Temporary pandemic related tools will become permanent to help local governments.
This includes allowing people to participate in meetings and public hearings online. The legislative changes will provide municipalities and regional districts in B.C. with new permanent authorities, that will include holding virtual or hybrid meetings. The changes will come into effect once the Covid-19 emergency authorities for electronic meetings and public hearings are lifted.
New legislation will amend the Community Charter, the Local Government Act, the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act (No.4.) and the Vancouver Charter. This legislation will, expand eligibility for mail ballot voting by bylaw in local government elections; permit improvement districts greater flexibility with the timing of their annual general meetings and trustee terms. As well as creating new ministerial authorities for borrowing in emergency situations and elections administration matters.
The amendments are based on the experiences local governments had as they adapted to the new way of carrying out work during the pandemic.
Comments