Municipal Powers & Responsibilities

In British Columbia, the authority and role of a municipality are contained within the Community Charter ([SBC 2003] Chapter 26) and the Local Government Act ([RSBC 2015] Chapter 1).

Each Municipality is to provide for the municipal purposes of its community with adequate powers and discretion to address needs. 

Municipal powers/responsibilities within these over-arching provincial statutes that are linked to the objectives and responsibilities of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association include:

Community Charter

• municipal services
• public spaces
• trees
• nuisance (noise, emissions…)
• noxious or offensive activity

Local Government Act: Land Use

• Official Community Plan
• density and anticipated housing
• industrial uses
• public uses
• greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation