{"id":83491,"date":"2026-04-08T14:39:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T21:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/?post_type=engagement&#038;p=83491"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:41:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T21:41:57","slug":"okanaganfalls","status":"publish","type":"engagement","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/okanaganfalls\/","title":{"rendered":"Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group engage-banner has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fbda80\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top\">Engagement is open until April 30, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#6a8da1\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2380\" height=\"1252\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-83496\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1.jpg\" style=\"object-position:51% 100%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"51% 100%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1.jpg 2380w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1-1024x539.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1-768x404.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1-1536x808.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1-2048x1077.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-1-1200x631.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2380px) 100vw, 2380px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\"><div class=\"engagement-content-wrapper\"><h1 class=\"engagement-title-banner \" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/themes\/bcgov-engagement\/dist\/images\/blue-curve-bg.svg)\">Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\">Home<\/a>\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a> \n                  <span>\n        Municipal Incorporation Process for Okanagan Falls\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On this page:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#summary\" title=\"\">Engagement summary<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contribution\" title=\"\">What are Letters Patent?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#last-incorporation\" title=\"\">When was the last municipal incorporation in B.C.?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#upon-incorporation\" title=\"\">What happens when a new municipality incorporates?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#osoyoos-indian-band\" title=\"\">Why is the Osoyoos Indian Band involved in the incorporation process, and what is its involvement?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#name\" title=\"\">Why is the discussion about the municipal name taking place now?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#name\" title=\"\">What name possibilities are under consideration?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#dual\" title=\"\">How does a dual name work?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#mail\" title=\"\">Will my mailing address be affected by a new name?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#boundary\" title=\"\">Is the boundary for the new municipality still under discussion?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#decisions\" title=\"\">Who would make the decisions for the new municipality?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#participation\" title=\"\">How will community members have an opportunity to be involved?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#development-services\" title=\"\">How would development services be impacted? Would the development process change?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#other-services\" title=\"\">Would other services be impacted?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#transition\" title=\"\">What happens during the transition period before incorporation?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-call-to-action\"><div class=\"cta-header\"><p class=\"cta-status status-open\" aria-label=\"Status: open\">open<\/p><p class=\"days-left-message\"><\/p><\/div><div class=\"cta-body\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca\/823744?lang=en\">Take the online survey<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca\/348723?lang=en\">Sign up for updates<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Survey is open until April 30<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dates:<\/strong> April 8 to April 30<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"remove-bottom-margin\"><strong>Who: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Residents of the community of Okanagan Falls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Osoyoos Indian Band<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What: <\/strong>The municipal incorporation process for the Okanagan Falls community<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong> Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Electoral Area D<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why:<\/strong> To provide updates on the process and ensure it continues to have community input<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How: <\/strong>Online, in-person<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-engagement_category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\"><strong>Category: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/families-and-residents\/\" rel=\"tag\">Families and Residents<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/reconciliation-initiatives\/\" rel=\"tag\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"engagement-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/02\/OK-Falls-Incorporation-2.jpg);background-position:57.99999999999999% 35%\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary\">Engagement summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2025, residents of the Okanagan Falls community voted for incorporation (to become a new municipality). The next step in the incorporation process is a decision to issue Letters Patent (see: <a href=\"#letters-patent\" title=\"\">What are Letters Patent?<\/a>) for a new municipality.&nbsp;Work is continuing toward this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.gov.bc.ca\/releases\/2025HMA0066-000781\" title=\"\">Read the March 22, 2025 news release<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For incorporation to&nbsp;proceed,&nbsp;the&nbsp;process is expected to follow these phases, as shared in August 2025:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Development of Letters Patent&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appointment of interim Corporate Officer and Chief Election Officer (after completion of Letters Patent)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Election of mayor and council during the general local election (October 17, 2026)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incorporation date (the date of the first council meeting in early November 2026)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ministry of Housing and Municipal&nbsp;Affairs, with a provincial facilitator,&nbsp;is working with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and consulting with the Osoyoos Indian Band, seeking consent in the development of the Letters Patent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Questions and comments can be emailed to: <a href=\"mailto:MunicipalIncorporation@gov.bc.ca\">MunicipalIncorporation@gov.bc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/governments\/local-governments\/facts-framework\/systems\/municipalities\" title=\"\">municipalities in B.C.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"letters-patent\">What are Letters Patent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/governments\/local-governments\/facts-framework\/legislative-framework\/letters-patent\">Letters Patent<\/a> are the establishing legal document, or \u201cbirth certificate,\u201d&nbsp;of a local government.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Letters Patent set out the basics \u2013 including its name, boundaries and date of incorporation \u2013 and they transfer community services such as water, sewage treatment, and fire protection from the regional district to the new municipality.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once they come into effect, the new municipality can exercise any municipal authority and must&nbsp;observe&nbsp;any requirements&nbsp;established&nbsp;by legislation (such as the Local Government Act, the Community Charter, the Heritage Conservation Act and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"last-incorporation\">When was the last municipal incorporation in B.C.?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This&nbsp;municipal&nbsp;incorporation&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;the first&nbsp;in B.C. in 15 years. The last time a new municipality was incorporated was the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality in 2010.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the last ten years, two other communities considered incorporation: Salt Spring Island and Sorrento\/Blind Bay. In the referendums that took place, residents of both areas voted to not&nbsp;proceed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"upon-incorporation\">What happens when a new municipality incorporates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Incorporation&nbsp;generally consolidates&nbsp;local services provided by a regional district (i.e., water, sewer, land use planning) and key provincial government services (i.e., road maintenance, tax collection) under a new municipal organization. This new municipality then becomes financially responsible for those services (i.e., through taxes).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of representation, rather than having a single Electoral Area Director for their rural area, municipalities are governed by an elected municipal council that is made up of a mayor and 4 to 10 councillors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on the size of the community and consultation with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, the Province is considering a council of one mayor and four councillors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once incorporated, a new municipality would also be represented on the board of the regional district by one or more appointed directors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"osoyoos-indian-band\">Why is the Osoyoos Indian Band involved in the incorporation process, and what is its involvement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The area proposed for municipal incorporation lies within&nbsp;Osoyoos Indian Band territory&nbsp;and&nbsp;includes unresolved land claims going back to pre-Confederation. This area also includes Osoyoos Indian Band\u2019s historic Dog Lake Indian Reserve No. 2, which was&nbsp;allotted in 1877,&nbsp;alongside&nbsp;the&nbsp;permanent fishing village known in nqilx\u02b7c\u0259n\/nsyilxc\u0259n&nbsp;as&nbsp;\u0161x\u02b7\u0259x\u030c\u02b7nitk\u02b7&nbsp;(little falls).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an important fishing and&nbsp;former village site, the area&nbsp;contains&nbsp;cultural heritage and archeological resources throughout&nbsp;that are of&nbsp;strong cultural and historical significance to Osoyoos Indian Band and&nbsp;the broader Syilx Okanagan Nation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Declaration Act, the Province consults with First Nations that may be impacted by the change of governance.&nbsp;Also,&nbsp;involving Osoyoos Indian Band in the incorporation process will build&nbsp;a strong foundation&nbsp;for a constructive&nbsp;and collaborative relationship between the new municipality and Osoyoos Indian Band.&nbsp;This will help bring the certainty that all parties are looking for.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"name\">Why is the discussion about the municipal name taking place now?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Naming is a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;the incorporation of&nbsp;a new municipality&nbsp;and needs to be in the&nbsp;Letters Patent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A name represents community identity, and we have heard feedback from many community members about the importance of the community\u2019s name to them. Naming options for the Letters Patent reflect public sentiment, our shared partnerships, and the history of people and the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okanagan Falls is&nbsp;located&nbsp;within the traditional territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) People \u2013 represented in the immediate area by the Osoyoos Indian Band, who have lived in and cared for this area for thousands of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"name\">What name possibilities are under consideration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Province is considering a dual English and nqilx\u02b7c\u0259n\/nsyilxc\u0259n name for the municipality &#8211; one that retains &#8220;Okanagan Falls&#8221; as part of the name and recognizes the area&#8217;s shared history and future. There are many examples of provincial parks with dual names (like \u023d\u00c1U,WELN\u0331EW\u0331\/John Dean Park in southern Vancouver Island).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We look forward to further engagement with the regional district and community members about this once more information is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dual\">How does a dual name work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The official municipal name of the municipality in Letters Patent would have to be used in its entirety on certain legal documents. For instance, contracts&nbsp;between the municipality and another party.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At a practical level, for most daily tasks residents could use either the English or nqilx\u02b7c\u0259n\/nsyilxc\u0259n name, or both. For example, addressing mail with either \u201cOkanagan Falls\u201d or the nqilx\u02b7c\u0259n\/nsyilxc\u0259n name. There would be a small number of situations where the full dual name would be legally required (like legal contracts). In most circumstances, a dual municipal name may be referred to by one name or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the municipality is involved (such as when writing cheques), the legal name should be used. However, using a variation of the name would&nbsp;likely not&nbsp;void a cheque&nbsp;as long as&nbsp;the municipality is clearly identifiable as the payee. For example, a cheque made out to the \u201cDistrict of Summerland\u201d would&nbsp;likely be&nbsp;accepted by a bank even though Summerland\u2019s full name is \u201cThe Corporation of the District of Summerland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses would not need to be renamed. The use of geographic or community names is a descriptive element of a business name. As long as the use of a non-legal name is not confusing it, the business should be able to continue using that name. For example, even though the municipality of Westside became West Kelowna in 2009, many businesses continue to operate under names that include &#8220;Westside,&#8221; &#8220;Westbank,&#8221; and &#8220;West Kelowna.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mail\">Will my mailing address be affected by a new name?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;community&nbsp;name used for mailing purposes is&nbsp;determined&nbsp;by Canada Post. If the new municipality wanted the whole community to be known by a new name, the municipality would need to work with Canada Post to implement the change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a change is made&nbsp;(for example,&nbsp;when&nbsp;the District of North Cowichan wanted to get its own postal identity&nbsp;from Duncan),&nbsp;mail&nbsp;that continues&nbsp;to use&nbsp;a&nbsp;previous name&nbsp;(e.g., \u201cDuncan\u201d)&nbsp;can&nbsp;still be successfully delivered&nbsp;by having the previous&nbsp;name listed as a secondary&nbsp;name in the Canada Post database.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"boundary\">Is the boundary for the new municipality still under discussion?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Municipal boundaries are&nbsp;defined in their Letters Patent, which are&nbsp;passed into law by cabinet.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When considering&nbsp;whether&nbsp;to pass Letters Patent incorporating a municipality, discussions about the boundary&nbsp;are&nbsp;informed by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The incorporation study that concluded in November 2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ongoing provincial engagement with Osoyoos Indian Band and&nbsp;the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Information will be shared with the community as discussions progress and we move closer to municipal incorporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"decisions\">Who would make the decisions for the new municipality?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all other local governments,&nbsp;a&nbsp;new municipal council would&nbsp;be accountable to voters for decisions it is empowered to make under provincial law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;Province is also exploring how Osoyoos Indian Band could&nbsp;engage with&nbsp;a&nbsp;new council as part of a new government-to-government relationship.&nbsp;Many local governments have worked with First Nation partners to enter into agreements on areas of mutual interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/governments\/local-governments\/governance-powers\/powers-services\">More information about municipal powers and service<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/governments\/local-governments\/governance-powers\/powers-services\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"participation\">How will community members have an opportunity to be involved?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;Province&nbsp;is interested in hearing&nbsp;from&nbsp;community members about their interests or concerns relating to the&nbsp;possible&nbsp;incorporation of the new municipality. In the coming months, there will be&nbsp;in-person&nbsp;and online community engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also,&nbsp;after incorporation, there may be opportunities for residents to serve on advisory committees that may be&nbsp;established&nbsp;to provide guidance to council. As with every local government, community members would also have an opportunity to run for office and serve the municipality as an elected member of the new council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"development-services\">How would development services be impacted? Would the development process change?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Development services would&nbsp;become a municipal responsibility and be subject to the bylaws and policies of the new municipal council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only change&nbsp;to development processes&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;subdivision approval, which would transfer from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to the new municipal council.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-services\">Would other services be impacted?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Subject to the&nbsp;Letters Patent, it is anticipated&nbsp;that most regional district services would become municipal services over the next few years. This includes, for instance, water, sewer, and street lighting services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"transition\">What happens during the transition period before incorporation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the transition period leading up to incorporation and the election of a municipal council, an Interim Corporate Officer (ICO) is appointed by the Province to undertake preparations for the inaugural council meeting and the election of the inaugural council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ICO typically manages financial and administrative arrangements, and events and protocols that are observed at or leading up to the inaugural council meeting.&nbsp; This can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choosing the location of the council meeting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial\">Ceremonial and protocol considerations<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial\">Providing an orientation to council procedures<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preparation of a procedure bylaw to be adopted and guide the council meetings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related engagements<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-engagements\">\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Community Advisory Group on Extortion. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety, Multi-language. Status: Open.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-open\">\n                                            Open                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Community Advisory Group on Extortion                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/Extortion-Police-Car.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Daylight Saving Time. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Daylight Saving Time                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/DST-Banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Heritage Conservation Act. Categories: Families and Residents, Land and Water, Natural Resource Sector, Natural Resources, Reconciliation Initiatives. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/heritage-conservation-act\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Heritage Conservation Act                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Land and Water<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resource Sector<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Natural Resources<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Reconciliation Initiatives<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/heritage-conservation-act\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/07\/Heritage-Act-banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Making Family Law Better for Families. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Making Family Law Better for Families                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/FLA-Phase-2-dad-and-kids-hug-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre. Categories: Arts and Culture, Families and Residents, Multi-language, Recreation and Tourism. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/provincial-filipino-cultural-centre\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Arts and Culture<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Recreation and Tourism<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/provincial-filipino-cultural-centre\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2024\/05\/Provincial-Filipino-Cultural-Centre.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: The Future of WorkBC. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Education and Training, Families and Residents. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/the-future-of-workbc\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        The Future of WorkBC                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Education and Training<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/the-future-of-workbc\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/05\/Employment-Services-Banner-sm-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":83496,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","engagement_category":[267,292],"engagement_region":[322],"engagement_status":[47],"engagement_pin_group":[],"class_list":["post-83491","engagement","type-engagement","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","engagement_category-families-and-residents","engagement_category-reconciliation-initiatives","engagement_region-thompson-okanagan","engagement_status-open"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"pinned_engagement_toggle":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/83491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/engagement"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/83491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84131,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/83491\/revisions\/84131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"engagement_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_category?post=83491"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_region?post=83491"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_status?post=83491"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_pin_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_pin_group?post=83491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}