Once again, I would like to thank the residents of the Village of Lions Bay for your patience and understanding. In a relatively brief period council has made significant progress toward our election platforms. We look forward to restoring a functioning democratic council with the upcoming By-Election.
By-Election
We are pleased that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs is considering a Ministerial Order to ensure a democratic election is conducted in a timely manner for in our Village of Lions Bay.
I first reached out to Municipal Affairs on December 7th, 2022 for feedback on organizing a by-election and providing assistance to our Village.
During our February 16th Special Council Meeting a motion to post by-election information was “defeated”, which resulted in us failing to meet our statutory requirements to hold a By-Election. With the approval of council, I have reached out to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs requesting assistance on a By-Election to ensure our most fundamental right of democracy is maintained. See letter below…
February 17, 2023
Patrick Thompson, LL.B., M.U.P. (he/him)
Director, Governance and Structure Branch • Ministry of Municipal Affairs
236.478.2344
Dear Patrick,
I first reached out to your office on December 7th for feedback in organizing a by-election as one of our councilors had tendered his resignation just four weeks after our fall election.
Further to our telephone calls and emails this week (15th & 16th), I called a Special Meeting of Council of Lions Bay February 15th to approve election documentation prior to sending them out to your Ministry and posting the documents in order to meet the statutory deadlines under legislation to hold the Village of Lions Bay’s By-Election scheduled for April 15th, 2023. Unfortunately, Councilors Abbott and Reuter voted to block the sending out of the election registration documents.
The democratic process is being frustrated. This may result in the residents of the Village being denied their rights to have a fully elected Council to carry on the business of managing the Village affairs in a timely manner and in accordance with the governing legislation. If this election is delayed further, I am concerned that the Village will not meet the statutory requirement to approve a budget by May 15th, 2023.
As requested by you, I have enclosed a proposal from Laurie Nixon-Darcus. Grant McRadu, former CAO of West Vancouver and the CAO of Village of Lions Bay has also referred Mark Brown as a potential replacement for our Chief Election Officer.
As Mayor I would welcome the Deputy Inspector for the Ministry to visit our Village and meet with Council on the election issue. I would also welcome (with the approval of Council), your offer to fund a facilitator to meet/work with Council regarding the appointment of a new Elections Officer and getting the election process on track.
Most importantly, I am reaching out to your Ministry for assistance to ensure the democratic process can move forward in a timely manner.
Respectfully yours,
Ken Berry, Mayor
The Village of Lions Bay
The Municipality of the Village of Lions Bay www.lionsbay.ca
PO Box 141, 400 Centre Road, Lions Bay, BC V0N 2E0 , Canada
Village Office (604) 921-9333 | Fax (604) 921-6643
As a follow up to the February 17th letter to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, council also attended a meeting with the Ministry on Thursday February 23rd, 2023. The Ministry recommended we hold a special meeting to approve their assistance in our by- election. We will hold a special meeting this evening, Friday, February 24th, 2023 to seek approval on the following resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT Council request the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to cancel the Lions Bay By- Election process initiated on January 31, 2023 and restart the By-Election process as soon as possible;
THAT Council request the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to appoint a Chief Election Officer and a Deputy Chief Election Officer; and
THAT Council request the assistance of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to provide a Municipal Advisor to the Village of Lions Bay.
We look forward to the Minister of Municipal Affair’s involvement to move the by-election forward in a timely manner to ensure that the Village of Lions Bay will be able to meet the statutory requirement to approve a budget by May 15th, 2023.
Budget
Finance Committee is active and will advise on the Budget which will be a key focus of Council in the immediate future. They will also be kept up to date on our investments and overall financial accountability as outlined in the Terms of Reference.
Acting CAO is moving forward with his many tasks in addition to his Acting CFO responsibilities and has a Budget prepared for Council review very shortly. We are very fortunate to have Mr Ron Miller step in on very short notice in an Interim capacity to keep our Village moving forward.
Beach Park
Beach Park Committee met Thursday, February 23rd, and is moving forward with the Beach Park Revitalization, see the exciting update in the issue of the Village Update.
In summary
Lions Bay has a history of passionate, spirited, and vigorous debate. I ask that you focus on issues that matter to you and seek information which Council will provide when available. Please be respectful, kind and value your neighbours’ opinions as you would hope they will value yours.
Thank you,
Ken Berry, Mayor
Village of Lions Bay