The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative report.

The report was completed earlier this year to inform potential discussions amongst area local governments, following the 2014 local government elections where residents in some communities were asked about their interest in amalgamated services or governance.

The report, commissioned by the previous provincial government in spring 2016, is largely focused on profiles of the 16 key services delivered by local governments in the Capital region, such as police, fire, water, recreation and housing.

While the report does not provide specific, detailed recommendations for the region to make decisions on greater service integration or amalgamation, it highlights three key findings for local governments to consider:

• Continuing to build on in-progress regional service initiatives.
• Creating a regional framework for discussing services integration and governance.
• Evaluating new opportunities for improving service integration and governance using tools provided in the report.

Local governments that want to pursue greater integration can use the report findings to stimulate discussion within their councils, boards and communities.

The Province will not impose any actions on local governments as result of the report but will focus on working with the 13 municipal councils and the regional district to make services more available and affordable.

British Columbia’s government is working to identify opportunities to support local governments and its citizens, and the Province will continue to provide advice and support for local governments as needed.

The Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative report is available online:

• Executive summary: http://ow.ly/Nck130mGVHv

• Full report: http://ow.ly/rAq130mGVIx