Provincial guide provides advice

A guide published by the provincial government contains extensive advice about setting up and maintaining development corporations.

Launching and Maintaining a Local Government Corporation, A Guide for Local Officials 2006, is based on requests received by the Inspector of Municipalities to incorporate separate corporations or acquire shares in corporations.

Municipal and regional district powers have expanded through the Local Government Act and the Community Charter. “The changes have emphasized a balance between the broader powers and autonomy given local government and greater transparency of council decision-making and accountability to the electorate,” the guide states.

Of particular interest are suggestions and advice to involve the public.

“Before incorporating, council should consider what involvement the electorate will have in the process,” according to the guide. Options include a referendum, public meetings, advertising, consultation or other means.

Copies of the proposed plans for the incorporation should be available to the public, including the business plan, and people should be given an opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

The guide also states that an annual information meeting be held.

The City of Powell River has two development corporations, the Powell River Waterfront Development Corporation (PRWDC) and Powell River Power Development Corporation.

PRWDC, established in 2003, entered into a limited liability partnership with Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation and Catalyst Paper Corporation in 2006 to form PRSC Land Developments Ltd.

The power development corporation is a new partnership with Tla’amin formed to pursue the development of a run-of-river hydroelectric project on Freda Creek.

Mayor Dave Formosa said he was unaware of the guide until the Peak brought it to his attention, along with a series of questions. “Answers to those questions and comments will be forthcoming,” he said.

Formosa also said the Freda Creek project with Tla’amin has been fairly public. “I mentioned it when I was running for mayor,” he said. “It’s been discussed and talked about at open meetings, including the committee of the whole and council.”

As well, the city and Tla’amin hosted an open meeting about the project in October 2012, designed to provide more information to Powell River Regional District officials about the Freda Creek project, Formosa said. “It’s not like it’s something we’re hiding,” he said, adding that now that he has a copy of the guide, he’s going to read it.

Click here to read the guide.