Sample Letter to Premier Horgan

[Enter Date]

Premier Horgan West Annex Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4

Dear Premier Horgan:

Due to our concern over recent action taken by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing to undermine jurisdiction granted to municipal governments, the Council of [Enter Municipality] endorsed the following resolution on [Enter Date]:

WHEREAS the Community Charter acknowledges that municipalities and their Councils are “democratically elected, autonomous, responsible and accountable”; require the authority to determine the public interest of their communities; and the Local Government Act grants local governments the powers and flexibility required to fulfill their purpose and respond to the needs of their communities;

AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing has taken unilateral action in Maple Ridge that undermines the jurisdiction of the Council of the City of Maple Ridge to determine and represent the public interest of this community, setting a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes the autonomy of all local governments in British Columbia in representing the interests of their communities through fair and accountable public process;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that [Enter Municipality] urges the Province of British Columbia to commit to work in collaboration with local governments within the bounds of their respective jurisdictions on all current and future projects of mutual concern to local governments and the Provincial Government.

We therefore urge the Government of BC to respect local government autonomy and engage in collaborative consultation with municipalities and constituents on any land use or other matters of concern to the Provincial Government.

Yours sincerely,

[Signatory]