Province to allow for electronic public hearings during current Provincial state of emergency

The Province of British Columbia has offered up some guidance to
City Councils across BC as to how they can explore ways to ensure
for public participation in Council sessions during the provincial state of emergency
related to the COVID-19 outbreak

The province has provided some guidance for municipal leaders on how to ensure that the democratic process can move forward during the current Local State of Emergency, with Selina Robinson the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing outlining some measures that municipalities can take when it comes to community engagement.

The new order under the Emergency Program Act was outlined on Friday, with Minister Robinson set to expand the authority given to local government in order to hold public hearings electronically.

 “Local governments will be a key partner in our recovery effort. Construction and development activities are expected to be a key part of B.C.’s recovery efforts – and building housing, in particular, affordable housing, will contribute to our goal to provide affordable housing for all British Columbians. Amending this order will allow local governments to continue their work on land-use decision-making and keep building their communities for the people they serve.” -- Selina Robinson the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

While not specifying what measures or process that they should use to go about ensuring that engagement; the Province did note that it is expected that Local government continue to encourage public participation during the current period of time.

As public input is an essential part of land-use decision-making, even for those decisions that do not require a public hearing, local governments are still expected to find ways to encourage public participation. 

 Local governments are required to hold public hearings for some development applications before making a decision. A significant delay in processing development applications could result in cost increases or cancelled projects, and could negatively impact the province’s economic recovery. 

Local governments are still expected to find ways to encourage public participation during this time and continue to be as transparent as possible by keeping the public informed on any decisions and procedural changes through their websites and social media. 

 Each local government will need to determine what electronic method works best for it. At the time of public notice, the local government will be expected to provide information on how people can participate in the hearing. Options local governments may consider include calling in and video conferencing. Local governments will also continue to be required to accept written submissions for public hearings, whether in-person or electronic.

The full announcement from Friday by the province can be explored here.

The topic of public engagement came up at the most recent Prince Rupert City Council session of April 27th, that after Prince Rupert council had cancelled the second consecutive Community of the Whole process, which is one of the few vehicles currently in place for residents of the city to raise issues or concerns on the record at Council meetings.

While the Friday notice does not specifically make note the Committee of the Whole process, it was something that the Council members had spoken to last week, with many comments made during the Monday session outlining the value of the public participation that it offers.

So far, there has been no indication from the City as to how they plan to move on the provincial guidance; with no commentary yet to be revealed by the Mayor or City Council members as to how they may incorporate the new orders into their regular public council process or those of Public Hearings.

For more notes on Prince Rupert Council discussion themes see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.