List of municipalities in British Columbia

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Location of British Columbia in Canada British Columbia in Canada 2.svg
Location of British Columbia in Canada
Skyline of Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city Vancouver Concord.jpg
Skyline of Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city
Skyline of Surrey, British Columbia's second largest city and suburb of Vancouver King George Hub District, Surrey 2018.jpg
Skyline of Surrey, British Columbia's second largest city and suburb of Vancouver
Skyline of Burnaby, British Columbia's third largest city and suburb of Vancouver Metrotown 201807.jpg
Skyline of Burnaby, British Columbia's third largest city and suburb of Vancouver
Skyline of Richmond, British Columbia's fourth largest city and suburb of Vancouver Richmond BC Skyline.jpg
Skyline of Richmond, British Columbia's fourth largest city and suburb of Vancouver
Skyline of Abbotsford, the largest city outside of Greater Vancouver Downtownabbotsford.JPG
Skyline of Abbotsford, the largest city outside of Greater Vancouver
Skyline of Coquitlam, British Columbia's sixth largest city and suburb of Vancouver Coquitlam Town Centre Area.jpg
Skyline of Coquitlam, British Columbia's sixth largest city and suburb of Vancouver
Kelowna Skyline, the largest city in the interior of British Columbia Kelowna Skyline.jpg
Kelowna Skyline, the largest city in the interior of British Columbia
Aerial view of Saanich, the largest municipality on Vancouver Island and suburb of the capital Victoria Cadborobay2.jpg
Aerial view of Saanich, the largest municipality on Vancouver Island and suburb of the capital Victoria

British Columbia is the third-most populous province in Canada, with 4,648,055 residents as of 2016, and is the second-largest in land area, [lower-alpha 1] at 922,503 km2 (356,180 sq mi). [2] British Columbia's 162 municipalities cover only

Contents

Within their limited jurisdictions, municipalities are autonomous, responsible and accountable to their citizens, to the province and their future residents in the case for the unpopulated Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality. [3] Their powers and responsibilities are regulated through the Local Government Act of British Columbia, [4] the Community Charter, and, in the case of Vancouver, the Vancouver Charter. They have the power of a natural person, the power to expropriate, and the power to establish and enforce bylaws. They are able to raise funds through property taxes and user fees, and borrow a limited amount through the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia to pay for capital costs. [5]

Municipalities are governed by a mayor and council who are democratically elected every 4 years on the third Saturday in October or appointed by the province such as the council for Jumbo Glacier. [3] The most recent election took place on October 20, 2018; the next election will take place on October 15, 2022. [6] Each municipality is a member of a regional district to which their councils elect representatives. The board of directors of the regional district is used as a forum to discuss regional issues. [5]

To become a municipality, a community, with the assistance of the provincial Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, defines its borders and holds a referendum on the issue. In the case of Jumbo Glacier, a request to incorporate the unpopulated municipality was submitted by the Regional District of East Kootenay. [3] If successful the Cabinet of British Columbia issues a letters patent incorporating the community. Part 2 of the Local Government Act sets out a classification scheme that gives each new municipality a designation. If the population is fewer than 2,500 people the new municipality is designated a village, if between 2,500 and 5,000 a town, and if greater than 5,000 a city. If the new municipality has an area greater than 800 hectares (2,000 acres) and an average population density of fewer than 5 persons per hectare then is it designated a district municipality. The municipality must request change in designation but is not compelled to do so, despite population growth or loss - Greenwood has retained its city status, for example, rather than relinquishing it as other boomtowns of its era have done. There is no longer any legal difference between the designations. [5]

Municipal status types

Cities

A city is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor in Council may incorporate a community as a city by letters patent, under the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if its population is greater than 5,000 and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50% voted in favour of the proposed incorporation. [7]

British Columbia has 51 cities, [8] [9] [10] had a cumulative population of 3,225,473 in the 2016 Census. British Columbia's largest and smallest cities are Vancouver and Greenwood with populations of 631,486 and 665 respectively. [11] The fastest-growing city in British Columbia is Langford, which grew 20.9% between 2011 and 2016, while the fastest-shrinking is Greenwood, which shrunk by 6.1%. [11] The largest city by land area is Abbotsford, which spans 375.55 km2 (145.00 sq mi), while the smallest is Duncan, at 2.07 km2 (0.80 sq mi). [11] The first community to incorporate as a city was New Westminster on July 16, 1860, [8] while the most recent community to incorporate as a city was West Kelowna on June 26, 2015. [10]

District municipalities

A district municipality is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor in Council may incorporate a community as a district municipality by letters patent, under the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if the area is greater than 800 ha (2,000 acres) and has a population density of fewer than 5 people per hectare, and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50% voted in favour of the proposed incorporation. [7]

British Columbia has 50 district municipalities [8] [10] [12] that had a cumulative population of 770,183in the 2016 Census. [11] [13] British Columbia's largest and smallest district municipalities are Langley and Wells with populations of 117,285 and 217 respectively. [11] The fastest-growing district municipality in British Columbia is Invermere, which grew 14.8% between 2011 and 2016, while the fastest-shrinking is Tumbler Ridge, which shrunk by 26.7%.

Of British Columbia's current 50 district municipalities, the first to incorporate as a district municipality was North Cowichan on June 18, 1873, while the most recent community to incorporate as a district municipality was the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) on February 6, 2009. [8] [12] Although portrayed as a regional municipality in its official name, the NRRM is actually classified as a district municipality. [12]

Indian government districts

The lone Indian government district was granted by the federal Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act and provincial Sechelt Indian Government District Enabling Act to the Sechelt Indian Government District which governs the Sechelt Indian Band lands consisting of 33 former Indian reserves. [14] [15] [16]

Island municipalities

If the community wishing to incorporate is located within a trust area under the Island Trust Act, it must incorporate as an island municipality. [17] A single island municipality designation has been granted to Bowen Island.

Mountain resort municipalities

A mountain resort municipality designation is granted by the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development through the Local Government Act if there exists alpine ski lift operations, year-round recreational facilities, and commercial overnight accommodations. There are two mountain resort municipalities in British Columbia: Sun Peaks and Jumbo Glacier.

Resort municipalities

A single resort municipality designation has been granted to Whistler by the Resort Municipality of Whistler Act. [18]

Towns

A town is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor in Council may incorporate a community as a town by letters patent, under the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if its population is greater than 2,500 but not greater than 5,000 and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50% voted in favour of the proposed incorporation. [7]

British Columbia has 14 towns [8] that had a cumulative population of 91,022 in the 2016 Census. [11] British Columbia's largest and smallest towns are Comox and Port McNeill with populations of 14,028 and 2,337 respectively. View Royal and Port McNeill are the fastest-growing and fastest-shrinking towns in the province, growing by 10.9% and shrinking by 6.7% respectively between 2011 and 2016. [11] Of British Columbia's current 14 towns, the first to incorporate as a town was Ladysmith on June 3, 1904, while the most recent community to incorporate as a town was View Royal on December 5, 1988. [8]

Villages

A village is a classification of municipalities used in British Columbia. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor in Council may incorporate a community as a village by letters patent, under the recommendation of the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, if its population is not greater than 2,500 and the outcome of a vote involving affected residents was that greater than 50% voted in favour of the proposed incorporation. [7]

British Columbia has 42 villages [8] that had a cumulative population of 44,473 in the 2016 Census. [11] [13] British Columbia's largest and smallest villages are Cumberland and Zeballos with populations of 3,753 and 107 respectively. [11] Keremeos and Port Clements are the fastest-growing and fastest-shrinking villages in the province, growing by 12.9% and shrinking by 25.4% respectively between 2011 and 2016. [11] Of British Columbia's current 42 villages, the first to incorporate as a village was Kaslo on August 14, 1893, while the most recent community to incorporate as a village was Queen Charlotte on December 5, 2005. [8]

List of municipalities

Former municipalities

Communities in British Columbia that once held their own municipal status include Aennofield, Alberni, Brocklehurst, Chapman Camp, Columbia, Cranberry Lake, Dewdney, Dufferin, Fort Nelson, Fraser Mills, Glenmore, Guisachan, Kinnaird, Marysville, Matsqui, Mission City, Natal, Nicomen Island, North Kamloops, Phoenix, Point Grey, Sandon, South Fort George, South Vancouver, Sumas, Tadanac, Valleyview and Westview. [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] The majority of these former municipalities ceased to exist as a result of amalgamation with or annexation by another municipality. [21] [22] [23] Others, such as Phoenix and Sandon, [26] [27] were dissolved from their municipal status as a result of population decline, while Dewdney dissolved due to financial reasons. [24]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Although British Columbia is the second-largest province in land area, it is third-largest in total area after accounting for its freshwater area. [1]

Related Research Articles

Saanich, British Columbia District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

The District of Saanich is a district municipality on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, within the Greater Victoria area. The population was 114,148 at the 2016 census, making it the most populous municipality in the Capital Regional District and Vancouver Island, and the eighth-most populous in the province. The district adopted its name after the Saanich First Nation, meaning "emerging land" or "emerging people". The District acts as a bedroom community immediately to the north of Victoria, British Columbia.

Sooke District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Sooke is a district municipality on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Canada, 38 kilometres by road from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Sooke, the westernmost of Greater Victoria's Western Communities, is to the north and west of the Sooke Basin.

Sunshine Coast Regional District Regional district in British Columbia, Canada

The Sunshine Coast Regional District of British Columbia is located on the southern mainland coast, across Georgia Strait from Vancouver Island. It borders on the Powell River Regional District to the north, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to the east, and, across Howe Sound, the Metro Vancouver District to the south. The regional district offices are located in the District Municipality of Sechelt.

Highlands, British Columbia District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

The District of Highlands is a district municipality near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. As one of the Western Communities or West Shore municipalities outside Victoria, Highlands has a population of 2,225 as of 2016. The region stretches along the Saanich Inlet shoreline from north of Goldstream to Mackenzie Bight. One of the more undeveloped areas of the Greater Victoria region, it is one of the newest Greater Victoria municipalities created within the Capital Regional District.

Sechelt District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

The District Municipality of Sechelt is located on the lower Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Approximately 50 km northwest of Vancouver, it is accessible from mainland British Columbia by a 40-minute ferry trip between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale, and a 25-minute drive from Langdale along Highway 101, also known as the Sunshine Coast Highway. The name Sechelt is derived from the Sechelt language word, shishalh, the name of the First Nations people who first settled the area thousands of years ago.

Lake Country District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Lake Country is a district municipality with a population of approximately 15,000 in the Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. It is a part of the Central Okanagan Regional District, and of the Kelowna metropolitan area. The city of Kelowna lies to the south, while the city of Vernon lies to the north. As its name suggests, there are a number of lakes in the vicinity of Lake Country, and outside the municipal boundaries in the hills to the east. Okanagan Lake defines the western boundary of the municipality, while the entirety of Wood Lake and the southernmost portion of Kalamalka Lake are encompassed by it.

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM), formerly the Northern Rockies Regional District (NRRD), and before that the Fort Nelson-Liard Regional District, is a municipality in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Although portrayed as a regional municipality in its official name, it is actually classified as a district municipality. The NRRM's offices are located in Fort Nelson, formerly an incorporated town that amalgamated with the NRRD on February 6, 2009 to form the NRRM. With the Peace River Regional District as the southern part, it was the northern part of the Peace River-Liard Regional District, which was split into two on October 31, 1987.

A district municipality is a designation for a class of municipalities found in several locations, including Canada, Lithuania, and South Africa.

Coldstream, British Columbia District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Coldstream is a district municipality in British Columbia, Canada, located at the northern end of Kalamalka Lake in the Okanagan Valley. Incorporated on December 21, 1906, Coldstream celebrated its centennial in 2006. The municipality is directly southeast of Vernon and is considered part of Greater Vernon. It is a member municipality of, and also the location of the head offices, of the Regional District of North Okanagan.

Spallumcheen District municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Spallumcheen is a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Located in the Okanagan region between Vernon and Enderby, the township had a population of 5,055 and land area of 255.77 square kilometres (98.75 sq mi) in the Canada 2011 Census. The district, whose official name is the Township of Spallumcheen and which is the oldest rural municipality in the British Columbia Interior, consists primarily of agricultural land surrounding the separately incorporated City of Armstrong. Both Spallumcheen and Armstrong are member municipalities of the Regional District of North Okanagan.

West Kelowna City in British Columbia, Canada

West Kelowna, formerly known as Westbank and colloquially known as Westside, is a city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The city encompasses several distinct neighbourhoods, including Casa Loma, Gellatly, Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Rose Valley, Westbank, and West Kelowna Estates. West Kelowna had an estimated population of 34,883 as of December 31, 2018.

Sun Peaks, British Columbia Mountain resort municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Sun Peaks is a mountain resort municipality in British Columbia, Canada. It was incorporated on June 28, 2010. It is built around Sun Peaks Resort. It is located 55 kilometers northeast of Kamloops and 410 kilometers from Vancouver. The municipality has a resident population of 616 people, with an additional 900 + non-resident property owners.

Sechelt Indian Government District is a municipality in the Sunshine Coast region of southwest British Columbia, Canada. It was incorporated on March 17, 1988. The district consists of 33 separate pieces of land, of which 32 are located within the Sunshine Coast Regional District and the remaining piece located within the Powell River Regional District.

Jumbo Glacier, British Columbia Mountain resort municipality in British Columbia, Canada

Jumbo Glacier, also known as Jumbo, is a mountain resort municipality within the Regional District of East Kootenay in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately 55 km (34 mi) west of Invermere near the Commander Glacier and around the headwaters of Jumbo Creek in the Purcell Range of the Columbia Mountains.

A resort municipality is a type of municipal status in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. British Columbia also has a related municipal status type of mountain resort municipality.

References

  1. "Land and freshwater area, by province and territory". Statistics Canada. February 1, 2005. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Jumbo becomes mountain resort municipality". Government of British Columbia. November 20, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  4. ↑ British Columbia Queens Printer (1996). "Local Government Act" . Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  5. 1 2 3 Union of British Columbia Municipalities. "Local Government in British Columbia: A Community Effort" (PDF). 2006 Edition. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2007-07-01.Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ "Municipal Election Schedule in Canada". Intergovernmental Committee on Urban and Regional Research. December 15, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Local Government Act: Part 2 — Incorporation of Municipalities". Government of British Columbia Queen's Printer. November 12, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council: Order in Council No. 513" (PDF). Province of British Columbia. September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 "Order in Council No. 357". Province of British Columbia. June 26, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (British Columbia)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 "Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (Order in Council No. 033)" (PDF). Province of British Columbia. January 29, 2009. p. 3. Retrieved September 20, 2014. The class of the municipality is a district municipality.
  13. 1 2 "Population and dwelling count amendments, 2016 Census". Statistics Canada. January 16, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Statistics Relating to Regional and Municipal Governments in BC 2011" (PDF). Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act" (PDF). Minister of Justice. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Sechelt Indian Government District Enabling Act". Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Island Trust Act". Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Resort Municipality of Whistler Act". Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  19. "Resume of Orders in Council: Volume 39, Number 21 (Order in Council 760)". British Columbia Queen's Printer. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  20. "Resume of Orders in Council: Volume 37, Number 8 (Order in Council 158)". British Columbia Queen's Printer. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  21. 1 2 "Municipal Census Populations (1921-2011)". BC Stats. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  22. 1 2 "Name Details: Brocklehurst (Community)". GeoBC. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  23. 1 2 "Name Details: Grand Forks (City)". GeoBC. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  24. 1 2 "Profiles of Historic Sites: Dewdney Community". Mission District Historical Society, Heritage Places Branch. March 14, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Profiles of Historic Sites: Nicomen Island Community". Mission District Historical Society, Heritage Places Branch. December 6, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  26. 1 2 "Name Details: Phoenix (Abandoned Locality)". GeoBC. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  27. 1 2 "From Boom to Bust in 20 Years: Sandon's History as an Incorporated City". Sandon Museum. Retrieved June 26, 2013.

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