The Province of British Columbia has selected consultants to work on the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative with capital area local governments on exploring ways to integrate services and governance, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender said today.

Two consulting firms, Urban Systems and Circle Square Solutions, will facilitate fact-finding and discussion among local governments in the region to help inform opportunities that support the efficient delivery of services needed by communities and citizens. Dale Wall, a former B.C. provincial government deputy minister, will be project team leader.

Recognizing that local governments make their own decisions about integrated services and governance, the initiative will gather facts and facilitate dialogue between local governments. The Province will not impose an outcome. The consultants will also engage stakeholder organizations to gather feedback on perceptions of the issues and opportunities facing local governments in the area.

One of the first activities for the project team will be to meet with each local government in the capital area to discuss the work ahead and receive input from elected councils and the Capital Regional District board.

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender –

“Local governments are accountable to their taxpayers, so a serious consideration of service and governance integration in the capital area just makes sense. The provincial government is helping to facilitate the discussion among local governments. Following the completion of the consultants’ report, local governments in the region will decide on next steps.”

Quick Facts:

• The Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative is a product of a shared understanding reached between the region’s municipalities and the Province in March, 2016.
• The initiative recognizes the need for more information on service and governance best practices, changes and opportunities. As well, the initiative supports principles of collaboration, consultation and communication.
• Urban Systems and Circle Square Solutions submitted a successful joint proposal through BC Bid, awarded last month, to help implement the initiative.
• The project team will prepare a report including:
  • information on how services are currently delivered in the region;
  • best practices from other local governments; and
  • challenges/opportunities identified by area local governments associated with various approaches to governance and service provision.
• Founded in 1975, Urban Systems is a private company that works with clients to help build prosperous, sustainable, resilient and healthy communities. Urban Systems operates offices in nine B.C. communities.
• Founded in 2013, Circle Square Solutions is a full-service policy and governance consulting firm based in British Columbia. Staff includes George Abbott, former B.C. provincial government minister and Chris Trumpy, former B.C. provincial government deputy minister.
• The Province of British Columbia awarded up to $94,500 to Urban Systems and Circle Square Solutions for their work on the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative.
• An evaluation panel consisting of staff from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and senior staff from capital area local governments selected the joint proposal submitted by Urban Systems and Circle Square Solutions.
• Participants in the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative include the Capital Regional District and 13 area municipalities, as follows:  City of Victoria, City of Colwood, City of Langford, Township of Esquimalt, Town of View Royal, Town of Sidney, District of Oak Bay, District of Saanich, District of Central Saanich, District of North Saanich, District of Metchosin, District of Highlands and the District of Sooke.

Learn More:

Check out the provincial government’s role in supporting communities, sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd