Definitions in relation to this Part

426   In this Part:

"affected local government", in relation to a regional growth strategy,

(a) means a local government whose acceptance of the regional growth strategy

(i) is required under section 436 [acceptance by affected local governments], or

(ii) would be required if that section applied, and

(b) in the case of a regional growth strategy for the Metro Vancouver Regional District, includes the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority continued under the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Act;

"facilitator", in relation to a regional growth strategy, means the facilitator designated by the minister under section 435 [facilitation of agreement during development of regional growth strategy];

"initiate", in relation to a regional growth strategy, means initiation under section 433 [initiation of regional growth strategy process];

"municipality" includes the City of Vancouver;

"official community plan" includes

(a) an official settlement plan under section 809 (3) of the Municipal Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 290, before that section was repealed by section 4 of the Municipal Amendment Act, 1985,

(b) Part 1 of a rural land use bylaw, and

(c) an official development plan under the Vancouver Charter;

"regional context statement" means a regional context statement under section 446 [requirement for regional context statement in municipal official community plans];

"regional matter" means a matter that involves coordination between or affects more than one municipality, more than one electoral area, or at least one of each, in a regional district.

Part also applies to amendment and repeal of regional growth strategy

427   This Part, as it applies to the initiation, development and adoption of a regional growth strategy, applies to the amendment and repeal of a regional growth strategy.

Purpose of regional growth strategy

428   (1) The purpose of a regional growth strategy is to promote human settlement that is socially, economically and environmentally healthy and that makes efficient use of public facilities and services, land and other resources.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), to the extent that a regional growth strategy deals with these matters, it should work towards but not be limited to the following:

(a) avoiding urban sprawl and ensuring that development takes place where adequate facilities exist or can be provided in a timely, economic and efficient manner;

(b) settlement patterns that minimize the use of automobiles and encourage walking, bicycling and the efficient use of public transit;

(c) the efficient movement of goods and people while making effective use of transportation and utility corridors;

(d) protecting environmentally sensitive areas;

(e) maintaining the integrity of a secure and productive resource base, including the agricultural land reserve;

(f) economic development that supports the unique character of communities;

(g) reducing and preventing air, land and water pollution;

(h) adequate, affordable and appropriate housing;

(i) adequate inventories of suitable land and resources for future settlement;

(j) protecting the quality and quantity of ground water and surface water;

(k) settlement patterns that minimize the risks associated with natural hazards;

(l) preserving, creating and linking urban and rural open space, including parks and recreation areas;

(m) planning for energy supply and promoting efficient use, conservation and alternative forms of energy;

(n) good stewardship of land, sites and structures with cultural heritage value.

Content of regional growth strategy

429   (1) A board may adopt a regional growth strategy for the purpose of guiding decisions on growth, change and development within its regional district.

(2) A regional growth strategy must cover a period of at least 20 years from the time of its initiation and must include the following:

(a) a comprehensive statement on the future of the region, including the social, economic and environmental objectives of the board in relation to the regional district;

(b) population and employment projections for the period covered by the regional growth strategy;

(c) to the extent that these are regional matters, actions proposed for the regional district to provide for the needs of the projected population in relation to

(i) housing,

(ii) transportation,

(iii) regional district services,

(iv) parks and natural areas, and

(v) economic development;

(d) to the extent that these are regional matters, targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the regional district, and policies and actions proposed for the regional district with respect to achieving those targets.

(2.1) Unless a board is exempted, or is in a class of local governments exempted, under section 585.11 [application of this Division], the board must consider the most recent housing needs report the board received under section 585.31 [when and how housing needs report must be received], and the housing information on which the report is based,

(a) when developing a regional growth strategy,

(b) when amending a regional growth strategy in relation to actions proposed under subsection (2) (c) (i) of this section, or

(c) when considering a regional growth strategy under section 452 (2).

(3) In addition to the requirements of subsection (2), a regional growth strategy may deal with any other regional matter.

(4) A regional growth strategy may include any information, maps, illustrations or other material.

Area to which regional growth strategy applies

430   (1) Unless authorized under subsection (2) or required by regulation under section 431, a regional growth strategy must apply to all of the regional district for which it is adopted.

(2) On request by the applicable board or boards, the minister may authorize a regional growth strategy that

(a) applies to only part of a regional district, or

(b) is developed jointly by 2 or more regional districts to apply to all or parts of those regional districts.

(3) The minister may establish terms and conditions for a regional growth strategy authorized under subsection (2) or required under section 431.

(4) If the minister considers it necessary or advisable for a regional district service in relation to a regional growth strategy referred to in subsection (3), the minister may, by order, give directions respecting the following:

(a) operation of the service;

(b) sharing of costs;

(c) voting on bylaws and resolutions relating to the service;

(d) the intergovernmental advisory committee;

(e) other matters relating to the regional growth strategy.

(5) To the extent of any inconsistency between this Act and an order under subsection (4), the order prevails.

Regulation requiring regional growth strategy

431   (1) On the recommendation of the minister, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, do one or both of the following:

(a) designate areas for which a regional growth strategy must be developed and adopted;

(b) specify a time period within which the regional growth strategy must be adopted.

(2) The minister must not make a recommendation referred to in subsection (1) unless, in the opinion of the minister, the area to which the regional growth strategy is proposed to apply has been experiencing significant change in its population, its economic development or an aspect of growth or development that involves coordination between local governments or affects more than one local government.

Requirements for adoption

432   (1) The following are required before a regional growth strategy is adopted:

(a) the regional growth strategy must be initiated in accordance with section 433;

(b) consultation must be conducted in accordance with section 434;

(c) the regional growth strategy must be accepted by affected local governments in accordance with section 436, except in relation to an amendment under section 437 [minor amendments to regional growth strategies].

(2) As an exception to subsection (1) (c), a regional growth strategy may be adopted without acceptance in relation to a specific provision if

(a) the provision is included on the basis that it is not binding on the jurisdiction of an affected local government that has refused to accept it, and

(b) the board considers that it is not essential to the regional growth strategy that the provision apply to that jurisdiction.

(3) A provision included under subsection (2) becomes binding on a jurisdiction if, at any time after adoption of the regional growth strategy, the affected local government for the jurisdiction indicates to the board that it accepts the provision.

Initiation of regional growth strategy process

433   (1) The preparation of a regional growth strategy must be initiated by resolution of the board.

(2) If a regional growth strategy is to apply to less than the entire regional district or is to be prepared jointly with another regional district, this must be authorized under section 430 (2) [minister authorization on request] or required under section 431 [regulation requiring regional growth strategy] before the regional growth strategy is initiated.

(3) If, at the time of initiation, the board proposes to deal with an additional regional matter under section 429 (3), the initiating resolution must identify the matter.

(4) The proposing board must give written notice of an initiation under this section to affected local governments and to the minister.

Consultation during development of regional growth strategy

434   (1) During the development of a regional growth strategy,

(a) the proposing board must provide opportunity for consultation with persons, organizations and authorities that the board considers will be affected by the regional growth strategy, and

(b) the board and the affected local governments must make all reasonable efforts to reach agreement on a proposed regional growth strategy.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) (a), as soon as practicable after the initiation of a regional growth strategy, the board must adopt a consultation plan that, in the opinion of the board, provides opportunities for early and ongoing consultation with, at a minimum, the following:

(a) its citizens;

(b) affected local governments;

(c) first nations;

(d) boards of education, greater boards and improvement district boards;

(e) the Provincial and federal governments and their agencies.

(3) In adopting a consultation plan under subsection (2), the board must consider whether the plan should include the holding of a public hearing to provide an opportunity for persons, organizations and authorities to make their views known before the regional growth strategy is submitted for acceptance under section 436 [acceptance by affected local governments].

(3.1) The minister may make regulations respecting the procedure to be used for hearings under subsection (3).

(4) A failure to comply with a consultation plan under subsection (2) does not invalidate the regional growth strategy as long as reasonable consultation has been conducted.

(5) For certainty, at any time during the development of a regional growth strategy, additional regional matters may be included under section 429 (3).

Facilitation of agreement during development of regional growth strategy

435   (1) The minister may appoint facilitators for the purposes of this Part, whose responsibilities are

(a) to monitor and assist local governments in reaching agreement on the acceptance of regional growth strategies during their development by

(i) facilitating negotiations between the local governments,

(ii) facilitating the resolution of anticipated objections,

(iii) assisting local governments in setting up and using non-binding resolution processes, and

(iv) facilitating the involvement of the Provincial and federal governments and their agencies, first nations, boards of education, greater boards and improvement district boards, and

(b) to assist local governments in entering into implementation agreements under section 451.

(2) On being notified that a regional growth strategy has been initiated, the minister may designate a person appointed under subsection (1) as the facilitator responsible in relation to the regional growth strategy.

(3) At any time until the end of the period for acceptance or refusal of the proposed regional growth strategy under section 436 (4) (b), the facilitator is to provide assistance referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section if requested to do so

(a) by the proposing board or an affected local government, or

(b) by an electoral area director of the proposing board, if the request is supported by at least 2 other directors.

(4) Once a facilitator becomes involved under subsection (3), the proposing board and affected local governments must provide information as requested by the facilitator and must otherwise cooperate with the facilitator in fulfilling the facilitator's responsibilities.

Acceptance by affected local governments

436   (1) Before it is adopted, a regional growth strategy must be accepted by the affected local governments or, failing acceptance, become binding on the affected local governments under section 440 (6) [settlement of regional growth strategy in acceptance not otherwise reached].

(2) Acceptance of a regional growth strategy by an affected local government must be done by resolution of the local government.

(3) For the purposes of this section, before third reading of the bylaw to adopt a regional growth strategy, the board must submit the regional growth strategy to the following:

(a) the council of each municipality all or part of which is covered by the regional growth strategy;

(b) the board of directors of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority if the regional growth strategy is for the Metro Vancouver Regional District;

(c) the board of each regional district that is adjoining an area to which the regional growth strategy is to apply;

(d) the facilitator or, if no facilitator for the regional growth strategy has been designated, the minister.

(4) After receiving a proposed regional growth strategy under subsection (3), each affected local government must

(a) review the regional growth strategy in the context of any official community plans and regional growth strategies for its jurisdiction, both those that are current and those that are in preparation, and in the context of any other matters that affect its jurisdiction, and

(b) subject to an extension by the facilitator under section 438 (3), within 60 days of receipt either

(i) accept the regional growth strategy, or

(ii) respond, by resolution, to the proposing board indicating that the local government refuses to accept the regional growth strategy.

(5) An acceptance under subsection (4) (b) becomes effective

(a) when all affected local governments have accepted the regional growth strategy, or

(b) at the end of the period for acceptance or refusal under that subsection if, at the end of that period, all affected local governments have not accepted the regional growth strategy.

(6) If an affected local government fails to act under subsection (4) (b) within the period for acceptance or refusal, the local government is deemed to have accepted the regional growth strategy.

(7) In the resolution under subsection (4) (b) (ii), the affected local government must indicate

(a) each provision to which it objects,

(b) the reasons for its objection, and

(c) whether it is willing that a provision to which it objects be included in the regional growth strategy on the basis that the provision will not apply to its jurisdiction, as referred to in section 432 (2).

(8) An affected local government is deemed to have accepted any provision of the regional growth strategy to which it does not indicate an objection under subsection (7).

(9) All affected local governments are entitled to participate in any non-binding resolution processes used to resolve an objection or anticipated objection by an affected local government.

(10) If an area in a regional district is incorporated as a new municipality and the regional district has adopted a regional growth strategy for all or part of the area of the new municipality, the regional growth strategy is binding on that new municipality.

Minor amendments to regional growth strategies

437   (1) As exceptions to the requirements of section 436 that would otherwise apply to the amendment of a regional growth strategy, a regional growth strategy may be amended

(a) in accordance with provisions under subsection (2) of this section, or

(b) if the regional growth strategy does not include provisions under subsection (2) of this section, in accordance with subsection (3) of this section.

(2) A regional growth strategy may include provisions that establish a process for minor amendments to the regional growth strategy, which must include the following:

(a) criteria for determining whether a proposed amendment is minor for the purposes of allowing the process to apply;

(b) a means for the views of affected local governments respecting a proposed minor amendment to be obtained and considered;

(c) a means for providing notice to affected local governments respecting a proposed minor amendment;

(d) procedures for adopting the minor amendment bylaw.

(3) A board may proceed with a proposed amendment to a regional growth strategy as a minor amendment in accordance with the following:

(a) the board must give notice, including notice that the proposed amendment may be determined to be a minor amendment and the date, time and place of the board meeting at which the amending bylaw is to be considered for first reading, to each affected local government at least 30 days before the meeting;

(b) before first reading of the amending bylaw, the board must allow an affected local government that is not represented on the board an opportunity to make representations to the board;

(c) if, at first reading, the amending bylaw receives an affirmative vote of all board members attending the meeting, the bylaw may be adopted in accordance with the procedures that apply to the adoption of a regional growth strategy bylaw under Division 3 [Voting and Voting Rights] of Part 6 [Regional Districts: Governance and Procedures] and the board's procedure bylaw;

(d) if, at first reading, the amending bylaw does not receive an affirmative vote of all board members attending the meeting, the bylaw may be adopted only in accordance with the procedure established by section 436 [acceptance by affected local governments required].

(4) The following may not be considered a minor amendment for the purposes of this section:

(a) an amendment to a regional growth strategy to establish or amend a process referred to in subsection (2);

(b) an amendment to anything that the minister has established or directed under section 430 (3) or (4) or the Lieutenant Governor in Council has required under section 431;

(c) an amendment to a regional growth strategy proposed as a result of a non-binding resolution process under section 439 (2) (a);

(d) a type of amendment prescribed by regulation.

Resolution of anticipated objections

438   (1) Before the end of the 60 days referred to in section 436 (4) (b) [time for acceptance or refusal], the facilitator may require the proposing board and the affected local governments to identify any issues on which they anticipate that acceptance may not be reached.

(2) If an issue is identified under subsection (1),

(a) the facilitator may require the proposing board and the affected local governments to send representatives to a meeting convened by the facilitator for the purpose of clarifying the issues involved and encouraging their resolution, and

(b) the proposing board and the affected local governments must provide information as requested by the facilitator and must otherwise cooperate with the facilitator in fulfilling the facilitator's responsibilities.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the facilitator may extend the period for acceptance or refusal under section 436 (4) (b) before or after the end of that period.

Resolution of refusal to accept

439   (1) The proposing board must notify the minister in writing if an affected local government refuses to accept a proposed regional growth strategy.

(2) After being notified under subsection (1), the minister must

(a) require a non-binding resolution process to attempt to reach acceptance on the regional growth strategy, or

(b) if satisfied that resolution using a non-binding resolution process under paragraph (a) is unlikely, direct that the regional growth strategy is to be settled under section 440.

(3) If requiring a non-binding resolution process under subsection (2) (a), the minister

(a) must, at the time of requiring the non-binding resolution process, specify a time period within which the parties must begin the resolution process, and

(b) may, before or after the resolution process has begun, specify a time period within which the parties must conclude the resolution process.

(4) The choice of non-binding resolution process under subsection (2) (a) is to be determined by agreement between the proposing board and the affected local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy but, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, the minister must direct which process is to be used.

(5) Any affected local government may participate in a non-binding resolution process under this section.

(6) Unless otherwise agreed by these parties, the fees of any neutral person participating in the non-binding resolution process and the administrative costs of the process, other than the costs incurred by the parties participating in the process, are to be shared proportionally between the proposing board and the affected local governments that participate in the process on the basis of the converted value of land and improvements in their jurisdictions.

(7) An affected local government is deemed to have accepted the provisions of the regional growth strategy that were not changed as a result of a resolution process under subsection (2) (a).

(8) The following apply if changes to a regional growth strategy are proposed as a result of a resolution process under subsection (2) (a):

(a) the regional growth strategy must be submitted again to the affected local governments for acceptance, subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, in accordance with section 436;

(b) an affected local government may not indicate an objection to a provision it is deemed to have accepted under section 436 (8) [no previous objection to provision] or subsection (7) of this section.

(9) If acceptance is not reached within 60 days after a non-binding resolution process under this section is concluded, the regional growth strategy must be settled in accordance with section 440 unless the proposing board and the affected local governments can reach agreement on the provisions of the regional growth strategy before the settlement process is completed.

Settlement of regional growth strategy if acceptance not otherwise reached

440   (1) If acceptance by affected local governments cannot otherwise be reached under this Part, the regional growth strategy is to be settled by one of the following:

(a) peer panel settlement in accordance with section 441 (1);

(b) final proposal arbitration in accordance with section 441 (2);

(c) full arbitration in accordance with section 441 (3).

(2) If more than one affected local government has refused to accept a regional growth strategy, whether the refusals are in relation to the same or different issues, the regional growth strategy is to be settled for all affected local governments in the same settlement proceedings.

(3) The choice of process for settlement is to be determined by agreement between the proposing board and the affected local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy but, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, the minister must direct which process is to be used.

(4) Any affected local government may participate in a settlement process under section 441.

(5) During the 60 days after the provisions of a regional growth strategy are settled under section 441, the proposing board and the affected local governments may agree on the acceptance of a regional growth strategy that differs from the one settled.

(6) At the end of the period under subsection (5), unless agreement is reached as referred to in that subsection, the provisions of a regional growth strategy as settled under section 441 become binding on the proposing board and all affected local governments, whether or not they participated in the settlement process.

Options for settlement process

441   (1) As one option, the provisions of a regional growth strategy may be settled by a peer panel as follows:

(a) the panel is to be composed of 3 persons selected from the applicable list prepared under section 442 (1);

(b) the selection of the panel is to be done by agreement between the proposing board and the affected local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy or, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, by the minister;

(c) subject to the regulations, the panel may conduct the proceedings in the manner it determines;

(d) the panel must settle the disputed issues of the regional growth strategy and may make any changes to the provisions of the regional growth strategy that it considers necessary to resolve those issues;

(e) the panel must give written reasons for its decision if this is requested by the proposing board or an affected local government before the panel retires to make its decision.

(2) As a second option, the provisions of a regional growth strategy may be settled by final proposal arbitration by a single arbitrator as follows:

(a) the arbitrator is to be selected from the applicable list prepared under section 442 (1);

(b) the selection of the arbitrator is to be done by agreement between the proposing board and the affected local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy or, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, by the minister;

(c) subject to the regulations, the arbitrator must conduct the proceedings on the basis of a review of written documents and written submissions only, and must determine each disputed issue by selecting one of the final written proposals for resolving that issue submitted by one of the participating parties;

(d) the provisions of the regional growth strategy will be as settled by the arbitrator after incorporation of the final proposals selected by the arbitrator under paragraph (c);

(e) no written reasons are to be provided by the arbitrator.

(3) As a third option, the provisions of a regional growth strategy may be settled by full arbitration by a single arbitrator as follows:

(a) the arbitrator is to be selected from the applicable list prepared under section 442 (1);

(b) the selection of the arbitrator is to be done by agreement between the proposing board and the affected local government or governments that refused to accept the regional growth strategy or, if the minister considers that these parties will not be able to reach agreement, by the minister;

(c) subject to the regulations, the arbitrator may conduct the proceedings in the manner the arbitrator determines;

(d) the provisions of the regional growth strategy will be as settled by the arbitrator, who is not restricted in a decision to submissions made by the parties on the disputed issues;

(e) the arbitrator must give written reasons for the decision.

General provisions regarding settlement process

442   (1) Lists of persons who may act on a panel under section 441 (1), as an arbitrator under section 441 (2) or as an arbitrator under section 441 (3) are to be prepared by the minister in consultation with representatives of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

(2) Persons who may be included on a list for a panel under section 441 (1) are persons who are or have been elected officials of a local government or who, in the opinion of the minister, have appropriate experience in relation to local government matters.

(3) In the case of a specific regional growth strategy, a person may not be appointed to a panel or as an arbitrator if the person is, or was at any time since the regional growth strategy was initiated, an elected official of the proposing board or of an affected local government for the regional growth strategy.

(4) Subject to a direction by the panel or arbitrator or to an agreement between the parties, the fees and reasonable and necessary expenses of the members of a peer panel or arbitrator and the administrative costs of the process, other than the costs incurred by the parties participating in the process, are to be shared proportionally between the proposing board and the affected local governments that participate in the process on the basis of the converted value of land and improvements in their jurisdictions.

(5) The directors of the electoral areas to which the regional growth strategy is proposed to apply and the Provincial government may make representations in the settlement process, subject to any conditions set by the panel or arbitrator.

(6) The time limit for bringing any judicial review of a decision of a panel or arbitrator under section 441 is the end of the period for agreement under section 440 (5) [60 days after provisions settled by panel or arbitrator].

(7) The minister may make regulations regarding settlement processes under section 441, which may be different for different settlement processes, including regulations

(a) respecting matters that a panel or arbitrator may or must consider,

(b) respecting the authority of a panel or arbitrator to settle a regional growth strategy, and

(c) respecting the authority of a panel or arbitrator to require the cooperation of local governments in relation to the settlement processes.

Adoption of regional growth strategy

443   (1) A regional growth strategy must be adopted by bylaw.

(2) As soon as practicable after adopting a regional growth strategy, the board must send a copy of the regional growth strategy to

(a) the affected local governments,

(b) any greater boards and improvement districts within the regional district, and

(c) the minister.

Requirement to adopt finalized regional growth strategy

444   (1) If a proposed regional growth strategy has been accepted by the affected local governments or has become binding under section 440 (6), but has not been adopted by the proposing board, on the recommendation of the minister, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, specify a time period within which the board must adopt the regional growth strategy.

(2) If the board does not adopt the regional growth strategy within the time period specified under subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, deem the regional growth strategy to have been adopted by the board, in which case it applies as if it had been adopted by a valid bylaw of the board.

Regional district must conform with regional growth strategy

445   (1) All bylaws adopted by a regional district board after the board has adopted a regional growth strategy, and all services undertaken by a regional district after the board has adopted a regional growth strategy, must be consistent with the regional growth strategy.

(2) All bylaws adopted by a greater board or an improvement district board after the adoption of a regional growth strategy applicable to its jurisdiction, and all works and services provided by a greater board or an improvement district board after the adoption of a regional growth strategy applicable to its jurisdiction, must be consistent with the regional growth strategy.

(3) A regional growth strategy does not commit or authorize a regional district, municipality, greater board or improvement district to proceed with any project that is specified in the regional growth strategy.

Requirement for regional context statements in municipal official community plans

446   (1) If a regional growth strategy applies to all or part of the same area of a municipality as an official community plan, the official community plan must include a regional context statement that is accepted in accordance with this Division by the board of the regional district for which the regional growth strategy is adopted.

(2) After a regional growth strategy is adopted, the requirement under subsection (1) must be fulfilled by the applicable council submitting a proposed regional context statement to the board within 2 years after the regional growth strategy is adopted.

(3) If a regional growth strategy is binding on a new municipality under section 436 (10) [municipal corporation within regional district area] and the regional growth strategy applies to all or part of the same area of the municipality as an official community plan, the requirement under subsection (1) of this section must be fulfilled by the council submitting a proposed regional context statement to the board within the earlier of the following:

(a) the period established by the Lieutenant Governor in Council by letters patent;

(b) 2 years after the municipality was incorporated.

Content of regional context statement

447   (1) A regional context statement must specifically identify

(a) the relationship between the official community plan and the matters referred to in section 429 (2) [required content for regional growth strategy] and any other regional matters included under section 429 (3) [additional content], and

(b) if applicable, how the official community plan is to be made consistent with the regional growth strategy over time.

(2) A regional context statement and the rest of the official community plan must be consistent.

Board acceptance of proposed regional context statement

448   (1) The council must

(a) submit a proposed regional context statement required under this Division for acceptance by the board,

(b) submit any amendments to the regional context statement for acceptance by the board, and

(c) review the regional context statement at least once every 5 years after its latest acceptance by the board and, if no amendment is proposed, submit the statement to the board for its continued acceptance.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the board must respond by resolution within 120 days after receipt indicating whether or not it accepts the regional context statement or amendment and, if the board refuses to accept the regional context statement or amendment, indicating

(a) each provision to which it objects, and

(b) the reasons for its objection.

(3) If the board fails to act under subsection (2) within the period for acceptance or refusal under that subsection, the board is deemed to have accepted the regional context statement or amendment.

Settlement of proposed regional context statement

449   The following sections, as they apply to acceptance of a regional growth strategy by an affected local government and adoption by the regional district board, apply to the acceptance of a regional context statement by the board and adoption by the municipal council:

(a) section 435 [facilitation of agreement];

(b) section 438 [resolution of anticipated objections];

(c) section 439 [resolution of refusal to accept];

(d) section 440 [settlement of regional growth strategy];

(e) section 441 [options for settlement process];

(f) section 442 [general provisions regarding settlement process];

(g) section 444 [requirement to adopt finalized regional growth strategy].

Intergovernmental advisory committees

450   (1) A board

(a) may establish an intergovernmental advisory committee for its regional district,

(b) must establish an intergovernmental advisory committee for its regional district when a regional growth strategy is initiated, and

(c) must establish an intergovernmental advisory committee for its regional district if

(i) there is a proposed amendment to the regional growth strategy, except in relation to an amendment under section 437 [minor amendments to regional growth strategies], and

(ii) the committee established under paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection no longer exists.

(2) The role of an intergovernmental advisory committee is

(a) to advise the applicable local governments on the development and implementation of the regional growth strategy, and

(b) to facilitate coordination of Provincial and local government actions, policies and programs as they relate to the development and implementation of the regional growth strategy.

(3) The membership of an intergovernmental advisory committee is to include the following:

(a) the planning director of the regional district, or another official appointed by the board;

(b) the planning director, or another official appointed by the applicable council, of each municipality all or part of which is covered by the regional growth strategy;

(c) for the purposes of an intergovernmental advisory committee established in the Metro Vancouver Regional District, the planning director of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority or another official appointed by the board of directors of that authority;

(d) senior representatives of the Provincial government and Provincial government agencies and corporations, determined by the minister after consultation with the board;

(e) representatives of other authorities and organizations if invited to participate by the board.

Implementation agreements

451   (1) Without limiting section 263 [regional district corporate powers] of this Act or section 8 (1) [natural person powers of municipalities] of the Community Charter, a local government may enter into agreements respecting the coordination of activities relating to the implementation of a regional growth strategy.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the Provincial government may enter into agreements under subsection (1) respecting Provincial commitments to act consistently with a regional growth strategy and to take actions necessary to implement a regional growth strategy.

(3) In addition to agreements with the Provincial government and its agencies, agreements under subsection (1) may be made with the federal government and its agencies, other local governments, first nations, boards of education, greater boards, the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, improvement district boards and other local authorities.

Regular reports and review of regional growth strategy

452   (1) A regional district that has adopted a regional growth strategy must

(a) establish a program to monitor its implementation and the progress made towards its objectives and actions, and

(b) prepare an annual report on that implementation and progress.

(2) At least once every 5 years, a regional district that has adopted a regional growth strategy must consider whether the regional growth strategy must be reviewed for possible amendment.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the regional district must provide an opportunity for input on the need for review from the persons, organizations and authorities referred to in section 434 (2) [required consultations during development of regional growth strategy].

Provincial policy guidelines

453   (1) The minister may establish policy guidelines regarding the process of developing and adopting regional growth strategies.

(2) The minister, or the minister together with other ministers, may establish policy guidelines regarding the content of regional growth strategies.

(3) Guidelines under subsection (1) or (2) may be established only after consultation by the minister with representatives of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

Minister may require official community plans and land use bylaws

454   After a regional growth strategy has been adopted, the minister may require a municipality or regional district to adopt, within a time period specified by the minister, an official community plan, a zoning bylaw or a subdivision servicing bylaw for an area that is covered by the regional growth strategy and to which no such plan or bylaw currently applies.