Community Charter iterated a number of these sentiments: BC’s Under legislation prior to the Community Charter ‘Natural person’ powers. BC municipalities were corporate entities, meaning that their powers were subject to some limitations on the making of agreements and providing assistance. do away with itemized corporate ‘Natural person’ powers powers and increase the corporate capacity of the municipality in relation to already delegated powers. Under the Charter, Municipal councils may now provide Service powers. any service they consider necessary and bylaws are no longer required to establish or abolish services. Agreements. In terms of public-private partnerships, municipalities gain a simplified authority to grant an exclusive or limited franchise for transportation, water, or energy systems, and the requirement of provincial approval for agreements between a municipality and a public authority in another province is eliminated. Additional revenue sources. The Community Charter for ‘puts forward but does not yet commit the province to, a number of potential discussion’, municipal revenue sources outside of property taxes, including: fuel tax, resort tax, local entertainment tax, parking stall tax, hotel room revenue tax, and road tolls. [In the case of transportation Greater Vancouver’s authority, some of these tax powers had already been transferred – though provincial oversight continued.) In addition, the Community Charter went to some lengths to clarify relations by recognizing municipalities to and as ‘an order government’ promising: Consultation. The provincial government agrees to consult with the UBCM before changing local government enactments or reducing revenue transfers. No forced amalgamations. Amalgamations between two or more municipalities will not occur unless electors within the affected communities approve the merger. Reduction of provincial approvals. Under the Community Charter the number of routine provincial government approvals will be reduced. As well, the Community Charter allows the province to reduce approvals further over time through regulations. These commitments indicated that the Liberals wished to increase administrative flexibility and, as much as possible, free local authorities from time-consuming provincial
BC’s Community Charter iterated a number of these sentiments: ‘Natural person’ powers. Under legislation prior to the Community Charter BC municipalities were corporate entities, meaning that their powers were subject to some limitations on the making of agreements and providing assistance. ‘Natural person’ powers do away with itemized corporate powers and increase the corporate capacity of the municipality in relation to already delegated powers. Service powers. Under the Charter, Municipal councils may now provide any service they consider necessary and bylaws are no longer required to establish or abolish services. Agreements. In terms of public-private partnerships, municipalities gain a simplified authority to grant an exclusive or limited franchise for transportation, water, or energy systems, and the requirement of provincial approval for agreements between a municipality and a public authority in another province is eliminated. Additional revenue sources. The Community Charter ‘puts forward for discussion’, but does not yet commit the province to, a number of potential municipal revenue sources outside of property taxes, including: fuel tax, resort tax, local entertainment tax, parking stall tax, hotel room revenue tax, and road tolls. [In the case of Greater Vancouver’s transportation authority, some of these tax powers had already been transferred – though provincial oversight continued.) In addition, the Community Charter went to some lengths to clarify relations by recognizing municipalities as ‘an order to government’ and promising: Consultation. The provincial government agrees to consult with the UBCM before changing local government enactments or reducing revenue transfers. No forced amalgamations. Amalgamations between two or more municipalities will not occur unless electors within the affected communities approve the merger. Reduction of provincial approvals. Under the Community Charter the number of routine provincial government approvals will be reduced. As well, the Community Charter allows the province to reduce approvals further over time through regulations. These commitments indicated that the Liberals wished to increase administrative flexibility and, as much as possible, free local authorities from time-consuming provincial
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