Highlights of the Year

Local Government

Libraries Without Walls: The World Within Your Reach

A strategic plan for public libraries in British Columbia, developed in consultation with key industry stakeholders and the public library community, was announced and funding committed. In the next three years $12 million will support implementation of three strategic directions: facilitation of equitable access to basic information; encouragement of collaboration and partnership to improve service delivery; and initiation of governance reform.

Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant Program

The Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing (TFRS) program provides an unconditional transfer to municipalities that pay a portion of local police costs to assist in crime prevention and community policing. In 2004/05 the TFRS program was expanded to return 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenues to municipalities, which increased the total payable amount within the 2004 municipal fiscal year to $41.8 million.

BC Community Water Improvement Program (BCCWIP)

The British Columbia Community Water Improvement Program, which will run from 2005 to the end of fiscal 2010, is a $120 million program designed to improve water management in B.C. communities. Types of projects include, but are not limited to, the construction of drinking water treatment facilities, development of groundwater wells, construction of water reservoirs and wastewater treatment facilities.

Barkerville Heritage Site

Extensive work during the past year culminated in the signing of the 15 year Heritage Site Management Agreement for Barkerville Historic Town. This agreement devolves management of the one remaining operational heritage site from the Province to the Barkerville Heritage Trust. Additional one time funding of $3.65 million for capital and sustaining investments was agreed to by the Province prior to the transfer.

Fraser Valley Regional Growth Strategy

On October 6, 2004, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) adopted the Choices for Our Future Regional Growth Strategy (RGS). The RGS addresses key issues within the FVRD as it wrestles with agricultural land use and development pressures that stem from its proximal location to the Greater Vancouver Regional District, B.C.'s largest urban area. The strategy provides a mechanism to manage land-use related pressures; informs infrastructure investment decision-making and encourages co-operation within and between all orders of government.

Incorporation of Canal Flats

In March 2004, Cabinet approved Letters Patent to incorporate the Village of Canal Flats. Incorporation of B.C.'s 156th municipality followed on June 29, 2004. This incorporation represents the evolution of local government in this community — a transition from improvement district, regional district and provincial responsibility for local services to a local municipal structure governed by a Mayor and Council.

Community Charter Regulatory Best Practices Guide

The Regulatory Best Practices Guide (RBPG) is a web-based information tool designed to encourage the "best" use of the new regulatory powers available to local governments under the Community Charter. This Guide provides local governments with tips for considering whether action (e.g., regulation, imposition of requirements or prohibition) is warranted in any particular matter; and suggests how to assess what the appropriate response may be, what good regulatory practice is, the process for developing sound regulatory schemes and examples of real issues to demonstrate approaches to regulation (e.g., noise, dogs off-leash, business licensing).

Housing, Building and Safety

The Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions

The ministry is working with the Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions, BC Housing and other ministries to develop a provincial strategy that addresses the causes of homelessness and coordinates resources to enable people to live in stable housing and receive the supports they require.

Planning for Housing

The Planning for Housing (2004) report summarizes findings of a 2003 survey of local governments to raise awareness of new and innovative housing initiatives across the province and support local governments in addressing local housing needs.

The ministry is providing support and advice to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) in allocating $2 million in grant money, provided by the provincial government to help local governments develop innovative local solutions and strategies to increase housing and support options for seniors so that they can continue to live in their communities.

Modernisation Project

The ministry launched a department-wide policy project to assess the need to modernise the system by which safety is achieved in the built environment. Baseline data on the current system has been collected and is being analyzed and contrasted with possible future states with the goal of proposing options to optimize the effectiveness of the system.

B.C. Building and Fire Codes

The ministry worked nationally and with other provinces and territories to develop the content of the next edition of the Building and Fire Codes. Through the Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Codes, 1400 code change proposals to the National model codes have been reviewed for policy implications.

Administrative Monetary Penalties

Based on consultation with delegated authorities and stakeholders, a regulation was enacted enabling monetary penalties under the Safety Standards Act . This will improve compliance and enforcement in cases where other measures are not effective.

Hydrogen Technology

The ministry is leading a cross-Canada initiative to facilitate a uniform regulatory regime for hydrogen as a fuel. Harmonization with international codes and standards is a part of this initiative, to support the B.C. and Canadian hydrogen technology sector.

Sprinkler Protection Units

In 2004, the Province provided a $1 million grant to UBCM to purchase and operate three sprinkler protection units. These are mobile trailers with specialized equipment used to protect structures and property during interface fires. These units were deployed successfully during the 2004 fire season and prevented significant property loss. This partnership continues in 2005 with further training of fire personnel and an evaluation study.

Establishment of Ministry Operations (Coordination) Centre

Working in partnership with the fire service, the Provincial Emergency Program and the Ministry of Forests, the Office of the Fire Commissioner established a Ministry Operations (Coordination) Centre. The Centre was activated in the summer of 2004 to enhance provincial efforts to respond to fire emergencies throughout the province and to test the ministry's readiness to support a provincially-declared emergency. This provided an opportunity to test systems and procedures. Changes to training and operating procedures will be implemented in 2005 as a result of this experience.

Aboriginal, Multiculturalism and Immigration

First Citizens' Forum

The third annual First Citizens' Forum held in 2004/05 focused on Aboriginal youth. The Forum is an annual one-day event, hosted by the Premier and attended by Cabinet, that provides a cross-section of Aboriginal community representatives an opportunity to discuss issues of concern with provincial politicians.

Aboriginal Employment Partnership Initiative (AEPI)

The AEPI aims to reduce barriers and enhance opportunities for employment and the economic participation of Aboriginal people through a collaborative approach with employer partners. The number of partnerships under the AEPI was increased in 2004/05.

Provincial Aboriginal Social-Economic Strategy (PASES)

The ministry continued to work with provincial ministries and Aboriginal political and social organizations on the development of a Provincial Social-Economic Strategy, a cross-government, horizontal initiative to improve Aboriginal social and economic outcomes and to improve how government works with Aboriginal people.

Vancouver Agreement

A new five-year Vancouver Agreement was developed with the City of Vancouver and federal government that will focus on Inclusive Commitments for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Homelessness, with priorities related to economic revitalization, improved health and safety of residents, and improved living conditions.

Victoria Urban Development Agreement

The ministry launched a process to develop a Victoria Urban Development Agreement with the federal government and the City of Victoria for fall 2005 signing, and began the initial discussions with both the City of Surrey and City of Prince George in response to their expressed interest in tripartite partnerships that focus on inner-city issues within those cities.

Strategy to Improve the Social and Economic Benefits of Cultural Diversity in British Columbia

Government approved in March 2005 a Strategy to Improve the Social and Economic Benefits of Cultural Diversity in British Columbia that outlines objectives and activities to ensure effective multicultural service delivery (including multiculturalism and anti-racism initiatives), fulfilling the Minister of State's accountability.

Multicultural Advisory Council

Following a series of consultations with stakeholders, the Multicultural Advisory Council released the Strategic Framework for Action: A Strategy to Stimulate Joint Action on Multiculturalism and the Elimination of Racism in B.C., and a Dialogue on Multiculturalism was held in February 2005.

Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Cooperation on Immigration

A renewed five-year Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Cooperation on Immigration was signed in April 2004. Under the new Agreement, the Provincial Nominee Program is maintained and strengthened, with new funding for enhanced language training; special initiatives are outlined to attract business immigrants and international students; and a joint federal-provincial commitment is made to support immigration in smaller cities and communities.

A Strategic Framework to Enhance the Social and Economic Benefits of Immigration to British Columbia

The Framework was developed and implementation is underway. The new Strategy builds on current activities and details new initiatives in support of the Provincial Nominee Program, regional immigration, international students, and labour market attachment.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

In 2004/05, the PNP exceeded all targets and will continue to do so through the implementation of a new expansion plan. Highlights of the plan include: increasing marketing initiatives, expediting work permits for business and skilled nominees, and significantly increasing the number of nominees per year. The PNP will also reach out to new sectors, including self-employed persons and skilled tradespeople.

BC Skills Connect for Immigrants Program

Career attachment opportunities for immigrants accelerated in 2004/05 through direct support to regulatory bodies, professional and trades associations, and employers to ensure immigrants have an equal opportunity to work in jobs for which they are qualified. A new BC Skills Connect for Immigrants Program was introduced to provide integrated career assessment, planning and employment bridging to support expedited labour market entry for immigrants.

Women's and Seniors' Services

Stopping the Violence Services

Significant work went into planning for service enhancements and new services to implement $12.5 million in additional program funding in 2005/06. This planning, and the new funding, will fill gaps in service for women who have experienced violence, and their children. In 2004/05, the ministry also provided: $200,000 in computer technology upgrades for service providers to ensure women using the services have access to a computer to deal with housing, employment and other information needs; $200,000 in Child Health and Safety grants to service providers supporting children, such as transition houses and agencies providing Children who Witness Abuse counselling; and $600,000 for 12 projects relating to prevention of violence against women and girls, ranging from a project to teach school-age children about healthy relationships to a conference on the needs of older women who have experienced abuse.

Women's Services

The Minister of State's accountability was fulfilled with presentation to Cabinet in February 2005, of a strategy outlining activities and initiatives that profile and promote women's role in the province's economy. Two new publications for women were launched — "Starting Your Business — A Guide to Resources for BC Women" and "Quick Facts on BC Women".

Seniors' Services

The Minister of State's accountability was fulfilled with presentation to Cabinet in March 2005, of a review of government services for seniors and report on recommendations to improve government planning for an aging population. Seniors' Week was celebrated in June of 2004; the seventh edition of the "Your Guide to Seniors' Programs and Services in BC" was prepared and distributed; and the 1-800 line for information for seniors was launched.