Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G

The Community Issues Assessment aims to provide residents with an understanding of the current system of governance in the RDN Electoral Area G, and to identify whether there are any key issues or emerging trends. Depending on the results of the Community Issues Assessment, further study may be considered to assess ways to address them.

Because many of Electoral Area G’s residents live on the outskirts of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, it is not clear to what extent the community understands its current governance and service delivery arrangements, which include a mix of municipal, regional district, provincial, improvement district and private water services. In situations like this, the Ministry recommends that a Community Issues Assessment be undertaken before any further governance work is completed.

The core objectives of the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G are to:

• Identify and describe the different roles, responsibilities and jurisdictions of service providers;
• Assemble information on existing service delivery arrangements and governance relationships;
• Identify current and emerging issues and pressures related to services as seen by residents;
• Better understand how decisions are made and the relationships between service providers;
• Provide opportunities for residents, property owners, improvement district and First Nations to articulate the issues they see in Electoral Area G; and
• Summarize findings for consideration by the RDN Board.

To learn more about this project, visit the Community Issues Assessment for Electoral Area G Get Involved page

Chronology

In June 2021, the Board directed staff to explore the possibility of a restructure study for Electoral Area G in response to community concerns including changing demographics, population growth, confusing boundaries, uneven service mix, and dissatisfaction with service delivery mechanisms.

On September 28, 2021, the Board directed that a Governance and Services Study be requested for Electoral Area G. In November 2021, the RDN submitted a formal request to the Ministry, seeking approval and funding for a Governance and Services Study. 

On March 13, 2024, the Ministry provided a $45,000 grant to the RDN to undertake a community issues assessment in Electoral Area G as an initial step in a potentially longer, phased process.

General Information on Governance and Restructure Studies and Boundary Reviews

The approach of the Province of B.C.'s Ministry of Municipal Affairs to local government structure changes is guided by the principles of inter-jurisdictional collaboration and broad consultation. Incorporation is significant, costly and time-consuming and provincial funding for such initiatives is limited. Click on the steps below to learn more about the incorporation study process, as set out by the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs. More information is also available on the Province's website.