Series GR-3635 - Local government bylaw advice and approvals

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Local government bylaw advice and approvals

General material designation

  • textual record
  • cartographic material
  • technical drawing
  • graphic material

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of the series

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Series

Reference code

GR-3635

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Edition statement of responsibility

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Statement of scale (cartographic)

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1914-2010 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

67.6 m of textual records, maps and photographs

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1978-1986)

Biographical history

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs was established in 1978 as the successor to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (OIC 3018/78). The ministry was responsible for administration, review and processing of by-laws relative to municipalities, regional districts, and improvement districts; evaluation of administrative practices and procedures, including financial management, of local governments; special programs respecting building regulations; and regional planning processes for municipalities and regional districts. The Transit Services Division provided transit management services and administered the Transit Services Demand and Supply Programs. It also administered the Islands Trust. Following a government-wide restructuring in August 1986, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs became known as the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Transit (OIC 1499/86).

Name of creator

(1934-1976)

Biographical history

The Dept. of Municipal Affairs was established in 1934 with the enactment of the Department of Municipal Affairs Act (SBC 1934, c. 52). Prior to that, municipal matters had been administered by a municipal branch of the Dept. of the Attorney-General.

The Dept. of Municipal Affairs was responsible for administration, review and processing of by-laws relative to municipalities, regional districts, and improvement districts; evaluation of administrative practices and procedures, including financial management, of local governments; special programs respecting building regulations; and regional planning processes for municipalities and regional districts.

In 1976, the mandate and functions of the Dept. of Housing and the Dept. of Municipal Affairs were merged and the department was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (OIC 3199/76).

Name of creator

(1988-1991)

Biographical history

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs was established in 1934 under its first name, the Dept. of Municipal Affairs, with the enactment of the Department of Municipal Affairs Act (SBC 1934, c. 52). Prior to that, municipal matters had been administered by a municipal branch of the Dept. of the Attorney-General.

The Dept. of Municipal Affairs was responsible for administration, review and processing of by-laws relative to municipalities, regional districts, and improvement districts; evaluation of administrative practices and procedures, including financial management, of local governments; special programs respecting building regulations; and regional planning processes for municipalities and regional districts.

In 1976, the mandate and functions of the Dept. of Housing and the Dept. of Municipal Affairs were merged and the department was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (OIC 3199/76). Shortly thereafter, it was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (OIC 3018/78) when the housing function was transferred to the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing. The remaining functions included administrative services, financial management, and planning services to municipalities, regional and improvement districts. Transit Services Division provided transit management services and administered the Transit Services Demand and Supply Programs. It also administered the Islands Trust. Following a government-wide restructuring in August 1986, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs became known as the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Transit (OIC 1499/86). A few months later, in November 1986, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (OIC 1904/86).

In 1988, all functions relating to culture, recreation and historic resources of the Ministry of Tourism, Recreation and Culture, were transferred to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. As a result of these changes, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture (OIC 1310/88).

In 1991, all functions relating to culture were transferred from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture to the Ministry of Tourism (OIC 1375/91). At the same time, the housing functions of the Ministry of Social Services and Housing were transferred and merged with the functions relating to municipal affairs (OIC 1376/91). As a result of these changes, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture became the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing.

Name of creator

(1991-1993)

Biographical history

In 1991, all functions relating to culture were transferred from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture to the Ministry of Tourism (OIC 1375/91). At the same time, the housing functions of the Ministry of Social Services and Housing were transferred and merged with the functions relating to municipal affairs (OIC 1376/91). As a result of these changes, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture became the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing.

In 1993, all functions relating to recreation and housing were transferred to the newly established Ministry of Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services (OIC 1216/93). With this change, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Name of creator

(1996-1998)

Biographical history

In 1996, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing when the functions relating to housing were transferred back to it when the Ministry of Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services was disestablished (OIC 205/96). In 1998, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (OIC 177/98).

Name of creator

(1986-1988)

Biographical history

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs was established in 1934 under its first name, the Dept. of Municipal Affairs, with the enactment of the Department of Municipal Affairs Act (SBC 1934, c. 52). Prior to that, municipal matters had been administered by a municipal branch of the Dept. of the Attorney-General.

The Dept. of Municipal Affairs was responsible for administration, review and processing of by-laws relative to municipalities, regional districts, and improvement districts; evaluation of administrative practices and procedures, including financial management, of local governments; special programs respecting building regulations; and regional planning processes for municipalities and regional districts.

In 1976, the mandate and functions of the Dept. of Housing and the Dept. of Municipal Affairs were merged and the department was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (OIC 3199/76). Shortly thereafter, it was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (OIC 3018/78) when the housing function was transferred to the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing. The remaining functions included administrative services, financial management, and planning services to municipalities, regional and improvement districts. Transit Services Division provided transit management services and administered the Transit Services Demand and Supply Programs. It also administered the Islands Trust. Following a government-wide restructuring in August 1986, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs became known as the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Transit (OIC 1499/86). A few months later, in November 1986, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (OIC 1904/86).

In 1988, all functions relating to culture, recreation and historic resources of the Ministry of Tourism, Recreation and Culture, were transferred to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. As a result of these changes, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture (OIC 1310/88).

Name of creator

(1993-1996)

Biographical history

In 1993, all functions of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing relating to recreation and housing were transferred to the newly established Ministry of Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services (OIC 1216/93). With this change, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. In 1996, the functions relating to housing were transferred back which led to the ministry being renamed as the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (OIC 205/96).

Name of creator

(1998-2001)

Biographical history

In 1998, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing was renamed the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (OIC 177/98). In 2001, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was renamed as the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services (OIC 565/01). Functions from the following disestablished ministries were also added: Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs; Ministry of Immigration and Multiculturalism; Ministry of Women's Equality; Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture; and Ministry of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers.

Name of creator

(2001-2005)

Biographical history

In 2001 the Ministry of Municipal Affairs was renamed the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services (OIC 565/2001). Functions from the following disestablished ministries were also added: Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs; Ministry of Immigration and Multiculturalism; Ministry of Women's Equality; Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture; and Ministry of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers.

In 2005, the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services was renamed the Ministry of Community Services, and functions related to Aboriginal Affairs were transferred to the newly created Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (OIC 450/2005).

Name of creator

(2005-2008)

Biographical history

The Ministry of Community Services was formed in 2005 to replace the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services (OIC 450/2008). The new ministry was responsible for all of the functions of the former ministry with the exception of the functions relating to First Nations and Treaty Negotiations which were transferred to the newly created Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. The mandate of the Ministry of Community Services was to promote livable and sustainable communities. It did this by collaborating with First Nations, municipalities, regional districts, in accordance with the Community Charter and Local Government Act; providing advice and resources to local governments to plan for sustainable development and to address for social issues; work with groups to address women's and seniors issues. The Ministry of Community Services was replaced in 2008 by the Ministry of Community Development (OIC 430/2008).

Name of creator

(2008-2009)

Biographical history

The Ministry of Community Development was established in 2008 (OIC 430/2008). The new ministry brought together most of the functions from the previous Ministry of Community Services. In 2009 it was renamed the Ministry of Community and Rural Development (OIC 281/2009).

Name of creator

(2009-2010)

Biographical history

In 2009 the Ministry of Community Development was renamed the Ministry of Community and Rural Development (OIC 281/2009). The new ministry continued with many of the same functions from the previous Ministry of Community Development such as supporting competitive regional and local economies across British Columbia to be sustainable and socially responsible. In 2010 the Ministry of Community and Rural Development was renamed the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (OIC 652/2010).

Custodial history

Scope and content

The series consists of records concerning bylaw advice and approvals (by the Province) for municipalities, villages, improvement districts and dissolved improvement districts. They include minister's orders, statutory approvals, and minister's authorizations of municipal and regional district bylaws and other requests.

These records show how the legal authority of the provincial government over local governments has been exercised over time. The records provide a history of the information, growth, structure, and activities of local government in British Columbia throughout most of the twentieth century, as well as documenting provincial government influence over these matters.

The series includes correspondence of the Inspector of Municipalities and of the Director of Municipal Administration division, regarding matters such as letters patent; election procedures; municipal status; capital loan bylaws; budget and tax rate bylaws; reserve fund bylaws; rates, charges and frontage tax bylaws; borrowing bylaws, and traffic bylaws.

The records include certificates of approval, with attachments such as the related bylaw or correspondence outlining the reasons for the requests for ministerial approval. They also include the minister’s approval register, which provides a summary of and index to ministerial approvals of municipal and regional district bylaws and other requests. The register contains the approval number, date of approval, name of municipality or regional district, and purpose of the bylaw. Records include lot plans, subdivision plans and other cartographic materials, and a small number of photographs.

The series also consists of records relating to the registration of village bylaws. From 1920 to August 17, 1998, villages were required to register their bylaws with the inspector of municipalities. This requirement began with the Village Municipalities Act (SBC 1920, c.65) and continued under the Municipal Act (s. 259(2). With the coming into force of Bill 31 in 1998, villages were no longer required to register their bylaws. They are now only required to submit for approval the same type of bylaws as other municipalities (e.g. loan authorization and security issuing bylaws).

Document types include various approved registered bylaws from municipalities, signed by the Minister and Inspector of Municipalities. Included are village bylaws, bylaws for villages that changed their status, and newly incorporated municipalities that were registered from 1920 to 1998, with attachments such as fee schedules or agreements.

Shannon files are boxed and contain at the front of the file a “resume” (index) of ministerial approvals arranged by approval number and date. They include the relevant municipality or regional district, purpose of the approval, and relevant act and section of act. These records are arranged alphabetically by name of municipality then numerically by bylaw number.

The series also consists of records of dissolved improvement districts, also created by various ministries and departments with the municipal affairs function. Within those departments and ministries, a division and office was responsible for local government services, and specifically responsible for overseeing the affairs of improvement districts throughout the province, including those handling waterworks, fire protection, and irrigation and drainage.

Records regarding the improvement districts include but are not limited to: first organization and letters patent, by-laws and their amendment, financial statements and annual returns, and dissolution of the improvement district. Improvement district records are located in accessions 88-0618, 91-0125 and 91-0296.

While some of the records were scheduled according to the Operational Records Classification System for Local Government Services (schedule 126379), many were classified by earlier systems.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Transferred from Ministry of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development and its predecessors at various intervals between 1994 and 2016.

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Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

There are no restrictions on access

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

File list: http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Document/Finding_Aids_Atom/GR-3501_to_GR-4000/GR-3635.pdf
Item list available for 935468-0001 to 935468-0014. Consult reference archivist for details.

Associated materials

Related materials note: see GR-3656 for related records

Related materials

Accruals

General note

Accession numbers: 88-0618, 91-0125, 91-0296, 91-1157, 91-1158, 91-1516, 91-2765, 91-8638, 92-0695, 92-0696, 93-5468, 93-5295

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