Government has introduced legislation that makes amendments to the Community Charter and the Vancouver Charter.

Highlighting these amendments is legislation to allow all municipalities to send property tax notices electronically. This is an efficient and environmentally friendly way for taxpayers to receive their notices.

Local governments have been asking for this legislation, which is supported by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

Additional amendments will modernize the Vancouver Charter to help create efficiencies and provide more modern and appropriate ways of doing business for both the City of Vancouver and taxpayers. These include:

• Providing the option of being able to pay for parking with a credit card or phone, not just cash.

• Clarifying the City's power to regulate the operating hours for licensed restaurants.

• Closing a loophole in relation to the amount of money to be returned to an unsuccessful purchaser in a tax sale, so they get back no more than their original deposit.

• Authorizing City Council to use up to five years for land-assessment averaging to calculate annual property taxes.

The majority of these changes bring the City of Vancouver's authority into line with all other B.C. municipalities. All amendments are supported by the City of Vancouver.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, Minister, Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"In this digital age, with more and more people doing business online, the big news here is giving municipalities and taxpayers the choice of sending and receiving tax notices electronically. The Vancouver Charter amendments, in response to a City request, tidy up some housekeeping items and bring the charter more into line with the authorities that other municipalities have."

Mary Sjostrom, president, UBCM -

Contact:

Matt Gordon

Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677 (office)
250 896-4923 (mobile)