Letter from Mayor Taft, District of Invermere regarding 'Towns with no People'

March 15, 2013

Mayor Graham Hill Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Ave Victoria, BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Graham Hill,

Re: UBCM Executive needs to take action on the concept of towns with no people and appointed councils

For discussion at an open meeting of council or board

The District of Invermere passed the following resolution at our regular meeting of Council on February 26th:

WHEREAS the Resolution B55 was endorsed by the vast majority of delegates at the 2012 UBCM convention;

AND WHEREAS the response provided by the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development does not address the concerns and clear position taken by the membership of UBCM;

AND WHEREAS the recently created Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality will not be eligible for membership to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities because the council is not elected, thereby violating the position taken by B55, generally undermining the reputation and credibility of British Columbia Local Governments, and destroying the 100% membership of local governments record the UBCM is very proud of having;

AND WHEREAS the West Kootenay Community Ecosociety has submitted a petition to court requesting a judicial review of the constitutionality of and the consultation around the creation of a municipality without an electorate or population and with an appointed council, and that this issue directly affects local governments and the UBCM;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the UBCM executive be encouraged to waive the normal policy of the UBCM not being involved in legal issues until the appeal process, and the UBCM submit an application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia seeking intervention status in the case between the Ecosociety and the Province of British Columbia and Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality

AND THAT IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that every local government of British Columbia be sent this resolution and asked to send their support for the UBCM to be involved in this important legal proceeding, and that they be encouraged to express their concern to the Government of the Province of British Columbia for the precedent set by establishing a municipality with no population and with an appointed council.

As background information, resolution B55 from the September 2012 UBCM convention and the Provincial response are attached, along with the letters patent creating the Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality (JGMRM).

We strongly believe that having towns without residents and without elected councils threatens democratic principles and the credibility of local governments and the positions of "elected officials" in the Province British Columbia. We also believe there are serious concerns around the fettering of council discretion and around guaranteed development rights as seems to be suggested in the letters patent for JGMRM. It also seems unsustainable to have municipalities exists for an undetermined length of time with no tax base being completely reliant on Provincial Government grants to fund their operations. It also seems that the UBCM is weakened as an organization and loses credibility by not having 100% membership. We appreciate your support regarding this important issue, and ask that you please write to the UBCM executive encouraging them to take action on this item.

Sincerely,

Gerry Taft Mayor District of Invermere