Regional Growth Strategies implementation and monitoring

Implementation tools

Once a regional growth strategy has been adopted, all subsequent regional district bylaws and all works and services undertaken by the regional district must be consistent with the strategy. Monitoring programs and annual reports help regional districts evaluate progress on regional growth strategy goals. Regional districts may also periodically amend their regional growth strategies.

Implementation agreements

A regional district cannot implement a regional growth strategy on its own and requires the cooperation and assistance of municipalities, the B.C government, First Nations, boards of education, other organizations, and in the case of the Metro Vancouver Regional District, a representative from TransLink appointed by the TransLink board of directors. Local governments have the authority to enter into implementation agreements with other local governments, levels of government and agencies to implement the actions and policies of the regional growth strategy.

Regional context statement

Municipalities must update their official community plans within two years of the adoption of the regional growth strategy to include a regional context statement. The regional context statement sets out the relationship between the regional growth strategy and the official community plan and how they will be made compatible over time.

The statement is subject to acceptance by the regional district, to ensure the municipality and the region agree that the two documents are compatible. Dispute resolution processes are available to resolve disagreements if they arise.

Monitoring an adopted Regional Growth Strategy

Regional districts must:

• Establish a monitoring program following the adoption of a regional growth strategy
• Prepare an annual report for the public at least once every five years
• Consider whether the strategy should be reviewed

Minor amendments

Regional districts may make minor amendments to a regional growth strategy but must ensure that amendments that substantially change the vision and direction of the strategy are accepted by all affected local governments. This ensures that:

• The vision of a regional growth strategy is sustained
• Day-to-day technicalities can be dealt with efficiently
• Substantive policy decisions can be discussed and decided

Regional issues assessments

A regional issues assessment is a joint municipal/provincial government review of the issues affecting local governments in the area. In consultation with provincial government agencies, other organizations and the public, consensus is reached on issues, linkages and priorities. Possible follow-up actions such as a regional growth strategy, inter-jurisdictional agreements, joint community planning, local government restructuring or infrastructure investment are identified and agreed upon.