By Barb Brouwer
Contributor
There are options, but leaving isn’t one of them.
This is the bottom line in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Electoral Area F Issues Identification Study now underway.
The regional district, with funding from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, has launched the study to better understand the questions and concerns North Shuswap residents may have about local services and the current system of local governance.
The basic purpose of the study is to determine what changes, if any, may be required to ensure that local services and/or local governance in Electoral Area F continue to meet the needs of its residents.
While Area F residents are being given opportunities to voice their concerns and opinions, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has made very clear that the intention of the study is not to consider incorporation, says Allan Neilson, consultant and principal of Neilson Strategies Inc., who is leading the independent study.
In terms of why the province is not agreeing to an incorporation study, Neilson said he thinks one of the reasons is that the process would require at least two studies prior to an incorporation study.
“The process is very pricey and the ultimate decision would be in place for 50 years or so,” he said.
Neilson speculated that another reason for the province’s hesitancy is that incorporation is most often considered when there is a compact community with a good-sized population and diverse tax base.
This was the case in the South Shuswap where the process went all the way to referendum and was ultimately turned down by the electorate.
Area F, however, has a population of 3,200 people in an area of 2,920 square kilometres strung out between Lee Creek and Seymour Arm. Ninety-seven percent of the population is residential, with only 1.7 per cent being business-related.
Neilson said that in terms of power accorded by legislation, there is a need for a clear understanding of who does what.
Regional districts such as CSRD are the local government for electoral areas that provide services based on the needs and instructions of their members, including: basic local government services to electoral areas; sub-regional services to different combinations of municipalities and electoral areas that choose to receive the services and region-wide services to all electoral areas and municipalities.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District board is comprised of seven electoral area directors and five municipal directors. Some decisions are voted on by the whole board, in which case, each director gets one vote.
Other issues such as the financial plan, borrowing or buying property are based on population, with directors getting one vote per 2,500 persons. Some service decisions are made by only those directors who represent areas that participate in that service.
The CSRD provides 37 services to Area F, including administration, development services, protective services, environmental services, community services, utilities and economic promotion. A list of what these service entail can be found online at CSRD.civilspace.i0.
Read more: CSRD asks for North Shuswap residents’ questions/concerns around services
Read more: Regional district, province to explore issues and concerns in the North Shuswap
Equally important is what the CSRD does not do.
Local and highway construction and road maintenance are a provincial responsibility. The regional district does not own the roads and has no authority to tow vehicles from roadways, patch potholes or clear snow.
The province also has responsibility for policing, subdivision approval, tax collection, health – including septic fields/systems, schools and provincial parks.
Buoys and the removal of non-compliant buoys is regulated by the federal government.
There are ways for residents of Area F to be involved and provide input on local services. Although most committees were on hold during the pandemic, the CSRD is working to resurrect the Area F Advisory Planning Commission and Parks Advisory Committee to provide opportunities for Area F residents to guide these two key local services. Appointments are made by the board.
Neilson is hopeful residents will participate in the Issues Identification Study.
A major part of the study is community engagement. Derailed by the 2023 wildfire season, the study is again underway. The independent consultants will be connecting with people in different parts of Area F through various community events.
Community Open Houses have been set for Saturday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Lakeview Centre in Anglemont, and at 2 p.m. at the North Shuswap Community Hall in Celista.
All permanent and seasonal residents are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to connect, learn about the services and governance in place and share their views. Residents are also encouraged to complete the online survey, and to review the public materials produced for the study.
An online survey is available until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 29. Options will be compiled and presented to the CSRD board win April.
For more information, to complete a survey, submit questions or register for updates, go online to Csrd.civilspace.io.