How did we get to 13 municipalities?
by Bernard von Schulmann
Why do communities incorporate? There are different reasons, but the underlying interest is that local people want local control over their community.
1862 - Victoria
Victoria was incorporated in 1862 by the Legislature of Vancouver Island. This was the only incorporation passed through the Legislature of Vancouver Island before Confederation in 1867, when the Legislature of British Columbia was created.
The powers of the City of Victoria in 1862 were limited. For example, the City was not allowed to any power over land use.
Until the turn of the century there was little movement towards more incorporation in the region, but changes came shortly after the turn of the century.
1905 to 1911 - Sidney 1.0 a short term failed peninsula municipality
The second municipality to incorporate in the region was Sidney, and it included what is now North Saanich. Given the distance and travel modes from Victoria, incorporation may have been desirable at the time, but he municipality was dissolved in 1911 as it was not viable.
1906 Oak Bay and Saanich - if Victoria does not want us.....
Meanwhile the people of Oak Bay and Saanich wanted to join the City of Victoria, but Victoria resisted these overtures due to fears about additional costs. The debate continued for a number of years until the residents of Saanich and Oak Bay incorporated each of their respective municipalities in 1906.
1912 Esquimalt
Esquimalt had a defined core and a different history with the creation of the Canadian Navy in 1910 and the transfer of the base from Great Britain to Canada.
From 1912 to 1950 the region had four municipalities.
1950 Central Saanich breaks free from the tyranny of Saanich
Central Saanich was formerly Ward 6 of Saanich but seceded in 1950 to become Central Saanich. The farming community of that ward felt it was not well represented by the core of Saanich, which was becoming a suburb of the City of Victoria.
1952 Sidney 2.0
Sidney incorporated in 1952 due to population growth and expectations for more growth resulting from the new airport. North Saanich was not part of Sidney this time.
1956 and 1965 North Saanich
North Saanich came into existence in 1956, first as a Fire Prevention District and then as a municipality in 1965. With the creation of North Saanich, the core and peninsula was totally comprised of several municipal governments.
From 1965 to 1984 the region had seven municipalities.
It was a lengthy process for the west shore region to incorporate. Numerous studies were completed and votes were taken, but incorporation did not occur. One reason is that it is not financially beneficial to incorporate in BC. The Province funds many of the costs for unincorporated regions, such as roads and policing, therefore incorporation was associated with increased taxes.
Another major issue was boundary selection of new municipalities, as various divisions already existed for planning purposes, land management and Fire Protection District communities.
1984 Metchosin, 1985 Colwood, 1988 View Royal
In the mid 1980s the first municipalities were formed on the west shore: Metchosin in 1984 and Colwood in 1985. In 1988, View Royal was formulated from the lands sandwiched between between Esquimalt, Saanich and Colwood.
1992 Langford
Langford was a sticking point in the incorporation movement on the west shore. At least three votes occurred before 1985 on separate incorporation and on joining Colwood. Langford finally incorporated in 1992.
1993 Highlands
A year later the Highlands incorporated, possibly because of resistance to joining Langford and to control land development.
1999 Sooke
Sooke was the final incorporation in the region. Sooke is a viable municipality and could have been incorporated earlier, but given the number of roads in Sooke, the cost of incorporation was potentially more expensive.
Since 1999 there has been 13 municipalities, which many feel are too many for Greater Victoria. The creation of more municipalities is doubtful, although there are two potentials.
East Sooke was not willing to join Sooke. With its population of 1,500, it is not much smaller than the Highlands.
The population of Shirley/Jordan River is approximately 700, which would, if incorporated, be the smallest municipality in the CRD based on population. But it would not be the smallest municipal population in BC, as there are 20 municipalities with smaller populations. The recent decision by the CRD to build a municipal hall in Shirley raises the possibility of incorporation.
by Bernard von Schulmann
Why do communities incorporate? There are different reasons, but the underlying interest is that local people want local control over their community.
1862 - Victoria
Victoria was incorporated in 1862 by the Legislature of Vancouver Island. This was the only incorporation passed through the Legislature of Vancouver Island before Confederation in 1867, when the Legislature of British Columbia was created.
The powers of the City of Victoria in 1862 were limited. For example, the City was not allowed to any power over land use.
Until the turn of the century there was little movement towards more incorporation in the region, but changes came shortly after the turn of the century.
1905 to 1911 - Sidney 1.0 a short term failed peninsula municipality
The second municipality to incorporate in the region was Sidney, and it included what is now North Saanich. Given the distance and travel modes from Victoria, incorporation may have been desirable at the time, but he municipality was dissolved in 1911 as it was not viable.
1906 Oak Bay and Saanich - if Victoria does not want us.....
Meanwhile the people of Oak Bay and Saanich wanted to join the City of Victoria, but Victoria resisted these overtures due to fears about additional costs. The debate continued for a number of years until the residents of Saanich and Oak Bay incorporated each of their respective municipalities in 1906.
1912 Esquimalt
Esquimalt had a defined core and a different history with the creation of the Canadian Navy in 1910 and the transfer of the base from Great Britain to Canada.
From 1912 to 1950 the region had four municipalities.
1950 Central Saanich breaks free from the tyranny of Saanich
Central Saanich was formerly Ward 6 of Saanich but seceded in 1950 to become Central Saanich. The farming community of that ward felt it was not well represented by the core of Saanich, which was becoming a suburb of the City of Victoria.
1952 Sidney 2.0
Sidney incorporated in 1952 due to population growth and expectations for more growth resulting from the new airport. North Saanich was not part of Sidney this time.
1956 and 1965 North Saanich
North Saanich came into existence in 1956, first as a Fire Prevention District and then as a municipality in 1965. With the creation of North Saanich, the core and peninsula was totally comprised of several municipal governments.
From 1965 to 1984 the region had seven municipalities.
It was a lengthy process for the west shore region to incorporate. Numerous studies were completed and votes were taken, but incorporation did not occur. One reason is that it is not financially beneficial to incorporate in BC. The Province funds many of the costs for unincorporated regions, such as roads and policing, therefore incorporation was associated with increased taxes.
Another major issue was boundary selection of new municipalities, as various divisions already existed for planning purposes, land management and Fire Protection District communities.
1984 Metchosin, 1985 Colwood, 1988 View Royal
In the mid 1980s the first municipalities were formed on the west shore: Metchosin in 1984 and Colwood in 1985. In 1988, View Royal was formulated from the lands sandwiched between between Esquimalt, Saanich and Colwood.
1992 Langford
Langford was a sticking point in the incorporation movement on the west shore. At least three votes occurred before 1985 on separate incorporation and on joining Colwood. Langford finally incorporated in 1992.
1993 Highlands
A year later the Highlands incorporated, possibly because of resistance to joining Langford and to control land development.
1999 Sooke
Sooke was the final incorporation in the region. Sooke is a viable municipality and could have been incorporated earlier, but given the number of roads in Sooke, the cost of incorporation was potentially more expensive.
Since 1999 there has been 13 municipalities, which many feel are too many for Greater Victoria. The creation of more municipalities is doubtful, although there are two potentials.
East Sooke was not willing to join Sooke. With its population of 1,500, it is not much smaller than the Highlands.
The population of Shirley/Jordan River is approximately 700, which would, if incorporated, be the smallest municipality in the CRD based on population. But it would not be the smallest municipal population in BC, as there are 20 municipalities with smaller populations. The recent decision by the CRD to build a municipal hall in Shirley raises the possibility of incorporation.