Thursday, 3 November 2011

Terrace and Kitselas First Nation Sign Agreements

By Terrace,

The Joint Venture and Revenue Sharing Agreements stem from a commitment from the April 19, 2007, Memorandum of Understanding between the parties and further develops the business relationship between the City and the Kitselas.  The agreements encompass approximately 900 hectares of Airport Lands including the Skeena Industrial Development Park and future Groundside Commercial lands at the Airport.
Objectives of the Agreements are to:
  • optimize return on investment;
  • foster the development of the regional economy;
  • attract new business investment to the Terrace area;
  • generate tax revenues; and
  • address the Parties needs for industrial lands.
The significant aspects of the Joint Venture Agreement include contributions, conduct of the venture and division of assets.
The Revenue Sharing Agreement is based upon the fairness principle of per capita sharing.  The revenue sharing formulae uses the latest Canadian Census Count as the basis for establishing each Parties respective share of the Annual Net Taxation Revenue.
While these agreements strengthen the relationship between the City of Terrace and the Kitselas First Nation, they also bring certainty for investors looking to the Skeena Region of Northwest British Columbia.  The City of Terrace and the Kitselas First Nation have uniquely fostered and developed what may become a model for other Local Government and First Nations communities to emulate.
See here for full story.

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

BC Municipal Elections: The Case for Regulation

Candidate for a municipal election is putting up "re-elect" signs in attempts to tap into incumbent support. However, the candidate is not an incumbent. Anything goes in municipal elections, see the full story here.

Metal theft law to protect public safety, infrastructure

BC Government introduces legislation to protect law abiding citizens and property. "Tracking scrap metal sales across B.C. will help to deter copper thieves, protect 911 emergency service, prevent theft-related power outages and save utilities, municipalities and taxpayers millions of dollars a year, under proposed legislation to be introduced today." See full story here.

Surrey Renews Call for Community Court

“Community courts deal with cases and people on an individual basis and is proven to reduce the revolving door of the justice system and help lead people away from a life of petty crime. If we address the root causes of these crimes we can better help people lead healthy, productive lives. The system is innovative, cost-effective and more efficient than the provincial court system.” Mayor Dianne Watts
See the full story here.

Province could override local pesticide rules, says committee chair

Province could override local pesticide rules, says committee chair

"The province actually could, if it chose to do so, stop local governments from dealing with what is supposed to be, I think, a provincial issue," 

Kootenay East MLA and recently appointed chair Bill Bennett told the special committee on cosmetic pesticide use last week. 

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

On-reserve Residents to Lose Municipal Vote: Representation with Taxation

According to a discussion paper published by the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee, people living on-reserve inside municipal boundaries are allowed to vote in municipal elections but don't pay an equal amount of taxes. The report states, "they are not subject to local government regulation and do not pay local government taxes resulting in representation without taxation." Read the full discussion paper here.

In other news it was reported here that the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee has had its funding cut.

BC Municipal Auditor

Premier made lots of headlines announcing a new Municipal Auditor General. The goal of the proposal is to help local governments with the stewardship of community assets, identify best practices, and transparency and accountability.

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Welcome

This blog is dedicated to BC Local Government News.