ordinator
B. Martin, P.M.C.I.P., Planning Co-ordinator
Transit Services
B. E. Sullivan, Assistant to the Director
C. A. Spratt, Manager, Marketing and Operation
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 7
DEPARTMENTAL PUBLICATIONS
Annual Report
Municipal Statistics
Statistics Relating to Regional and Municipal Governments
Regional Districts in British Columbia
A Guide to Municipal Management
A Guide to Regional District Management
ACTS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Municipal Act
Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act
Local Services Act
Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia Act
Mobile Home Tax Act
Provincial Rapid Transit Act
Provincial Transit Fund Act
Transit Services Act
Sewerage Facilities Assistance Act
Resort Municipality of Whistler Act
Y 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA
DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES
The local government scene in British Columbia continues to be characterized
by population growth and a resultant increase in demand for local services. These
services, such as water works and sewerage systems, are essential to the formation
and survival of modern communities. They also represent substantial and increasingly costly capital investments. The rising cost of capital development and the
accompanying increases in operating and other costs are reflected in the expansion
of municipal revenue requirements. In the five-year period from 1969 to 1974,
municipal revenues, including those of utilities, have increased by approximately
$246 million to $569 million. Debenture debt over the same period has increased
to almost $690 million from less than $462 million.
As local governments develop and expand, so do the demands placed upon
all members of our staff. This year the Department has coped with a heavier and
more complex work load than ever before.
The assessed value of taxable properties for municipal purposes in municipalities is nearly $13 billion, an increase of approximately 20 per cent over the
previous year. It is worth noting that while property taxes are increasing the level
of tax collections has for the past several years remained stable at the point where
approximately 97 per cent of current taxes are collected during the year in which
they are levied. The matter of assessment and taxation is dealt with more fully in
that part of the report relating to financial management.
One of the principal statutory roles of the Department is the supervision of
municipal and regional district long-term borrowing for capital programs. This
responsibility rests with the Inspector of Municipalities and during the year under
review the total borrowing authorized for a variety of projects amounted to
$122,684,314. The percentage of current revenue expended to service long-term
debenture debt has declined in the City of Vancouver, but has increased slightly
in the cities, districts, towns, and villages. The percentage revenue expended for
this purpose is not considered excessive and is well below the amount expended in
other provinces.
The Minister attended the annual meeting of Provincial Ministers of Municipal
Affairs held in Cornerbrook, Nfld., from August 16 on. He was accompanied by
several senior Departmental officials. The next annual meeting will be held in
Kingston, Ont., in August of 1976.
The Department of Municipal Affairs maintains regular contact with several
Government of Canada departments and agencies, including the Ministry of State
for Urban Affairs and Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. One result of
these contacts was the negotiation of a new sewer loan program agreement pursuant
to recent amendments to Part VIII of the National Housing Act. The Department
has also been represented in discussions concerning the possible enlargement of
runway facilities at Vancouver International Airport.
Various senior staff members were involved in national conferences such as
the Municipal Finance Officers and the Provincial Planning Officers. The Department has also been represented on the Federal-Provincial Preparatory Committees
on the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat), which is to
be held in Vancouver in 1976.
Although the volume of Departmental work did not permit as much travel as
in previous years, Departmental representatives attended many committee council
and regional board meetings throughout the Province, as well as performing inspections in a number of municipalities, improvement districts, and regional districts.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975 Y 9
Attendance at such meetings as those of the Technical Planning Committee meets
legislative requirements. Others are initiated by councils or regional boards that
may wish to discuss or request assistance on specific problems. When inspections
are undertaken, the visit provides an opportunity for Departmental staff and local
officials to discuss financial and administrative situations that are directly related
to the municipality concerned. Whenever possible, general administrative procedures can be reviewed and recommended; this practice leads to greater
consistency when by-laws and other data are submitted to the Department with
requests for registration or approval.
As the annual edition of Municipal Statistics is an important source of information to investment houses, financial institutions, and others, distribution of the
publication is made as early in the year as possible; Municipal Statistics includes
some 36 different schedules. Prior to publication, the financial and statistical
returns of the municipalities and regions are closely edited to ensure conformity
and adherence to statutory and other requirements.
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities held its convention at Penticton, and senior members of the staff attended to provide an opportunity for those
interested to discuss local problems. Kelowna was chosen as the site for the
annual conference of the Municipal Officers' Association of British Columbia and,
as at similar meetings, Departmental staff participated in the program. Senior
members of the staff participated as resource personnel in a number of other
seminars sponsored by the University of British Columbia and the Union of British
Columbia Municipalities.
The annual shield award presented by the Minister of Municipal Affairs as an
incentive to increase turn-out at municipal elections open to all municipalities in
three categories was received by the following for the year 1974:
Per Cent
Cities and towns—Nanaimo 57.5
District municipalities—Peachland 55.1
Village municipalities—Harrison Hot Springs 72.2
Second-place municipalities were Merritt (cities and towns) with 57.4 per
cent, Salmon Arm (district municipalities) with 48.8 per cent, Fraser Lake (village
municipalities) with 69.1 per cent.
BUILDING CODE
The new 1975 edition of the National Building Code, with the exception of
Parts 2 and 7, was made effective in British Columbia. The next edition will be
published in 1977 and every two years thereafter, with the intention of eliminating
amendments between publications.
Section 719a of the Municipal Act was amended to permit changes affecting
the code to be made by Orders in Council and to remove the provision under which
amendments or revisions to the National Building Code were automatically in
force. One Order in Council amending the Buildings Regulations and the British
Columbia Plumbing Code was approved.
The Building Code Appeal Board has been active with the receipt and processing of 72 appeals regarding the interpretation and application of the code and
29 requests for approval of alternate plumbing materials by the Chairman. Two
resumes of appeals and board decisions were distributed to all municipalities and
regional districts during the year.
Y 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA
As the result of a meeting in Ottawa of representatives from all provinces and
from National Research Council of Canada, a Provincial Advisory Committee on
the National Building Code was formed. A senior staff member attended and is a
member of this committee. The main function of the committee is to serve as a
forum for exchange of views on the National Building Code and a mechanism for
co-ordinated input from provincial authorities to the Associate Committee. Meetings have since been held in Calgary and Winnipeg. Proposed amendments to the
National Building Code have been submitted to the committee by British Columbia
and studies have commenced on establishing a materials evaluation authority. A
subcommittee was formed to study and recommend changes to the administration
part of the code for use on a national basis. Our Department staff member is also
a member of this subcommittee.
Talks on the Building Code were given by a staff member at the Building
Inspectors Conference in Richmond and at the Mechanical Contractors Association
Convention in Vancouver. The CBOAC Conference in Calgary was also attended.
METRIC CONVERSION
Metric conversion is continuing to progress with conversion started in many
areas this year. Two circular letters on this subject were distributed with additional
information material. This included lists of target dates, sector committees, conversion tables, pamphlets, and progress reports. Talks on metric conversion were
given by a Departmental staff member at the Public Works convention in Dawson
Creek, Malaspina College, Victoria City Hall, and to the GVRD Technical Planning Committee in Vancouver.
Within the Department, a preliminary investigation of the effects of metric
conversion has been completed and cost estimates have been made. Legislation
applicable to this Department has been reviewed and all measurement sensitive
clauses have been listed for possible amendment.
MUNICIPAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLE LICENSING PROGRAM
A total of 134 municipalities participated in the Municipal Commercial Vehicle Licensing Program during the 1974/75 licence-year. Sales of vehicle-plates
under this program, which is administered by the Department on behalf of the
municipalities, generated $958,239 in revenue during the year. After payment of
incidental expenses, these funds were distributed to participants on a per capita
basis. The municipalities issued 78,864 licence-plates and 92,607 exempt plates
during the year under review.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING
The major restructurings of Kamloops, Kelowna, Castlegar-Kinnaird, Prince
George, and Nanaimo have been described in previous annual reports. The experiences of these communities have generally been favourable and a number of
Provincially assisted transition programs remain in effect.
AMALGAMATION
Other groups of communities have expressed interest in the possibility of
restructuring. These include the North Cowichan-Duncan area, the Chilliwack
area, and the western portion of the Capital Regional District. The Department
will be responsive to further developments in these areas.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
SEWERAGE FACILITIES ASSISTANCE ACT
Y 11
The Sewerage Facilities Assistance Act, enacted at the last session of the
Legislature, this year provided assistance totalling $7,453,997.74 to 82 municipalities in the Province. Twenty-two cities received grants totalling $1,164,671.82;
twenty-three districts received $5,700,674.31; eight towns received $199,193.71;
twenty-nine villages obtained grants totalling $353,787.38; and three regional districts qualified for a total of $35,670.52. The total 1975 disbursements under the
Act exceeded last year's total of $5,613,727 by almost 33 per cent.
SPECIAL COURSES
During 1975 the Board of Examiners, on which the Department is represented, granted 20 certificates of proficiency. The following table shows the classifications of these certificates, together with the total number which have been
issued:
Certificates
Junior
Senior Administration
Senior Finance
Property Appraisal
Totals
1975
To Date
4
100
7
121
4
118
5
76
20
415
Thirty-one persons employed in the municipal field enrolled in courses offered
by the Chartered Institute of Secretaries for the 1975/76 academic year. In addition to the professional degree "A.C.I.S." (Associate of the Chartered Institute of
Secretaries), which may be granted to a graduate of the course, application may
be made for a certificate of proficiency in municipal administration or finance,
depending upon experience and office held.
The Certified General Accountants' Association (C.G.A.) has at the present
time over 60 students enrolled who are employed in the local government field.
They may upon completion of their studies also make application for a certificate
of proficiency in municipal administration or finance.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
During the year, seminars sponsored by the University of British Columbia,
the Municipal Officers' Association of British Columbia, and the Municipal Finance
Officers of the United States and Canada, on the subjects of Municipal Administration and Management Development, were attended by a number of senior members
of the Department.
In co-operation with the Municipal Officers' Association, the Union of British
Columbia Municipalities, and the Ministry of State for Urban Affairs, the Department is represented on the Municipal Administration Education Council. The
purpose of the Council is to make a study of existing courses for the education of
municipal administrators in the Province, and to recommend measures which may
be necessary to improve or supplement existing courses.
Y 12 BRITISH COLUMBIA
LEGISLATION
Most of the amendments made to the Municipal Act during the 1975 Session
of the Legislature were of a technical nature. However, some amendments are
worthy of note.
Tax sharing—Provision was made whereby the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may provide for the sharing of tax revenue derived from designated real property
located in one municipality with other municipalities. This would permit the
sharing of the assessment on, for example, an industrial plant where more than one
municipality accommodated the employees.
Indemnification of employees—This amendment enables councils by general
by-law to provide for indemnification of its officers and employees against any
claim or damages arising out of the performance of their duties. The amendment
also stipulates that the council cannot seek indemnity against such official or
employee unless he has been grossly negligent or has acted contrary to the terms
and conditions of his employment or an order given to him by a person in authority
over him. This parallels the provisions of many municipal union contracts. Formerly the council could only provide for indemnification after the cause arose.
Mill rate and debt limitations—Because municipal assessments were frozen at
previous years' levels, a provision was made in the Act whereby, with the approval
of the Inspector of Municipalities, the limitations set out in sections 206 and 249
may be exceeded with the approval of the Inspector of Municipalities.
Municipal commercial motor-vehicle exempt permits—The requirement that
commercial vehicles not engaged in business require an exempt plate to demonstrate their exemption from the requirement to hold a municipal motor-vehicle
licence was included in the 1975 amendments. The effective date of this amendment is January 1, 1976.
Building Code—Section 719 (a) of the Act was re-enacted to enable the
Province to conveniently adopt changes in the National Building Code of Canada.
Natural Gas Revenue Sharing Act—This Act made provision for the municipalities to share in any increase in Provincial natural gas revenue stemming from
an increase in the export price of natural gas. For the year 1975 the minimum
amount to be provided was set at $20 million.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 13
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
NEW INCORPORATIONS AND CHANGES IN STRUCTURE
The Minister directed that a poll be taken under the provisions of section 10
of the Municipal Act in the Port Clements area. The vote was held on December
13, 1975, and the result of the poll was 60 per cent in favour of incorporation.
Letters Patent were issued incorporating the new Village of Port Clements on
December 31, 1975, and the dissolution of the Port Clements Improvement District as the whole of the improvement district, together with additional land, was
included in the area incorporated.
Following a recommendation of the Minister of Municipal Affairs to the
Lieutenant-Governor in Council pursuant to section 20 of the Municipal Act, the
status of the Town of Fort St. John was changed to a city. Letters Patent dated
June 19, 1975, were issued with July 1, 1975, the effective date of the change of
status to the City of Fort St. John.
MUNICIPAL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOUNDARY
REVISIONS
Supplementary Letters Patent authorizing extensions in boundaries for 23
municipalities and 12 improvement districts were issued during the year. The
municipalities affected, together with the resulting adjustments in areas and changes
in population, are indicated in Table 1. A local census is taken in the extended
area and added to the original population established under the 1971 census in
order to arrive at the new municipal population after extension.
BY-LAW APPROVALS
All village by-laws must be submitted to the Department for registration in
the office of the Inspector of Municipalities. In addition, many by-laws for all
classes of municipalities require approval from certain Governmental agencies
before adoption can proceed or become effective. Included in this category are
by-laws which establish consumer or user charges for water and sewer services.
Such by-laws, together with supporting background material, are fully reviewed
before any suggestions or recommendations are made and before being advanced
to the approving authority. While many of the initial submissions may be found
satisfactory, others require the exchange of considerable correspondence. A total
of 972 by-laws was examined and subsequently registered, including 732 village
by-laws, 30 regional district by-laws, and 59 improvement district by-laws.
For a variety of purposes, 743 Minutes of Council were prepared and subsequently approved by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council—85 authorized the
abandonment and vesting of portions of highway; 101 approved municipal rates
by-laws for water, sewer, and electric power; 41 authorized appointment of members of municipal Boards of Variance; 366 were for regional district purposes, of
which 207 approved subdivision and zoning by-laws and four authorized appointment of members to Regional Boards of Variance; and the balance of 150 met
other legislative requirements.
Section 231 (1) of the Municipal Act requiring town municipalities to register
their by-laws in the office of the Inspector of Municipalities was repealed in the
Y 14
BRITISH COLUMBIA
spring session of the Legislature. During the period January 1, 1975, to June 25,
1975, 149 town by-laws were examined and registered.
In addition, 91 rezoning by-laws applicable to land in the flood-plain area of
the Lower Mainland were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Minister
under section 187 of the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act. Fifteen
building by-laws from various regional districts were also reviewed and recommended for approval by the Minister pursuant to section 79 8d.
DEBENTURE APPROVALS
Certification by the Inspector of Municipalities of debenture issues of municipalities and regional districts may be completed on request. Before such certification can be completed, certificates of approval to the by-laws or resolutions are
issued authorizing the issuance of debentures. A total of 342 certificates of
approval to the by-laws or resolutions was issued authorizing the issuance of
debentures. A total of 279 certificates of approval was issued in 1974. In 1975,
debenture issues were processed with a total par value of $108,075,341 through
the Municipal Finance Authority and $8,007,000 on behalf of individual municipalities and regional districts. More information on debenture approval and
related capital expenditure matters may be found under "Financial Management."
Table 1—Municipal Boundary Revisions, 1975
Municipality
Area (Acres)
Before
Added
After
Population
Before
Added
After
Courtenay...
Cranbrook..
Nelson
Trail _
Cities
Districts
Campbell River.
Towns
Comox..
Golden..
Quesnel..
Burns Lake..
Clinton
Elkford
Fort Nelson
Fort St. James..
Fraser Lake
Villages
Fraser Lake (second)..
Lumby
Montrose
Osoyoos _.
Parksville
Port Edward
Pouce Coupe
Taylor.
Taylor (second)..
Telkwa
Vanderhoof
1,999.56
3,081.52
2,034.90
2,794.00
33,049.26
1,644.81
1,372.00
3,763.78
,700.70
225.35
559.94
,185.60
,009.00
810.00
893.54
992.59
217.00
648.11
,671.91
,985.60
202.78
,889.74
,704.14
748.00
,054.78
20.00
84.04
11.50
311.72
6.00
10.80
820.77
156.00
403.00
12.14
331.00
131.65
339.20
83.54
0.50
245.95
35.30
97.39
36.39
856.40
46.23
814.40
489.81
188.72
1,209.85
2,019.56
3,165.56
2,046.40
3,105.72
33,055.26
1,655.61
2,192.77
3,919.78
2,103.70
237.49
890.94
2,317.25
1,348.20
893.54
894.04
1,238.54
252.30
745.50
1,708.30
3,842.00
249.01
2,704.14
3,193.95
936.72
2,264.63
7,184
12,000
9,409
11,149
10,000
4,056
3,010
6,442
1,330
905
665
2,317
1,483
1,292
1,292
940
1,137
1,693
2,169
1,019
634
605
651
712
1,653
Nil
5
17
7
2Vi7
Nil
142
jVjI
Nil
Nil
Nil
12
85
Nil
2
6
16
157
Nil
Nil
70
46
Nil
Nil
13
7,184
12,005
9,426
11,156
10,000
4,056
3,152
6,442
1,300
905
665
2,329
1,568
1,292
1,294
946
1,153
1,850
2,169
1,019
704
651
651
712
1,666
Source of base population figures is the 1971 census.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 15
REGIONAL DISTRICT ACTIVITIES
Regional government in British Columbia has, since its inception in 1965,
been reviewed and discussed in previous annual reports and is now recognized in
our Province and elsewhere as an important contributor to the local government
system.
As in the past, further expansion of local government services was undertaken
by regional districts.
Some 51 new functions were granted the 28 regional districts in 1975; Table 2
summarizes those assigned, while Table 3 sets out all functions undertaken to date.
For services required by the greater community, the regional approach has
provided an acceptable solution. Provision of sewage disposal, garbage disposal,
and ambulance facilities are particularly appropriate to this concept, and such
functions as joint computer operations, fire protection, transit, and construction
equipment-pools could conceivably be handled for the greater community by
regional districts. Services can be provided by regional districts to municipal and
nonmunicipal areas, either directly or by contract.
Supplementary Letters Patent were issued in several instances for purposes
other than to authorize the granting of functions. Revision of the internal and
external boundaries is continuing and amendments have been made to cost-sharing
formulas and other changes in corporate structure.
Specified Areas
Thirty-four specified areas were established by by-law in 1975; of these areas
seven were established by petition method, and 28 after the property-owners voted
favourably on the proposal. In addition, amendments in boundaries to nine specified areas already established were completed. Table 4 summarizes the specified
areas established and altered in 1975. Before regional government was introduced,
community services administered locally in nonmunicipal areas were provided
through the incorporation of improvement districts, either under the Water Act
as administered by the Water Rights Branch of the Department of Lands, Forests,
and Water Resources, or under the Municipal Act. In some other instances, local
areas were established under the Local Services Act. The latter two Acts, it should
be noted, are administered by this Department. New local service needs in non-
municipal areas, with the exception of water, irrigation, and dykes, are almost all
provided and financed through the facilities of regional districts.
Many of the specified areas have been established adjacent to municipal
boundaries. As the demand for further services develops, the trend will be toward
the incorporation of these areas within present municipal boundaries. Those specified areas in more isolated situations will probably retain their nonmunicipal status.
Table 2—Functions Assigned to Regional Districts During 1975 (Unless Otherwise
Indicated, All Member Areas of the Regional District Participate in This
Function)
Capital—
Community Parks (Colwood, Langford,
Metchosin, View Royal, Sooke, Salt-
spring Island, Outer Gulf Islands).
Community Recreational Programs.
Cariboo—
House Numbering (electoral areas only).
Central Coast—
Refuse Disposal (Electoral Areas C and D).
Central Fraser Valley—
Mosquito Control.
Central Okanagan—
Weed Control (Kelowna, Peachland, Electoral Area A, and defined portions of
Electoral Areas G, H, and I).
Columbia-Shuswap—
Dog Control (Electoral Areas A, B, D, and
E).
Y 16
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Comox-Strathcona—
Removal of Soil (Electoral Areas A, D, E,
and J).
Community Services (Campbell River and
Electoral Area E).
Cowichan Valley—
Refuse Disposal (Duncan and Electoral
Areas D and E).
Removal and Deposit of Soil (Electoral
Areas A and I).
Protection of Waterways and Control of
Drainage (Electoral Areas A and I).
Dewdney-Alouette—
Fireworks and Firearms Regulation (Electoral Areas B, C, D, and E).
Garbage Disposal (Electoral Areas B, C,
D, and E).
East Kootenay—
Subregional Airports (Fernie, Invermere,
Sparwood, Elkford, and Electoral Areas
A, F, and G).
Ice Arena and Sports Facility (Invermere
and defined portions of Electoral Areas
F and G).
Fraser-Cheam—
Firearms Regulation (electoral areas only).
Mosquito Control (District of Chilliwhack,
City of Chilliwack, Kent, and Electoral
Areas C, E, and F).
Sewage Treatment and Disposal (Hope and
defined portions of Electoral Areas B,
and C).
Fraser-Fort George—
Recreational Programs.
Elderly Citizen's Housing (Electoral Areas
A, C,D, and F).
Greater Vancouver—
Soil Removal Regulation (Electoral Areas
B and C).
Kitimat-Stikine—
Ski Hill (Terrace, Kitimat, and defined
portion of Electoral Area C).
Ice Arena (Hazelton and defined portion
of Electoral Area B).
Marina Operation and Development (Kitimat, Terrace, and Electoral Area C).
Kootenay-Boundary—
Addition to Health Centre (Electoral Areas
A and B).
Personal and Intermediate Care Home
(Rossland, Trail, Warfield, Montrose,
Fruitvale, and Electoral Areas A and B).
Elderly Citizen's Housing (Rossland, Fruitvale, Montrose, and Electoral Area H).
Mount Waddington.—
Emergency Programs.
North Okanagan—
Street Lighting (all electoral areas).
Community Recycling Grant (Vernon,
Coldstream, /Armstrong, Spallumcheen,
and Electoral Areas A, B, and C).
Septic-tank Effluent Disposal (Vernon,
Coldstream, and Electoral Areas A, B,
and C).
Okanagan-Similkameen—
Septic-tank Effluent Disposal (electoral
areas only).
Senior Citizen's Apartments and Recreational Facilities (Electoral Areas D, E,
and F).
Firearms Regulation (all electoral areas).
Recreational Programs.
Cemetery Operation (Osoyoos and Electoral Area A).
Flood Control (Electoral Areas B and G).
Weed Control (Princeton and Electoral
Areas D and H).
Cemetery Operation, Community Parks,
and Addition to Swimming-pool (Oliver
and Electoral Area C).
Peace River-Liard—
Joint Community Use of School Facilities
(electoral areas only).
Powell River—
Public Library Service (Electoral Areas A,
B, C, and D).
Squamish-Lillooet.—■
Recreational Programs (Pemberton and
Electoral Areas A, B, C, and E).
Joint Community Use of School Facilities
(electoral areas only).
Refuse Disposal (Lillooet, Pemberton, and
all electoral areas).
Sunshine Coast—
Regional Parks and Recreational Programs
(Sechelt and all electoral areas).
Thompson-Nicola—
Television Rebroadcasting (Electoral Areas
C and D).
Control of Noxious Weeds (electoral areas
only).
Recreational Programs.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 17
Table 3—Regional District Functions as of December 31,1975
c
>.
d
§
rt
-o
a
C
00
P
P3
>>
ri
-o
rt
o
8
ri
rt
id
o
05
d
rt
CO
1
o
a
3
rt
■5
rt
O
M
r4
^
SC
fc
O
Activity Centre..
Ambulance
Airport Facilities
Air Pollution
Bus Transit
Cemetery Operation
Community Health Services._.
Community Parks
Community Recreational Pro-
grams.
Community Recycling Grant.
Community Services
Control of Gatherings
Dog Control-
Elderly Citizen's Housing .
Emergency Programs—
Firearms
Fireworks
Flood Control
Health Regulation and Centre
Home Nursing
House Numbering
Intermediate Care Home
Joint Community Use of
School Facilities
Labour Negotiations
Land Assembly, Housing, and
Land Banking
Library Study
Marina Operation and Development _
Noise
Nuisance Control ._
Okanagan Basin Water Board
Operation of Wharves
Park and Green Belt Land
Acquisition
Pest Control _
Public Library Service
Public Use Area Lighting
Recreational Facilities—
Recreation Programs
Refuse Disposal
Regional Parks
Septic-tank Effluent Disposal-
Sewage Treatment and Disposal.—
Sewers -
Soil Fill Regulation..
Soil Removal
Street Lighting.
Subregional Airports
Television Rebroadcasting _
Theatre _
Untidy and Unsightly Premises
Urban Renewal
Water -
Weed Control
X
P
P
X P
I I
PI |P|P
|P
P|P
P
IP
x
pip
p|p
p
|p
p
p
p'jp
x
p|p
p
p|p
lx
PIP
X
p
X—indicates function. P—indicates application of function in part of regional district only.
The functions of Regional Planning, Community Planning, Building Inspection, Contract Services, Local
Works and Services, and Grants-in-Aid are assigned by statute to all regional districts.
Y 18
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Table 4—Regional District Specified Service Areas Established During 1975
Capital—
Fire Protection and Recreational Facilities
(Willis Point).
Activity Centre (North Pender Island).
Activity Centre (South Pender Island).
Cariboo—■
Garbage Collection and Disposal (108 Mile
House).
Sewage Collection and Sewage Disposal
(Lac la Hache).
Airstrip (Anahim Lake).
Central Kootenay—
Street Lighting (Edgewood).
Fire Protection (Creston area).
Central Okanagan—
Fire Protection (Killiney Beach).
Columbia-Shuswap—
Refuse Disposal (Electoral Area B).
Fire Protection (Electoral Area B).
Recreational Programs and Facilities (Electoral Area B).
Comox-Strathcona—
Water (Service Area 4).
Fire Protection (Black Creek, Oyster Bay).
Water Service (Black Creek, Oyster Bay).
Cowichan Valley—
Sewer (Eagle Heights,
(Koksilah).
East Kootenay—
Street Lighting (Wilmer).
Allen by Road,
Fraser-Cheam—
Fire-fighting Equipment (Boston Bar and
vicinity).
Street Lighting (Green Subdivision).
Fire Protection (Kawkawa Lake and vicinity).
Fraser-Fort George—
Fire Protection (Pineview).
Sewage Collection and Treatment (Salmon
Valley).
Street Lighting (Salmon Valley).
Water System (Salmon Valley).
Greater Vancouver—
Garbage Services (Bowen Island).
Kitimat-Stikine—
Community Centre (Thornhill).
Dykes (Alice Arm).
Kootenay Boundary—
Refuse Disposal (Electoral Area E).
North Okanagan—
Fire Protection (Okanagan Landing).
Okanagan-Similkameen—
Recreation Centre (Area E 4).
Peace River-Liard—
Outdoor Rink (Clearview).
Squamish-Lillooet—
Community Use of School Facilities (Alta
Lake).
Fire Protection (Bralorne).
Sunshine Coast—
Health Centre (Pender Harbour District).
Amendments to Established Specified Service Areas Passed During 1975
Nanaimo—
Water (Madrona Point) and extension of
boundaries.
Fire Protection (French Creek) and extension of boundaries.
Cariboo—
Fire Protection (100 Mile House) and
extension of boundaries.
Central Okanagan—
Street Lighting (Westbank) and extension
of boundaries.
Comox-Strathcona—
Water (Lake Trail and Powerhouse Road)
and extension of boundaries.
Waterworks (Little River) and extension of
boundaries.
Cowichan Valley—
Recreation (Saltair) and extension of
boundaries.
Powell River—
Fire Protection (Powell River) and extension of boundaries.
Sunshine Coast—
Fire Protection (West Howe Sound) and
extension of boundaries.
Re Dissolution of Improvement Districts and Establishment of the Former Improvement
Districts as Specified Service Areas
Comox-Strathcona—
Waterworks (Little River).
Water Supply and Distribution (Arden).
Waterworks (Headquarters Road).
Fraser-Fort George—
Waterworks (Blackburn).
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975 Y 19
Table 4A—By-laws Registered
{a) Towns 149
(b) Villages 732
(c) Improvement districts 59
(d) Regional districts 30
(e) Resort Municipality of Whistler 2
Total by-laws registered—
1975 972
1974 832
Orders in Council—
Grand total—
1975 743
1974 570
Municipal
(a) Highway abandonment 85
(b) Water rates 59
(c) Sewer rates 40
(d) Electrical rates 2
O) Board of Variance 41
(/) Boundary extensions 25
(g) Miscellaneous (municipal) 73
(h) Miscellaneous (improvement districts) 32
(i) Miscellaneous (water districts) 2
(/) Loan authorization 18
Total 377
Regional Districts
(a) Subdivision 1
(b) Zoning 206
(c) Board of Variance 4
(d) Miscellaneous 118
(e) Land use contract 37
Total 366
By-laws Approved by the Minister
(a) Flood plain (s. 187, Municipalities Enabling and Validating
Act) 91
(b) Building (s. 798d, Municipal Act) 15
Total 106
Y 20
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Improvement Districts (Breakdown)
Dissolutions as a result of reincorporation of Nanaimo and Prince George.
Western Acres Improvement District.
Arden Improvement District.
Nechako Improvement District (two).
Parkridge Heights Improvement District.
Starlane Improvement District.
Departure Bay Waterworks District.
Departure Bay Fire Protection District.
Northfield Fire Protection District.
Petroglyph Waterworks District.
Harewood Improvement District.
North Wellington Waterworks District.
Airport Hill Improvement District.
Clear Acres Improvement District.
Lafreniere Waterworks District.
Little River Improvement District.
Charella Gardens Waterworks District.
College Heights Improvement District.
Blackburn Improvement District.
Boundary Extensions
Langford Fire Protection District.
Courtenay Fire Protection District.
Colwood Fire Protection District (two).
Pender Harbour Fire Protection District.
Sechelt Fire Protection District.
Campbell River Protection District.
Westbank Fire Protection District.
Atlin Improvement District.
Sooke Fire Protection District.
Metchosin Fire Protection District.
Nechako Improvement District.
Area Reduction
Grand Forks Rural Fire Protection District.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 21
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
ASSESSMENT AND TAX COLLECTION
The major single revenue source for municipalities in British Columbia continues to be the real property tax. The growth in assessed values of real property
and revenue from taxation of these properties over the past 10 years is illustrated
in the following table. It will be noted that revenue from this source of taxation
in 1974 totalled $548,805,015. Of this total, $287,486,981 represented taxation
for general municipal purposes, and $261,318,034 represented taxation for school
purposes.
Table 5—Growth in Combined Assessed Values and Taxes in Municipalities of
British Columbia
Year
Gross Assessed Values
Assessed Values Actually
Taxed
Tax
Revenue
All
Properties
Taxable
Properties
School
Municipal
1964
(Millions)
$
4,188
7,6201
10,0762
8,2921
11,6772
8,8691
12,8552
11,1561
15,6082
11,9871
16,5722
(Millions)
$
3,534
6,4561
6,8172
7,0421
7,9502
7,5391
9,0232
9,2911
10,8682
10,0071
11,4472
(Millions)
$
2,878
5,279
5,753
6,171
7,653
8,206
(MilUons)
$
2,295
6,632
7,744
8,612
10,414
11,021
(Thousands)
$
154,074
1071
349,845
1972 '
390,368
1973. _
1974 .
444,994
548,805
1975
680,0003
l School values. 2 Municipal values. 3 Estimated.
The following table (Table 6) provides a further analysis of the assessed
value of real property and indicates the distribution of 1975 assessed values by
class of municipality, with the percentage increase over 1974 shown in parentheses.
Table 6—Assessed Values by Class of Municipalities
General Municipal Gross
Assessed Values
Assessed Values Actually
Taxed
All
Properties
Taxable
Properties
School
Municipal
Cities
Districts
Towns —
(Millions)
$ (%)
3,728 (12.80)
6,492 ( 5.37)
238 (—5.92)
317 (10.84)
(Millions)
$ (%)
2,462 (10.75)
4,511 ( 5.35)
150 (—6.25)
200 ( 9.89)
(Millions)
$ (%)
2,237 (15.43)
3,555 ( 5.30)
184 (—3.66)
251 (12.56)
6,227 ( 8.71)
1,980 ( 2.86)
(Millions)
$ (%)
2,353 (14.78)
4,300 ( 4.80)
143 (—5.92)
192 (10.34)
Subtotals
10,775 ( 7.70)
5,798 ( 3.48)
7,323 ( 6.95)
4,124 ( 2.56)
6,988 ( 7.86)
4,033 ( 2.49)
Totals
16,573 ( 6.18)
11,447 ( 5.33)
8,207 ( 7.24)
11,021 ( 5.83)
As a result of the continuing rapid growth in the urban communities, it is
anticipated that proceeds from real property taxation for school and general
municipal purposes in 1975 will reach $680 million. This would represent an
increase of approximately 95 per cent over the revenue of five years ago. The total
Y 22
BRITISH COLUMBIA
assessed values actually taxed for school purposes in the Province in 1975
amounted to $10,305,455,195, an increase of approximately $386 million over
1974. Of this amount, $8,205,725,733, or approximately 71 per cent, represented assessed values in the city, district, town, and village municipalities.
Tax Collection
The tax collection picture in municipalities is considered to be the primary
indicator, not only of the efficiency of the administration, but also of the ability of
the taxpayer to meet the municipal tax levy promptly. In the year under review,
tax collections have shown a slight decrease over the collections of 1973, but
continue to maintain a very high level. During the period, collection in cities,
districts, and villages exceeded 96 per cent of the levy, and towns collected in
excess of 95 per cent. We have established a practice of communicating with any
municipality where the arrears of taxes are in excess of 10 per cent of the current
levy, in an effort to determine the cause and what steps may be taken to improve
the position.
The collection of current taxes in British Columbia continues to be the highest
among the provinces in Canada publishing statistics of a comparable nature, while
the percentage of arrears is the lowest. Economic factors may have contributed
substantially to the favourable position indicated in the property taxation field;
however, municipal treasurers and collectors are to be congratulated for their
continued efforts in maintaining this high rate of tax collection.
Chart 1, to be found at the back of this Report, shows the percentage of tax
collection for the period 1963 to 1974, inclusive, and Tables 7 and 8 reveal further
information relative to tax collection by class of municipality for the years shown.
Table 7—Percentage Tax Collections
Percentage of
Current Levy
Collected
Total Collections
as a Percentage
of Current Levy
Outstanding Taxes
as a Percentage
of Current Levy
Cities (Except Vancouver)
1010
81.10
96.61
96.65
96.82
99.46
96.79
97.05
97.36
96.71
91.00
96.36
95.67
96.11
95.80
96.29
96.20
97.03
96.15
77.60
96.69
97.00
96.85
96.37
96.80
96.88
97.51
96.62
99.10
100.30
100.20
100.32
99.69
100.41
100.62
100.69
99.38
103.10
100.15
98.87
99.96
99.12
100.17
99.79
100.82
98.68
95.80
100.17
100.29
100.08
99.48
100.54
100.39
100.82
98.88
1
40.16
1067
4.57
1968. .....
1969
4.44
4.15
1"70
4.64
1071
4.34
107?
3.88
1973 ...
3.39
1974
3.95
Vancouver
1939
30.06
1967 -
5.04
1968 . -
5.75
1969 -
5.22
1970
5.87
1971
5.28
1972 _ -
5.19
1973
3.51
1974
4.78
Districts
1939 .
34.81
1967. . - - _
4.22
1968
3.90
1969
1970...
1«7'
3.95
4.54
4.15
1972 ..
3.96
1973
3.21
1974 -
4.03
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 23
Table 7—Percentage Tax Collections—Continued
Percentage of
Current Levy
Collected
Total Collections
as a Percentage
of Current Levy
Outstanding Taxes
as a Percentage
of Current Levy
Towns
1958 _
1967 ....
1968
1969
1970 ....
1971
89.55
93.21
93.98
93.45
93.56
94.59
96.25
96.75
95.44
76.50
95.64
95.45
95.70
94.85
96.08
97.11
97.02
95.94
97.06
99.75
100.20
99.46
99.36
101.03
102.05
100.69
98.78
98.30
100.07
99.97
100.27
100.72
101.21
101.01
100.41
98.85
13.62
9.84
9.06
9.08
9.35
7.96
197?
5.37
1973
1974 _ -
4.48
5.65
Villages
1939
38.71
19*7
6.16
19S»
6.15
1969 ..
1970
1971
6.39
7.00
5.53
107?
4.09
1973
3.95
1974 _
4.96
Table 8—Collections, 1974 (With Comparative Figures for 1973)
Percentage of
Current Taxes
Collected
Arrears as a
Percentage of
Adjusted Levy
1974
96.71
96.62
95.44
95.94
1973
97.36
97.56
96.75
97.02
1974 1973
3.95 3.39
4.03 | 3.21
Towns
5.65 | 4.48
4.96 3.95
Totals
96.59 | 97.41
96.15 | 97.03
4.08
4.78
3.34
4.03
9649 1 97.3?
4.25
3.51
It is interesting to note that, notwithstanding the fact that property taxes are
increasing, the level of tax collections remains high. The percentage of arrears is
increasing, reflecting the fact that some taxpayers would rather use the money for
other investments.
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT AND GENERAL MUNICIPAL ASSESSMENT
It should be noted that the difference between the school assessment and the
general municipal assessment is the result of a number of municipalities using a
dual roll, i.e., general assessments are based on 100 per cent of market value, while
the school assessments are on 50 per cent of value.
This dual roll had the following effect in 1974:
School assessment
Less landlord and tenant, machinery and equipment
General municipal assessment
Less adjusted school assessment
Millions
$
7,653
1,025
~6,628
10,413
6,628
3,785
Y 24 BRITISH COLUMBIA
The figure of $3,785 million represents in part the effect of the dual roll on
the general assessment. This roll is in effect in the following municipalities: Penticton, Vancouver, Burnaby, Peachland, Summerland, West Vancouver, Kamloops,
City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, City of Langley.
The balance of the difference is represented by B.C. Hydro values included in
the school assessment roll, but not included in the general assessment roll. The
Provincial total for B.C. Hydro is $667 million, but no breakdown is available at
this time of the amount applicable to the incorporated areas.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
The 1974 audited financial statements indicate that British Columbia municipalities continued to maintain a favourable financial position. Gross revenues from
all sources during 1974 exceeded $830 million, which represents an increase of
$100 million over the previous year.
The major revenue sources, with comparative figures for 1973, were as
follows:
1974
(Millions)
$
General municipal taxation 288
School taxation 261
Transfers from other governments ____ 119
Revenue from own sources 162
830 730 100
1973
(Millions)
$
238
Increase
(Millions)
$
50
207
54
149
136
(30)i
26
iThe decrease recorded here is attributable to the assumption of welfare costs directly by the Provincial
Government.
The home-owner grant payments increased by $5 million in 1974 to a total
of $82 million. When this is offset against the school tax levy of $261 million, a
balance of $179 million remains of this levy to be borne by the property-owner.
The major expenditure items incurred during 1974, with comparative figures
for 1973, were:
1974 1973 Increase
(MilUons) (MilUons) (Millions)
$
General government 44
Fire protection 38
Administration of justice 51
Public works 57
Sanitation and waste removal 27
Social welfare 65
Education 262
Debt charges 53
Capital expenditure from revenue 59
Other1 174
830 730 100
$
37
$
7
32
6
48
3
46
11
23
4
103
208
(38)
54
48
5
50
9
135
39
1 Includes recreation, public health, environment development, utilities, and contributions to reserves and
other funds.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 25
Table 9—Trends in Financial Aspects of Municipal Government Compared to
Population and Income Expressed as Indexes
Year
Population
Total Revenue
(Excluding
Utilities)
Building Debenture
Permits Debt
Maximum
Values
Taxable
Total B.C.
Personal
Income
1961
1962
100.00
104.91
107.20
110.71
114.63
116.65
122.44
127.14
133.02
138.35
136.55
143.60
153.30
160.06
100.00
110.76
113.31
121.60
138.66
156.62
180.90
207.52
234.38
266.95
306.45
337.75
390.48
446.36
100.00
114.24
130.47
173.67
203.57
206.83
252.27
269.74
316.20
291.26
384.97
414.34
602.31
614.20
100.00
100.72
107.20
109.60
114.30
125.04
127.48
127.46
130.62
132.10
137.00
145.75
100.00
100.03
111.03
114.32
122.02
131.68
145.10
156.88
174.83
192.06
209.69
252.93
100.00
109.19
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
116.85
127.27
142.22
160.41
178.09
1968
194.37
1969
1970
1971
1972.
221.58
239.33
270.56
303.03
1973 -
1974 ....
157.18
175.76
286.97
345.80
353.18
412.32
RESERVES AND SURPLUSES
The total statutory reserves and operating reserves and surpluses held in all
accounts of the municipalities was $219,283,024. This represents 36.41 per cent
of the total revenue, excluding school taxes, of the municipalities. Of this total,
$158,951,804 is held in liquid form or in investments authorized by statute, and
a portion of the surplus is represented in arrears of taxes and other receivables.
Statutory reserve funds of various municipalities have again shown an increase
over the previous year. At the end of 1974 these funds, held for a variety of
purposes, amounted to $75,944,092, an increase of $15,389,505 over the previous
year, after giving effect to the fact that approximately $18 million was expended on
capital works from reserve funds during the year 1974. Over the last seven years
the amount held in these reserve funds has increased from $33 million to the
current figure of $76 million, an increase of 130 per cent.
The following table provides an analysis of these reserves and surpluses by
class of municipality:
Reserves and Surpluses,
1974
Reserves
Surpluses
Total
Total
Revenue1
$
43,536,992
66,264,119
1,168,158
1,226,730
887,612
$
14,883,492
28,762,383
1,918,038
2,315,419
3,064,173
$
58,420,484
95,026,502
3,086,196
3,542,149
3,951,785
Per Cent
35 74
38 64
41.77
10.91
113,083,611
50,582,831
50,943,505
4,673,077
164,027,116
55,255,908
34 48
43.68
Totals
163,666,442
55,616,582
219,283,024
36 41
1 Excluding school taxation.
CAPITAL PROGRAMS
The value of capital projects undertaken during 1974 by municipalities
amounted to $360 million. Of this total program, $295 million was completed
during the fiscal year, leaving a balance of works in progress of $165 million at
Y 26
BRITISH COLUMBIA
year-end. In the total capital program, municipalities were able to provide $66
million out of current general revenue and utility revenue funds, $18 million from
reserve funds, and approximately $17 million was obtained from grants-in-aid from
the Provincial and Federal Governments. The balance of the amount expended was
financed by debenture loans, temporary bank loans, and other methods of financing.
The activity in this area over the past five years is indicated in Table 10 following:
Table 10—Capital Programs, 1974
Projects
Undertaken
Works
Completed
Works in
Progress
Source of Funds
Year
Revenue
Reserve
Funds
Grants
1970
118
166
215
338
360
(Millions)
$
96
153
200
273
295
(Millions)
$
22
13
15
65
165
(Millions)
$
33
37
43
57
66
(Millions)
$
8
10
14
20
18
(Millions)
$
3
1971
7
1972
6
1973
1974
10
17
Five-year Capital Expenditure Programs Summary
The programs submitted by municipalities and regional districts during 1975
and covering the five-year period ending 1979 continued to provide meaningful
information and guidance, not only to the local government bodies involved but also
to the Department, other levels and departments of government, and various financial institutions. Departmental review of each of these submissions and the offering
of constructive criticism, where necessary, has achieved maximum consistency in
the format of these programs and has proved beneficial to all concerned.
A summary of the Capital Expenditure Programs by year is provided in Table
11. Included in the "General" heading under "Classification of Expenditures" are
all capital expenditures for roads, sidewalks, public buildings, recreational facilities,
land, and other capital projects not related to either water or sewerage systems.
As in the past, municipal councils are attempting to finance a large portion of their
capital works out of current revenue and reserves, although the availability of
Federal-Provincial loans and the infusion of capital funds via specific-purpose
grants have had a direct effect on this policy.
Table 11—Five-year Capital Expenditure Programs Summary by Year
for all Municipalities (Including Vancouver)
classification of expenditures
Year
Water
Sewer
General Total
1975
$
32,354,332
25,881,439
17,795 190
17,190,830
12,758 574
$
71,583,539
40,947,913
28,845,700
16,487,183
9,752,900
$
232,544,872
175,090,458
163,649,120
133,091,135
112,658,789
$
336,482,743
241,919,810
210,290,010
1976...
1977..
1978- ...
166,769,148
1979 -
135,170,263
Totals _.
105,950,365 | 167,617,235
!
817,034,374
1,090,631,974
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 27
Table 11—Five-year Capital Expenditure Programs Summary by Year
for all Municipalities (Including Vancouver)—Continued
proposed source of funds
Year
General
Revenue
Grants
Reserve
Funds
Prior Years'
Surplus
Debenture
Sales
Total
1975 „-.
1976
$
66,717,613
59,490,988
56,531,686
53,954,060
46,003,330
$
24,747,991
15,173,953
15,522,473
6,027,194
7,665,395
$
41,387,971
19,674,294
19,680,517
18,981,172
14,115,753
$
2,514,322
525,800
446,700
363,200
373,500
$
201,114,846
147,054,775
118,108,634
87,443,522
67,012,285
$
336,482,743
241,919,810
1977 _..
210,290,010
1978
166,769,148
1979
135,170,263
Totals
282,697,677
69,137,006
113,839,707
4,223,522
620,734,062
1,090,631,974
BORROWING
During 1975, councils and regional boards continued to meet a substantial
demand for municipal services, and 201 term-borrowing by-laws were approved by
the Inspector of Municipalities and subsequently adopted by the local governing
body that provided the service.
A greater portion of this authorized borrowing consisted of financing for
sewers, waterworks, and civic buildings. Funds for parks and road improvements
also constituted a substantial portion.
Borrowing of $122,684,314, as summarized in Table 12, is $17,449,846 more
than was authorized in 1974; the increase is attributable to the fact that more
money is being spent on water and sewer projects. Completion of the various
projects authorized will be phased over a number of years, and the demand for
funds will follow the pace of construction. Included in the authorized borrowing
is $4,105,453 in short-term loans which, under the Municipal Act, are subject to a
per capita limitation.
The Inspector of Municipalities is not required to approve the borrowing of
the City of Vancouver or the Metropolitan Water and Sewer Boards. Such borrowing is therefore not included in Table 12.
Preliminary borrowing of an estimated amount of $8,460,000 was approved
for local improvement works. A number of municipalities have established special
improvement funds to finance local works; these have not been included in the
figure for preliminary borrowing approval.
Table 12—Borrowing Authorization, 1975
Purpose
Regional
Districts
Cities
Districts
Towns
Villages
Total
$
860,000
15,389,650
1,939,694
2,895,600
$
7,422,164
24,459,660
2,733,000
5,703,750
1,644,271
4,913,525
428,082
$
3,972,820
13,376,090
4,036,981
4,193,500
3,202,000
8,883,327
$
$
2,443,000
11,870,500
113,000
508,800
25,000
338,600
73,300
$
14,697,984
65,813,900
718,000
8,822,675
-
13,301,650
4,871,271
Consolidated local improvements ..
365,000
14,500,452
Equipment (including fire protec-
175,000
676,382
Totals
21,259,944
47,304,452
37,664,718
1,083,000
15,372,200
122,684,314
Y 28
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Debentures
Details of debenture issues and other securities that have been approved in
principle at the time of adoption of loan authorization by-laws are specified in
security-issuing by-laws; 176 security-issuing by-laws authorizing the issue of debentures and other terms of indebtedness in the total amount of $108,213,737 were
approved.
In 1975, no municipal debenture issues were guaranteed by the Province under
the Municipal Assistance Act. Details of the issues guaranteed as at December 31,
1975, are shown below in Table 13.
Table 13—Outstanding Debentures Guaranteed, 1975
ViUage
Municipalities
Assistance Act
Municipalities
Assistance Act
Total
$
156,000
81,000
121,500
119,500
$
8,520,036
7,878,786
560,500
3,319,478
$
8,676,036
7,959,786
Towns - . .
682,000
Villages _
3,438,978
Subtotals
478,000
20,278,800
8,435,000
423,000
30,000
1,182,000
15,208,000
20,756,800
8,435,000
423,000
30,000
1,182,000
15,208,000
Totals
478,000 45,556,800
1
46,034,800
In addition to the totals shown in Table 13 of $46,034,800 as debenture debts
guaranteed by the Province, a total amount at the end of the year of $21,878,000
was guaranteed under the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Act.
Total debenture debt as at December 31, 1974, of all municipalities, including
the City of Vancouver, is shown in Table 14 following. The debenture debt of the
Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District and the Greater Vancouver
Water District is not included.
Table 14—Total Debenture Debt, December 31, 1974
Sold
Unissued
and Unsold
Total
$
95,483,719
164,104,394
11,204,015
13,067,514
21,114,894
$
44,630,597
120,236,465
8,146,444
11,371,666
44,587,876
$
140,114,316
284,340,859
19,350,459
24,439,180
65,702,770
304,974,536
170,148,353
228,973,048
533,947,584
170,148,353
Vancouver
Totals
475.122.889 I 228.973.048
704,095,937
Debenture sales for all municipalities amounted to $78,249,826 for the year
1974. This resulted in an increase of $50,879,428 to the total outstanding debenture debt of all municipalities for 1974, after giving effect to the retirement of
debentures maturing during the year.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975 Y 29
The percentage of current revenue expended to service debenture debt (excluding utilities) increased in districts and towns, and decreased in cities, villages, and
the City of Vancouver. These figures for 1974 are shown following, with the 1973
figures in parentheses:
Per Cent
Cities 5.59 (6.07)
Vancouver 7.56 (7.61)
Districts 6.55 (6.53)
Towns 8.61 (8.14)
Villages 6.54 (6.99)
The debenture debt of utilities is serviced almost entirely by revenues derived
by consumer charges and frontage taxes.
Y 30 BRITISH COLUMBIA
PLANNING SERVICES DIVISION
ROLE AND STRUCTURE
The Planning Services Division is responsible for supporting and advancing
the community and regional process as it relates to local government as well as to
Provincial planning and responsibilities. This role is part of the larger responsibility
of the Department of Municipal Affairs to serve as the key link between the
Government of British Columbia and the municipalities and regional districts
throughout the Province.
The Division's over-all program consists of the following major functions:
(1) Co-ordinating Provincial policies and programs as they affect urban
and rural areas.
(2) Investigating the need for Provincial policies respecting urban
settlement patterns.
(3) Identifying the implications of local planning issues for Provincial
interests.
(4) Assisting regional districts and municipalities in meeting special
planning needs, including the establishment of local planning
programs.
(5) Maintaining a continuing review of the planning and development
tools provided for under the Municipal Act and companion
legislation.
To meet these responsibilities, the Division is organized into three main
program streams:
(1) Urban Plans Co-ordination, which includes liaison and co-ordination
activities related to the two major metropolitan areas of the Province as well as other key urban centres.
(2) Regional Plans Co-ordination, which encompasses liaison and
co-ordination activities related to the regional districts and municipalities outside the Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria areas.
(3) Policy and Program Planning, which covers policy studies, interdepartmental liaison and co-ordination, and related research, data
collection, and mapping services.
The Division's staff complement in 1975 remained the same as in 1974 and
consisted of the Executive Director, eight professional planning co-ordinators, six
technical planning assistants, two secretaries, and a temporary research officer.
URBAN PLANS CO-ORDINATION
A major staff activity under this program in 1975 was a key part of a larger
Provincial staff review of the "Livable Region Proposals" report of the Greater
Vancouver Regional District. This review was conducted by the Technical Committee to the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Committee of
Cabinet. The review was an examination of the regional district's report for Provincial policies and programs and formed the basis of a recommended Cabinet
position paper respecting the planning proposals. Planning Services staff performed the leg work in preparing and co-ordinating background material for the
Technical Committee's report and participated in drafting the Committee's final
submission to Cabinet.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975 Y 31
The Federal Government's railway relocation program, initiated in 1974,
resulted in a number of British Columbia municipalities advancing study proposals
for Provincial consideration during 1975. The Department of Municipal Affairs is
the Provincial lead agency for liaison with such location projects and Planning
Services staff have been the contact group within the Department.
A rail relocation study is going forward in the City of Kamloops and, although
there is no Provincial financial participation in the study, Planning Services staff
will represent the Province on a tri-level advisory committee in a watching-brief
role. Also, during 1975, preliminary terms of reference were prepared by staff,
together with the Department of Transport and Communications, for a feasibility
study of rail relocation alternatives for the City of White Rock's waterfront. If
approved, this study would proceed under the Federal railway relocation program.
During the past year, staff began an investigation into the potential reuse of
the Lower Mainland Correctional Centre (Oakalla) as an assignment from the
Environment and Land Use Committee of Cabinet. Assistance in this study has
been provided by the Department of Public Works and the Corrections Branch of
the Attorney-General's Department.
Community plans and development control by-laws for several unincorporated
areas of Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria, such as Bowen Island, North
Pender Island, and Sooke, were initiated by regional districts in 1975, and our staff
continued a plans review program to assess the implications of these planning
documents for Provincial programs. As a related activity, a staff representative,
together with other staff members of the Department, served on a technical advisory
committee concerned with the Local Government Restructure Study of the Capital
Regional District's western community sector.
REGIONAL PLANS CO-ORDINATION
Efforts were continued during 1975 to facilitate and advance the process of
planning at the regional district and municipal government level throughout the
Province. These efforts were directed in part at identifying the implications of local
planning proposals for Provincial objectives as early as possible in the process of
formulating plans and by-laws. The intent is to avoid identifying significant conflicts between Provincial and local planning objectives only after a local planning
document has been submitted for final Provincial approval.
Efforts were also made to demonstrate that the Provincial role in reviewing
and approving plans and by-laws is not to second-guess local planners but to
(1) ensure there are no significant conflicts with Provincial objectives, (2) suggest
improvements to wording and format, and (3) ensure that local policies and regulations are compatible with Provincial legislation.
During the year the Division attempted to clarify the type of planning role
expected of regional districts by the Province. A related concern has been the
function of Technical Planning Committees, and staff on a number of occasions
sought to define more clearly the role and operating procedures of these committees
and their relationship with the Regional Resource Management Committees at the
Provincial level. The main thrust has been to emphasize the urban settlement planning role of regional districts as compared to the resource development planning
responsibilities of the Provincial Government. It is recognized that the integration
of these two planning roles is necessary to produce publicly supportable as well as
economically and socially viable regional development programs. However, given
the jurisdictional separation between resource and settlement planning responsibilities, the integration of these roles will be facilitated where each government body
Y 32 BRITISH COLUMBIA
has prepared a full statement of its objectives and proposals which then enables a
process of intergovernmental resolution to be implemented.
As part of the Division's role in identifying the impact of Provincial development programs on urban settlements and in assisting communities to anticipate
and plan for this impact, staff continued with the community planning program for
the Village of Burns Lake initiated in 1974 in response to the planned construction
of a major sawmill. During 1975, Planning Services staff completed a community
plan, together with zoning and subdivision by-laws, for Burns Lake and assisted in
co-ordinating a housing development program for the village.
The Division also continued to advise both the Squamish-Lillooet Regional
District and the Environment and Land Use Committee of Cabinet on the planning
and development needs of the Whistler Mountain area. Following public meetings
and the submission of briefs on a proposed development concept for the area, staff
prepared a draft official community plan, together with zoning and subdivision
control by-laws, for the consideration and adoption by the Council of the Resort
Municipality of Whistler. The municipality was incorporated on September 6,
1975, as a response to the need to provide local government administration in the
area, particularly with respect to land use planning matters. Planning Services staff
also worked with the Lands Service Branch on plans for a community sewer system
and town centre for the municipality.
Assistance was provided to several regional districts in establishing and
expanding planning programs. The planning program for the Regional District of
Columbia-Shuswap, initiated in 1974, was strengthened during 1975 with the help
of Planning Services staff by the addition of a Planning Director. Staff assisted the
Regional District of Mount Waddington to set up a mapping program and to hire a
planning technician to maintain this program. Staff continued to provide Squamish-
Lillooet Regional District with planning assistance through most of the year, but,
with the Division's encouragement, the district embarked on its own planning program and engaged a planning technician to organize a mapping and by-law administration function.
Staff assistance also continued on community planning projects begun in 1974,
including an updated community plan for the Village of Fraser Lake, an official
community plan and zoning by-law for the Village of Lillooet, and general planning
studies for the towns of Golden and Creston. As well, extensive basic mapping
coverage for many of these communities was completed by the Division's staff of
planning assistants.
POLICY AND PROGRAM PLANNING
A review of the Department's policy approach toward advancing the planning
process in the Province was initiated during 1975. The basic planning grant program for regional districts was continued on a basis of 20 cents per capita, with a
minimum grant of $7,000 and a maximum of $33,000. Revisions were begun to
the incentive grant program related to regional plans which were initiated in 1974.
The objective in revising this program is to establish an approach by which regional
districts are encouraged to establish and expand planning programs on a continuing
basis with a range of criteria used to evaluate the progress achieved in advancing
these programs. As an example, one criterion could be the extent to which regional
district planning offices assist local municipalities in resolving land use planning
issues. This incentive grant program was still under review at the end of 1975.
The subject of rural settlement patterns throughout the Province and appropriate Provincial regional district policies to deal with it emerged as an important
issue during 1975. Planning Services staff participated in a series of interdepart-
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975 Y 33
mental sessions aimed at establishing a co-ordinated Provincial position on rural
settlement planning. The Division also undertook to examine this subject in some
depth, including compiling an inventory of vacant rural lots in the key developing
regions of the Province.
With respect to the Division's concern for interdepartmental co-ordination,
close liaison was maintained with staff of the Islands Trust during 1975 as this
agency began its first full year of operation. Assistance was given in attempting to
simplify as much as possible the planning process involving the Trust, the regional
districts, the Planning Services Division, and the various citizens advisory groups
on the islands.
Liaison with the B.C. Land Commission was also continued. At the request
of the Commission, Planning Services staff investigated the regional district's costs
of administering the appeals for exclusion from agricultural and land reserve designations. Following this investigation, a staff recommendation for Provincial
funding assistance in meeting these costs was submitted to the Commission and the
Minister of Municipal Affairs.
The interdepartmental committee on subdivision regulations and procedures,
which is chaired by staff of the Division, commended a review and update of the
Provincial publication Subdivision Approval Procedure, 1971 during the year.
This same committee also initiated an updating of the 1970 Provincial Subdivision
Regulations booklet.
Planning Services staff participated on a number of other interdepartmental
committees responsible for the review and co-ordination of a variety of land use
and planning matters. These committees included, in addition to the Technical
Committee to the T.H.U.D. Committee of Cabinet and the subdivision committee,
the Technical Committee to the Environment and Land Use Committee of Cabinet,
the Advisory Committee on the Recreational Land Green Belt Encouragement
Act, the Outdoor Recreation Co-ordinating Committee, the Victoria International
Airport Planning Review Committee, and a committee on mortgage lending
policies for unsewered housing.
Preliminary investigations into the need for revised legislation respecting
municipal fees and land use contracts were carried out in conjunction with the
Department's research group. Other research activities of the Division during 1975
included an examination of the growth rates of regional districts and municipalities.
The Division's staff of planning technicians spent considerable effort throughout 1975 in helping devise a new standard map referencing system for the Province.
The program of establishing a new Provincial mapping system was initiated by the
Surveys and Mapping Branch of the Department of Lands, Forests, and Water
Resources, and Planning Services staff played a key role in producing the final map
referencing system which is intended to be used by all map-users in British Columbia, including municipalities and regional districts.
The Division's planning technicians group also continued the function of
preparing detailed legal boundary descriptions in both written and map form
respecting the extension or adjustment of municipal, specified area, improvement
district, and electoral area boundaries. Both professional and technical staff,
together with other Departmental representatives, assisted the recently expanded
cities of Kelowna and Kamloops in determining those areas in which the Province
would be responsible for road maintenance services.
Staff of the Division participated in a number of public and professional
seminar sessions throughout 1975 on a wide range of planning matters. These
sessions included a community planning workshop in Courtenay, a planning seminar sponsored by the Islands Trust, a UBCM seminar for newly elected officials,
Y 34
BRITISH COLUMBIA
and a workshop on municipalities' development approval process sponsored by the
Greater Vancouver Regional District. Division staff participated in a discussion
session to review the curriculum and future prospects of the planning technicians
course offered by Selkirk Community College.
In April 1975 the Division's Executive Director hosted a two-day meeting of
the other nine Provincial Planning Directors in Victoria. This is an annual event
that provides an opportunity to exchange ideas and information respecting provincial planning legislation, funding programs, policy approaches, and, in general, the
problems facing provincial planning offices.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975 Y 35
TRANSIT SERVICES DIVISION
SUMMARY
In 1975 the expansion of bus services in Greater Vancouver continued. A
network of Fastbus and Localbus routes was inaugurated throughout Surrey, Delta,
and White Rock and a new crosstown service along 49th Avenue launched in Vancouver. In the Capital Region, a new Fastbus route was started in Victoria and
suburban services previously provided by commercial operators assumed and
expanded southeast of Victoria and along the Saanich Peninsula. Modifications
were made to other services, including Town and Country buses serving the Lower
Fraser Valley. Five small city systems joined the Provincial program and three
other cities voted to join. Delivery of new buses and trolley-buses ordered in 1974
continued, 68 used buses were purchased, and 105 new buses were ordered for
delivery in 1976. A temporary bus storage and servicing facility was opened in
Surrey. Construction commenced on the vessels and terminals of the Burrard
Inlet Ferries. Planning of Light Rapid Transit lines in Vancouver and Victoria
continued and a light rail vehicle was purchased for demonstration in 1976. A
study of commuter rail service between Vancouver and Port Coquitlam was undertaken and four used diesel-powered passenger cars were purchased.
THE GREATER VANCOUVER TRANSIT SYSTEM
During 1975, bus services were introduced throughout the built-up areas of
Surrey, Delta, and White Rock, including a population of approximately 200,000,
and greatly expanding the number of destinations served by the transit system.
Skeletal services previously offered in the area by Pacific Stage Lines were largely
withdrawn and the drivers and vehicles reassigned to expanded Town and Country
Bus services along the north and south banks of the Fraser River as far to the east
as Hope. The expansion added 100 buses to B.C. Hydro suburban lines. The
existing B.C. Hydro zonal fare structure was extended to cover the area, with adult
fares ranging from 25 cents for local trips to $1 for the longest trips taken during
rush hours. The amount of local and commuting to Vancouver usage is also
growing.
A new crosstown bus route was initiated along 49th Avenue from UBC to
Nelson and Kingsway in Burnaby. Minor changes were made in a number of
other Greater Vancouver routes to improve service quality, to adjust to changing
traffic circumstances, or for other purposes.
CAPITAL REGION TRANSIT SYSTEM
A new Fastbus linking "Douglas Corridor" communities in Victoria and
Saanich and downtown Victoria and the Legislative Precinct was inaugurated late
in the year, together with some other service modifications along the Saanich Peninsula and to the southwestern suburban towns of Colwood, Langford, Metchosin,
and Sooke.
TRANSIT IN SMALLER CITIES
Under the Rapid Transit Subsidy Act (1972) and the Transit Services Act
(1974), British Columbia communities arrange for subsidization of local transit
services with the Provincial Government. The municipality bears 50 per cent of
the operating deficit (expenses for wages, fuel, and materials not covered by fare
Y 36 BRITISH COLUMBIA
revenue) up to a limit of 2 mills of the property tax. The Province bears the
remainder of the operating deficit and 100 per cent of the capital costs (vehicles
and vehicle support faciities). Five cities had joined this program during 1973/74:
Kitimat, Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, and West Vancouver. Subsidy payments
commenced to five new participants during 1975: Kamloops, Kelowna, Port
Alberni, Prince George, and Prince Rupert. By the end of the year, residents of
three additional cities had voted to join the program: Maple Ridge, Penticton, and
Trail.
NEW TRANSIT VEHICLES—BUSES AND TROLLEY-BUSES
Buses required by operations in providing services under the Provincial program are generally acquired and assigned, usually on a lease basis, by the Transit
Services Division. Although operations of B.C. Hydro in the Lower Mainland and
Victoria do not fall under subsidy contract, all additions to the B.C. Hydro transit
fleet since 1973 have been purchased by the Division and leased to Hydro.
During 1975, one new diesel coach and 67 used buses were purchased and
received; 105 diesel buses were ordered for 1976 delivery; delivery commenced of
50 diesel and 50 electric buses ordered in 1974; and 53 used Calgary trolley-buses
were purchased at scrap values and placed in storage for possible rebuilding or for
spare parts.
As of November 30, 1975, the fleet of buses used in the Provincial program
numbered 1,233 units, of which 424 had been purchased and received by the
Transit Services Division in the period 1972-75. Approximately 200 additional
buses are on order. B.C. Hydro has purchased the Dominion Bridge property on
Boundary Road, Burnaby, where existing buildings can be converted into a consolidated major maintenance facility for Greater Vancouver.
BURRARD INLET RAPID TRANSIT FERRY
Construction was started in 1975 of the ferry system designed to provide a
rapid, convenient connection between the foot of Granville Street in downtown
Vancouver and the foot of Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver. A management
contract was continued for the design, supervision, and organization of the entire
project, including construction of the vessels, terminals, and interfaces, and manning of the vessel and support facilities. Contracts were let for the construction of
two 400-passenger double-ended catamaran ferries and for construction of the
first phases of the shore facilities. Engineering and traffic studies and property
acquisition have been undertaken.
TRANSIT IN THE URBAN PLANNING PROCESS
A number of surveys of bus usage were done in 1975, especially during the
summer when student help was available. As part of the over-all planning for
improved transit in the Capital Region, data were collected on local travel pattern.
Bus passenger surveys were made in Kelowna, Kamloops, and Nanaimo. Passenger counts and timing checks were performed at four transit focal points.
TRANSIT LEGISLATION
There were no additions to the British Columbia transit legislation in 1975.
The Provincial transit programs operated under the Transit Services Act, the Provincial Transit Fund Act, and the Provincial Rapid Transit Act for the years
1972-75 are itemized below by system.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Table 15—Subsidy Payments, 1973-75
Y 37
Public Transit Authority
1972
(9 Months)
1973
Calendar
Year
1974
Calendar
Year
1975
Estimated!
$
$
$
$
100,000
80,000
67,734
170,292
23,221
22,921
80,000
10,000
Nanaimo—
Nelson
60,667
17,049
25,456
118,336
17,330
230,000
50,000
10,0001
14,638
50,000
30,000
25,000
82,266
20,000
Trail
8,0002
West Vancouver
174,473
148,507
250,000
Totals
185,447
324,777
432,655
945,000
1 Note that the Act provides payment of 50 per cent of the actual deficit in the previous year. Thus,
calendar year 1975 deficits are included in the 1976/77 budget estimates.
2 Transit Enabling By-law approved in November 1975 referendum,
TOWN AND COUNTRY BUS SERVICES
Town and Country Bus services are those of a highway motor coach nature.
The coaches run between the principal towns of a region, provide a linkage between
the major city of a region and its surrounding towns, and offer public transport
services between regions. They also offer local service in the fringes of metropolitan areas when other public transportation is not offered.
In 1975 the Town and Country Bus network run by Pacific Stage Lines (PSL)
on the Lower Mainland underwent major change. In Surrey, Delta, and White
Rock, most PSL services were removed when Fastbus and Localbus routes were
inaugurated. In turn, additional trips were added to Town and Country routes
east of the Greater Vancouver Region and several new feeder services were instituted, including Chilliwack-Yarrow-Abbotsford and Harrison-Agassiz-Chilliwack.
Y 38
BRITISH COLUMBIA
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REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
PERCENTAGE TAX COLLECTIONS
CHART 1
LEGEND
Y 39
-Cities
= Districts
■ Towns
Villages
Vancouver
%
PERCENTAGE OF CURRENT LEVY COLLECTED
97
»6
-^T^
s.
""J**"--^.
><^
?-
£••••*"
■■■•
••...
'
.•"'
".
i«
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"••••••
,•"
JH
0
1
%
15
OUTSTANDING TAXES AS A PERCENTAGE OF CURRENT LEVY
\
'"■'
••.._
:
\
N
>
\
\
5
hSr*%
..•• v>
•v.
S
/
"N*
\ -
v •.
.•"
\
S
1)
1964 65 66 67
69 70
72 73 1974
Y 40
BRITISH COLUMBIA
TRENDS IN FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
COMPARED TO POPULATION AND INCOME
CHART 2
LEGEND
rt^^^rt^. Population in millions
Total revenue in millions of dollars
=Building permits in millions of dollars
Debenture debt in millions of dollars
' Maximum values taxable in
hundreds of millions of dollars
Personal income in hundreds
of millions of dollars
1000
900
800
700
600
500
1964 65 66 67 66
70 71 72 73 1974
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 41
MUNICIPAL REVENUES
BY MAJOR SOURCE 1974
CITIES (EXCLUDING VANCOUVER)
CHART 3
UTILITIES'"
LICENSES AND OTHER
OTHER PROVINCIAL GRANTS
PROVINCIAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
GENERAL MUNICIPAL TAXATION12'
PROVIDED BY PROVINCIAL
HOME-OWNER GRANT
SCHOOL TAXATION
%OF REVENUE
100%
1.44 (2.04)
19.96 (19.53)
.71 ( .98)
5.76 (9.67)
8.25 (8.66)
32.50 (30.43)
9.76 (10.21K
31.38 (28.69)
$ PER CAPITA
$429.66 (392.71)
$ 6.19 (8.00)
85.74 (76.70)
3-05 ( 3.84)
24.75 (37.96)
34.00 (32.00)
139.65 (119.52)
134.85 (112.66)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL REVENUE-$213,200,298 TOTAL POPULATION 496,208
DISTRICTS
LICENSES AND OTHER
OTHER PROVINCIAL GRANTS
PROVINCIAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
GENERAL MUNICIPAL TAXATION12)
PROVIDED BY PROVINCIAL
HOME-OWNER GRANT
SCHOOL TAXATION
IO. REVENUE
100%
13.89 (15.04)
.59 ( .26)
6.26 ( 7.28)
8.70 ( 8.95)
37.11 (36.14)
11.63 (13.17)
33.45 (32.33)
S PER CAPITA
$440.42 (360.51)
S61.15 (54.22)
2.60 ( .94)
27.58 (26.25)
34.00 (32.00)
163.40 (130.29)
147.34(116.53)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL REVENUE-$351958,625 TOTAL POPULATION-799,145
NOTE:- (1) Utitities represents amount appropriated from utility operations for General Municipal Purposes, is not Major
Source of Revenue for Districts, Towns, Villages and Vancouver, included in 'Licenses and Other" for 1971 and 1972.
(2) General Municipal Taxation includes Ad Valorem Tax, Business Tax, Sewer and Water Frontage Tax and Special
Assessments.
Y 42
BRITISH COLUMBIA
MUNICIPAL REVENUE
BY MAJOR SOURCE 1974
TOWNS
CHART 3
LICENSES AND OTHER
OTHER PROVINCIAL GRANTS
PROVINCIAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
GENERAL MUNICIPAL TAXATION0'
PROVIDED BY PROVINCIAL
HOME-OWNER GRANT
SCHOOL TAXATION
% OF REVENUE
100%
$ PER CAPITA
$387.03 (333.51)
19.57 (19.46)
2.53 ( 1.11)
4.21 ( 7.49)
9.58 9.63
31.77 (29.38)
11.96 (12.79)
32.34 (32.93)
$75.75(64.90)
9.78 ( 3.71)
16.32 (24.99)
34.00 32.00
122.95 (97.97)
125.16(109.83)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL REVENUE-$19,692,180 TOTAL POPULATION-50,880
VILLAGES
LICENSES AND OTHER
OTHER PROVINCIAL GRANTS
PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
GENERAL MUNICIPAL TAXATION"'
PROVIDED BY PROVINCIAL
HOME-OWNER GRANT
SCHOOL TAXATION
'/, OR REVENUE
!S!2
$ PER CAPITA
$341.95 (26671)'
22.70 (24.74)
4.76 ( 2.16)
11.91 (12.33)
26.66 (26.21)
12.80 (13.89)
33.97 (34.56)
77.62 (66.48)
16.28 ( 5.81)
34.00 (32.00)
91.14 (70.42)
116.17 (92.86)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL REVENUE-$21,516,677 TOTAL POPULATION-62,923
NOTE:- (1) General Municipal Taxation includes Ad Valorem Tax, Business Tax, Sewer and Water Frontage Tax and Special
Assessments,
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
Y 43
MUNICIPAL REVENUE
BY MAJOR SOURCE 1974
VANCOUVER
CHART 3
LICENSES AND OTHER
OTHER PROVINCIAL GRANTS
IPROVINCIAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROVINCIAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT
GENERAL MUNICIPAL TAXATION11'
PROVIDED BY PROVINCIAL
HOME-OWNER GRANT
SCHOOL TAXATION
% OF REVENUE
100%
$ PER CAPITA
S474.70 (474.41)
21.83 (17.82)
.78 ( .35)
1.73 (1785)
7.16 ( 6.75)
37.37 (33.13)
J.
7.55 (7.55)^
31.13 (24.10)
$103.62(84.57)
3.72 ( 1.64)
8.15 (84.70)
34.00 (32,00)
177.40(157.16)
147.74 (114.74)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL REVENUE-$202,345,567 TOTAL POPULATION-426,256
NOTE:- (1) General Municipal Taxation includes Ad Valorem Tax, Business Tax, Sewer and Water Frontage Tax and Special
Assessments.
REVENUE SHOWN FOR ALL CLASSES OF MUNICIPALITIES INCLUDING VANCOUVER DOES NOT INCLUDE
APPROPRIATION OF PRIOR YEARS SURPLUS.
Y 44
BRITISH COLUMBIA
REVENUE EXPENDITURES
BY
MAJOR
FUNCTION 1974
CITIES
EXCLUDING VANCOUVER
CHART 4
% OF EXPENDITURE
100%
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
FIRE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
OTHER PROTECTION
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
SOCIAL WELFARE
EDUCATION
DEBT CHARGES (NET)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FROM REVENUE
OTHER
6.06 ( 5.80)
4.76 ( 4.36)
( 6.59)
5.91
1.01
8.44
4.55
( .98)
( 7.42)
( 3.91)
9.13 (13.10)
31.57 (28.55)
5.59 ( 6.07)
6.39 ( 7.39)
16.59 (15.83)
$ PER CAPITA
$427.54 (393.98)
$25.91 (22.84)
20.37 (17.20)
25.25 (25.96)
4.33 ( 3.86)
36.07 (29.23)
19.46 (15.41)
39.02 (51.60)
134.99 (112.49)
23.90 (23.91)
27.33 (29.11)
70.92 (62.37)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES-S212 150,970 TOTAL POPULATION - 496,208
DISTRICTS
% OF EXPENDITURE
100%
$ PER CAPITA
$433.41 (359.16)
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
FIRE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
OTHER PROTECTION
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
SOCIAL WELFARE
EDUCATION
DEBT CHARGES (NET)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FROM REVENUE
OTHER
5.71 ( 5.85)
4.00 ( 3.96)
5.39 ( 5.93)
1.37 ( 1.43)
7.59 ( 7.52)
3.56 ( .42)
9.70 (11.21)
34.06 (32.50)
6.55 (6.53)
5.59 (6.60)
16.48 (18.05)
$24.75 (21.02)
17.36 (14.23)
23.37 (21.29)
5.94 ( 5.15)
32.88 (27.01)
15.45 ( 1.49)
42.02 (40.25)
147.60 (116.74)
28.39 (23.44)
24.23 (23.71)
71.41 (64.83)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES-$346,359 293 TOTAL POPULATION-799,145
NOTE:- Expenditures for Health included in 'Other'.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, 1975
REVENUE EXPENDITURES
BY MAJOR FUNCTION 1974
TOWNS
Y 45
CHART 4
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
FIRE
OTHER PROTECTECTIONS
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
SOCIAL WELFARE
EDUCATION
DEBT CHARGES (NET)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FROM REVENUE
OTHER
% OF EXPENDITURE
100%
$ PER CAPITA
$384.07 (326.50)
7.66
(7.80)
2.04 (1.81)
4.44 (1.07)
10.23 (9.10)
4.98 (4.43)
7.62 (11.66)
32.74 (33.72)
8.61 ( 8.141
7.28 ( 8.80)
14.40 (13.47)
$29.42 (25.47)
7.85 ( 5.90)
17.04 ( 3.50)
39.29 (29.71)
19.13 (14.46)
29.26 (38.08)
125.74 (110.10)
33.07 (26.57)
27.95 (28.72)
55.32 (43.99)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES-S19,541,513 TOTAL POPULATION - 50,880
VILLAGES
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
FIRE
OTHER PROTECTIONS
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
EDUCATION
DEBT CHARGES (NET)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FROM REVEN
OTHER
% OF EXPENDITURE
100%
$ PER CAPITA
$338.88 (273.31)
11.40 (11.08)
2.12 ( 2.27)
1 14 ( 88)
12.04 (11.43)
5.17 ( 5.17)
34.22 (34.04)
6.54 (6.99)
12.41 (12.74)
14.96 (15.39)
$38.60 (30.29)
7.18 ( 6.21)
3.86 (2.41)
40.77 (31.24)
17.50 (14.13)
115.89 (93.04)
22.17 (19.10)
42.02 (34.83)
50.69 (42.06)
y^/y/^M
I
«
9
W,
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES-$21,310,918 TOTAL POPULATION-62,923
NOTE - Expenditures for Health included in 'Other'.
Y 46
BRITISH COLUMBIA
REVENUE EXPENDITURES
BY MAJOR FUNCTION 1974
VANCOUVER
CHART 4
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
FIRE
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
OTHER PROTECTION
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
SOCIAL WELFARE
EDUCATION
DEBT CHARGES (NET)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FROM REVENUE
OTHER
°L OF EXPENDITURE
1007.
$ PER CAPITA
$ 471.03 (468.29)
3.73 ( 3.18)
6.67 ( 5.91)
9.79
1.40
4.19
2.64
5.13
( 9.31)
( 1.36)
( 3.63)
( 2.29)
(22.14)
31.66 (24.71)
7.56 ( 7.61)
10.79 ( 7.01)
16.44 (12.85)
17.57 ( 14.88)
31.43 ( 27.70)
46.13
6.58
19.75
12.43
24.14
( 43.58)
( 6.38)
( 17.01)
( 10.70)
(103.69)
149.13 (115.71)
35.59 ( 35.64)
50.83 ( 32.83)
77.45 ( 60.17)
1973 FIGURES SHOWN IN PARENTHESIS
TOTAL EXPENDITURES-$200,780,273 TOTAL POPULATION 426,256
NOTE'-Expenditures for Health included in 'Other!
Printed by K. M. MacDonald, Printer to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty
in right of the Province of British Columbia.
1976
1,530-676-8719
BC Sessional Papers
DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS REPORT for the YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 1975 British Columbia. Legislative Assembly 1976
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